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Savannakhet

Location: Situated in the middle of Laos
Area: 21,774 sq. km
Population: 829 thousand habitants
Capital of the province:Thakhaek
Districts:Thakhaek, Mahaxay, Nongbok, Hinboun, Nhommalath, Bualapha, Nakai, Xebangfay and Xaybouathong.

Overview

The name of Savannakhet Province derives from old Pali language, meaning “a land of gold”.

The area of Savannakhet Province has been inhabited since ancient times, being benefited from the Mekong River and its tributaries. People here has cultivated rice in the largest plain in the country, and fostered rich arts and culture.

History
The area of Savannakhet Province was under influence of the Champa Kingdom from 7th to 10th century, followed by the Khmer Kingdom until 13th century. Heun Hin ("Stone House") along the Mekong River and some ornaments of That Ing Hang("Ing Hang Stupa") prove this historical fact. Then, the Lan Xang Kingdom established in 14th century covered Savannakhet.

Savannakhet_1 Savannakhet Province, especially its capital town, had been developed significantly as the administrative and commercial center of Southern Laos during the French era in 19th century.

Geography
Savannakhet Province is situated in the middle of the country and the largest province (21,774 square km), being bordered by Vietnam to the East, Thailand to the West, Khammouan Province to the North and Salavan Province to the South. 60% of land is covered by forests. Savannakhet Province consists of 15 districts namely; Kaisone Phomvihanh, Xayphouthong, Outhoumphone, Phalanxay, Atsaphangthong, Phine, Sepon, Nong, Virabouly, Songkhone, Champhone, Thapangthong, Xonnabouly, Xaybouly, and Atsaphone.

Demography
Savannakhet Province is the most populated province in the country with its population of 824,000 (2005). A wide variety of ethnic groups are found in the province: Lowland Lao, Phoutai, Thai Dam, Katang, Mangkong, Vali, Lava, Soui, Kapo, Kaleung and Ta-Oi. In addition, many Vietnamese and Chinese descendants live in the province as well. This fact makes the province rich in cultural and gastronomic diversity.

HOW TO GET THERE

By Bus
1.International Bus:
From Thailand: Buses depart from the Mukdahan Bus Station (about 1 hour include immigration). The bus will stop at the border check point to stamp your visa/passport. You can ride from the border checkpoint too.
From Vietnam: Buses depart from the Lao Bao border, Dong Ha (on even day only), Quang Tri, Hue(Monday, Wednesday and Friday), Danang and Hanoi (Saturday and Sunday only) to Savannakhet.

2.Domestic Bus:
From Vientiane: From the Vientiane capital, there are two types of buses to Savannaakhet; seven public buses and one VIP bus with toilet and air condition. Both types depart from the Southern Bus Station in Vientiane every day. It may take about 8-9 hours to Savannakhet. From Pakse:From Pakse, Night public buses depart from bus station in Pakse. It may take about 4-5 hours to Savannakhet.

By Car
From Vientian Capital:
From Vientian Capital, take 'Route No. 13 South' south via Paksan, Tha Khek and Seno to Savannakhet for a total distance of 457 kilometers. It may take about 6-7 hours to Savannakhet.

From Dansavan-LaoBao (Vietnam):
From Dansavan-LaoBao, take route No. 09 via Sepon, Phine, Phalanxay,Seno to Savannakhet for a total distance of 241 kilometers. It may take about 4-5 hours to Savannakhet.

From Mukdahan( Thailand):
From Mukdahan, cross the Second FriendShip Bridge.Stop at the border checkpoint to stamp your visa/passport. It may take about 1 hour to Savannakhet including immigration.

From Pakse:
From Pakse, take 'Route No. 13 South' nouth via Salavan to Savannakhet for a total distance of 247 kilometers. It may take about 2-3 hours to Savannakhet.

By Air
From Vientiane:
Two three flights fly to Savannakhet in a week; Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. It takes about 1 hour to Savannakhet. Call Lao Airline in Vientiane (021)212 051-54 for more information

From Lung Prabang:
Two flights fly to Savannakhet in a week; Thursday and Sunday. It take about 1 hour and 30 min to Savannakhet. Call Lao Airline in Lung Prabang (071)212 173 for more information.

From Bangkok:
Two three flights fly to Savannakhet in a week; Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. It takes about 1 hour and 20 min to Savannakhet. Call Lao Airline in Bangkok (Thailand); 006621342007-9 for more information.

By Ferry Boat
From Mukdahan ( Thailand ):
Boats cross the Mekong river from the Mukdahan ferry pier in Thailand to Savannakhet. Unfortunatelly only local people with the border pass can use the boat.

WHERE TO VISIT

That Ing Hang ("Ing Hang Stupa")

This is a sacred stupa and reportedly the burial site for one of Buddha’s bones. It is an important place for Buddhists and is registered as a National Treasure of Lao PDR. It was built about 450 years ago by the King Marukhanakhone to commemorate the Buddha's visit to the site in the past. Buddha is believed to have delivered a sermon to people at the site and later took a rest under the “Hang” tree. This is the reason why the stupa is called That Ing Hang. the annual festival is held every November (exact date varies according to the lunar calendar.See event and festival page). That Ing Hang is located in Ban that("That village"). The easiest way to get there is to head out along Route 9 for about 12km and lelt by a police box, and then drive straight for about another 3km and you will come directly to That Ing Hang. There is a slightly shorter way along back-roads and this is sign-posted from the outskirts of Savannakhet.

Women are required to wear a traditional Sin (Lao Skirt) in order to enter the site. These are available next to the entrance. You need to pay for entry fee , its open daily from 8 a.m to 6 p.m.

Wat Xayaphoum( “Xayaphoum Temple “)

Savannakhet_12 The old city pagoda was built at the same time as Tha Hae village in 1542 BC and has been substantially improved since the beginning of the 20th century. Located in the center of the city along the bank of the Mekong River in Ban Xayaphoum, it is a beautiful building built in the original Savannakhet style. The temple area includes the monks’ living quarters and the monastery. Pee Mai Lao (The Lao New Year Celebration) and Boun Suang Huea (“boat racing festival”) following Buddhist Lent are held here.

Wat Lattanalangsy ( “Lattanalangsy Temple” )

Savannakhet_13 Wat Lattanalangsy was built on a former rice field, hence villagers also refer it as Wat Thong (rice field temple).

Mekong River Bank

Mekong River Bank will give you a great view of local life. From the fishermen bringing in the daily catch, to market gardens and local restaurants selling a wide variety of foods and drinks, there are plenty of things to see. With Thailand just across the river a stroll along the Mekong banks, especially around sunset, is a must.

The Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum

This is a houses of dinosaur fossils or big lizard bones’ as called in Lao. They were excavated from Ban Tang Vay("Tang Vay Village"), in Xonbouly District. Three kinds of dinosaur bones have been discovered; pode,Iguanodon and Sauropode.The museum open daily from 9 a.m to 6 p.m.

Old French colonial buildings

Old French Style buildings can readily be seen in the central city area,especially around the Catholic Church and the central plaza. These buildings are heritages from the French colonisation of Laos in the mid 20th century. Most buildings are private properties and thus can only be viewed from the outside.

Memorial Persident Kaysone Phomvihanh

This is the house of former President Kaysone Phomvihanh who was born in Savannakhet in 1920. He served as the first Prime Minister of Lao PDR from 1975 to 1991, and then as the second President until his death in 1992. While the building is not open to the public, it can be viewed from the outside.

Savanxay Market

This is the main market of Savannakhet City. There is a wide variety of goods on sale including local products as well as imported Thai and Vietnamese foods, along with a wide selection of souvenirs. The market is open daily from 6 a.m to about 5 p.m everyday. Songtheaws (Local buses using pick-up trucks with 2 benches in the back) use this market as the focal point for arrivals and departures to neighbouring towns and provinces.

One District One Product (ODOP) Handicraft Shop

This is located at 6 KM post along rout No 9. This shop is a showcase of products from the One District One Product (ODOP) project and includes a wide variety of handicrafts made from bamboo, hardwood, cotton and silver from around the country and this is a great place to look for souvenirs.

Bungva ( “Va Lake”)

This is the largest lake lying in the outskirts of the Savannakhet City. Along the lake shore, several restaurants have opened up and some provide gazebos (small covered platforms) where you can enjoy lunch or a cold beer Lao while enjoying beautiful scenery or even rent pedalos to get out onto the lake. The lake is a perfect stop before or after visiting That Ing Hang(“Ing Hang Stupa”). To find the lake, head out eastwards from the Savannakhet City for about 12km – it is also sign - posted from the edge of the city. While there are two ways out to That Ing Hang, the lake lies along the way of the shorter option for getting there. The restaurants are open daily from 9am to 9pm.

Muangkao Phonesim ("Phonesim Village and The Old Ruins")

According to legend, an old town was founded here in current Phonesim in 1577 during the reign of the King Fa Ngum who later united the Lane Xang Kingdom. Migrating south-eastwards from Northern Vietnam, Savannakhet’s ancestors settled here and named the town in Ban Luang Phonsim "Phonsim village" after the name of their leader Luang and his wife Sim. The name of the village has been shortned to Ban Phonsim. The ruins of the original settlement can still been atop a hill surrounded by bamboo forest. You can see the foundations of a pagoda and the old phonsim town wall. From That Ing Hang, go east for about 3km to the village. The ruins are located about 2 km from the village, and are best experienced through one of the Eco-Guides’ trekking tours which can also include an overnight home stay in the village.

Nongtao ( “Turtle Lake”)

This lake was originally constructed for rice paddy irrigation and is now home to beautiful lotus blooms, bathing water buffalos, migratory birds and local people working in the paddy fields. Unfortunately, the lake no longer contains turtles though. From That Ing Hang(“Ing Hang stupa”) through Ban Phonesim (“Phonesim village”), continue along the same road for about 3km and you will see the lake which is sign-posted on your right-hand side. The site is always open, but it is recommended to visit between 8 a.m and 6 p.m.

Dong Natad Provincial Protected Area and Nong Lom Lake

Dong Natad Provincial Protected Area extends to 8,300 hectares. In the centre of the forest, there is a beautiful lake called Nong Lom where you can observe wild birds like teal, butterflies and rare plants. Parking spaces are provided at the entrance to the forest along the road to That Ing Hang. To get there, head towards That Ing Hang and you will see a sign-posts on your left-hand side approximately 1km before reaching That Ing Hang. One of the best way to see both the protected area and Nong Lom Lake is on an Eco-Guides trekking.

Ban Nateuy (“Nateuy Village”) and Salt Factory

Ban Nateuy is a typical village on the outskirts of Savannakhet City. Local people cultivate various fruits, vegetables and other crops. They also raise livestock and collect forest products. In the village, a salt factory has been in operation since 1978. The salt is made from the pure underground water whose salt content is even higher than sea water. Since hygiene and safety controls are in place, you can only visit the factory by prior appointment. To reach Nateuy village from Savannakhet City, head south-east on Route No.9, turning left after 15 km and proceeding another 3 km. If you would like to make an appointment to see the factory, please contact the Iodized Table Salt Company on 041 212255.

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