Savannakhet

Provinces

Southern Provinces

Savannakhet

Savannakhet Province

Last Updated on Monday, 29 March 2010 10:52

laos map savanhnaket

This pretty town with its old French Colonial structures lies along Route 13 on the way to Pakse. It is a quiet town on the banks of the Mekong River opposite Mukdahan, Thailand. A second Friendship Bridge, which was built in 2000, now joins the two cities. Savannakhet Province, after which the city is named, stretches the width of Laos from Vietnam to Thailand. This strategic position allows for a great deal of cross border trade between these Asian neighbours.

The town itself resembles a small French town, with similar structures surrounding a central market place. It is easily explored on foot with many historic sights to pique your interest, like the stupa That Ing Hang, 12km from town. It was built in the 16th century and stands 9m high. Following old tradition, women are not permitted in the shrine which hosts grand festivities during the full moons in either February or March. 70 km further south are the ancient Khmer ruins of Heuan Hin (stone house), built between 553 A.D. and 700 A.D.

Vat Heuan Hin

Last Updated on Monday, 29 March 2010 11:00

View of Vat Heuan Hin This 1000 year old relic of the ancient Khmer Empire is a fascinating visit for those interested in the history of the Khmer civilization. Its lao name means "temple house made of stones" and it's the most remarkable ruins in the Savannakhet area.

That Ing Hang Stupa

Last Updated on Monday, 29 March 2010 11:01

View of That Ing Hang Stupa This stupa is an impressive sight, and a very important place of worship for the laotian buddhists: it is the second holiest religious site in southern Laos after Wat Phu. It stands on the spot where Fa Ngum’s forces were based in the mid 14th century, and it is believed that some ashes of the Buddha are sealed away inside.

Vat Sayaphoum

Last Updated on Monday, 29 March 2010 10:56

Vat Sayaphoum This beautiful temple is one of the oldest and largest in the surrounding area and houses some 200 or more monks and novices at any one time. It sits on the banks of the Mekong River in Sayaphoum Village and is considered to be of exemplary beauty.

Dinosaur Museum

Last Updated on Monday, 29 March 2010 11:02

Entrance Dinosaur Museum In 1936, French geologist Josué Heilman Hoffet discovered deposits of fossilized bones in the region of Ban Tangvai, 120 km east of Savannakhet. Hoffet gathered a vast collection of fossiles but was killed during World War II.