Managed by the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and located immediately in front of the main Central Committee compound, this imposing edifice was opened in December 2000 in honour of Laos’ great revolutionary leader and former President, Kaysone Phomvihane (1920-1992). Born in Savannakhet, Kaysone became an active revolutionary while studying in Hà Nội during the 1940s. In 1955 he was instrumental in setting up the LPRP at Samnuea in northern Laos, and in the years which followed he led communist forces against the Americans. After their victory he served as Prime Minister from the founding of the Lao PDR in 1972 until 1991, when he was appointed President. He died the following year. The museum in his honour was built in monumental style with financial assistance from Việt Nam. The exterior is designed in traditional Lao style but the interior layout is strongly reminiscent of that of the Hồ Chí Minh Museum in Hà Nội. There are two stories: the upper storey comprises a central statue hall, surrounded by exhibition rooms with dioramas and displays which trace the great man’s life and career in the context of the Lao revolutionary history; at the present time displays have no English or French translations. The lower level contains meeting rooms and other facilities for visiting cadres and school/community groups. A shop near the main entrance sells books, leaflets and souvenirs. After touring the museum visitors can travel to the Former President Kaysone Phomvihane Memorial Museum Historic Area, located approximately one kilometre from the museum, where the former President's living and working quarters from 1975-1978 may be viewed: