Places to Visit in Savannakhet, Laos, Asia

Places to Visit in Savannakhet, Laos, Asia

Savannakhet is the capital city of Savannakhet Province located in Western Laos at the coordinates of 16°33′ N 104°45′ E. It is placed about 544 km southeast of national capital Vientiane and is the second biggest city of the country after Vientiane. The province of Savannakhet occupies an area of 21,774 sq. km. and is the birthplace of Lao’s former president Kaysone Phomvihane.

Savannakhet is home to worship places of different religions like Budhhist, Christians and Muslims and houses one huge 15th century Buddhist Temple. Savannakhet Province is the largest province and is one of the leading tobacco producing regions in Laos. Savannakhet is also known for its mining business and has rich mineral resources of copper and gold.

Geography and climate of Savannakhet:

Savannakhet experiences a tropical wet and dry climate and from April to October is wet season in Savannakhet. Savannakhet Province is bordered by Salavan Province in the south, Khammouan Province on the north, Nakhon Phanom and Mukdahan provinces of Thailand in the west and Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue provinces of Vietnam towards east.

History of Savannakhet:

The literal meaning of Savannakhet in local language is “city of paradise” and the city was earlier known as Khanthabouli.

Cuisine, Culture and Shopping in Savannakhet:

The restaurants of Savannakhet offer Chinese, Thai, Indian and Japanese food. The best restaurants in Savannakhet include Lin’s Cafe, Cafe Chai Dee, Hanarhan J, Tonenam restaurant, Vasana restaurant and Sabaidee Restaurant and French Restaurant Dao Savanh. Laos coffee is very famous and available at two coffee centre of Savannakhet, one is located in front of the Catholic Church and another one near city bus station.

Savannakhet is home to different religions namely Christians, Muslims and Buddhists of Lao, Vietnamese and Chinese. The natives celebrate festivals like That Phon Festival, Heuan Hin Festival, Lao New Year Festival, Rocket Festival, Boat Racing Festival and Ing Hang Stupa Festival in the months of February and March with great enthusiasm.

Savannakhet houses several major banks and ATM centers as well. One District One Product, Savanxay Market and Dao Heuang Duty Free Shop are the major shops of the city with an ability to fulfill the requirements both local and foreign tourists.

Connectivity to Savannakhet:

Savannakhet is served by Savannakhet Airport with daily flights from and to national capital Vientiane and costs around $US110. It is good for Bangkok tourists, Lao Airlines provides weekly 3 time air services (Wednesday, Friday and Sunday) to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport and it takes 2 hour 20 minutes, costs US$115.

Savannakhet is well connected with Vientiane, Pakse and other major cities of the country through roadways. There are two types of buses leave at Savannakhet City Bus Stand like VIP Bus and Local Bus and the ticket charge of VIP bus is high compared to Local Bus. Also the city has connectivity to Thailand and Vietnam through bus.

Tourist attractions in Savannakhet:

That Ing Hang Stupa:

That Ing Hang Stupa is the sixteenth century stupa and the major holy place of Laos Buddhists. It is located 13 kms away from Savannakhet City and December is the best time to visit this stupa.

Wat Xayaphoum:

Wat Xayaphoum is a very ancient temple placed on the banks of River Mekong in the heart of Savannakhet City. This 16^th century temple is very famous among the surrounding regions of Savannakhet.

Dinosaur Museum:

Dinosaur Museum has three different types of dinosaur bones like Pode, Iguanodon and Sauropode. The museum is open from 08:00 AM to 11:30 AM and afternoon from 1:30 to 4:30 daily.

Other tourist attractions near Savannakhet include: