Savannakhet Province

Located  In central part of the country
Total Area 21,774 square meters
Population 850,000
15 Districts  Khanthabuly, Outhoumphone, Atsaphangthong, Phine, Sepone, Nong, Thapangthong, Songkhone, Champhone, Xonbuly, Xaybuly, Vilabuly, Atsaphone, Xayphouthong and Thaphalanxay
Capital  Khanthabuly

Fine French architecture bears testimony to the importance of Savannakhet during the colonial era. The name Savannakhet means “The land of Fertility Suitable for Agriculture”

There are 11 ethnic minorities include Lowland Lao, Phouthai, Thai Dam, Katang, Mongkong, Vali, Lava, Soui, Kapo, kaleung and Ta-oi

+ Wat Inghang Temple

Wat Inghang Temple was built during the reign Sikhottabong of King Sumitatham about 2,000 years ago and is meant to mark the place where Lord Buddha rested while visiting the Kingdom of Sikhottabong. Rebuilt in 1548 by King Saysethathirath, the temple is located at Ban Thad Village on Route 9 between Savannakhet-Seno at Km 12 turns right about 3 kilometers. Festive rites are held annually and organized to coincide with the first full moon of the lunar  calendar

+ Wat Xayaphoum Temple

Located at Ban Xayaphoum Village on the bank of the Mrkong River, Wat Xayaphom was built in 1542, the same period of Ban Thahir or Nakham. It is the center of the local Buddhist people with arts and architecture dating from the original Savannakhet. Festive ceremonies are held for Pimai Lao and the Boat Racing Festival

+ Ho Tay Pidok Library

These library houses a collection of 200-year-old palm leaves manuscripts written in the ancient Kham-Pali and Lao alphabets. It is located in Ban Nonglamchan Village, Champhone District

+ Heuan Hin or Stone House

It is a shrine built by the ancient Khmer to the glory of their “Sikhottabong” empire. The stone House is located in Ban Dongdokmay, 15 kilometers from Xayphouthong District or 66 kilometers from Khanthabuly, the provincial capital

+ That Phon Stupa

It is also another important religious figure found in the Province. Constructed between the year 557 to 700, festive rites are held annually and are organized in the first full moon of the lunar calendar to pay respects to Phra Shiva and other Hindu Gods

+  Dinosaur Fossils

Fossilized dinosaur bones were discovered at Ban Tangvay Village, Xonbuly District in 1930. They are now housed in the Dinosaur Exhibition Hall in Khanthabuly, the provincial capital

+ Route 9, GMS East-West Economic Corridor

Part of the Ho Chi Minh trail and remnants of American tanks and warplanes can also be visited in Phin District on Route 9, close to the Lao Bao border checkpoint with Vientiane about 250 kilometers

Travel Guides to Laos Provinces:

Phongsaly Province|Luangnamtha Province|Oudomxay Province|Bokeo Province|Luang Prabang Province|Xiengkhouang Province|Vientiane Province|Huaphanh Province|Vientiane Municipality|Borikhamxay Province|Khammouane Province|Champasack Province|Savannakhet Province|