South East Asian Trips

Savannakhet is easy to explore on foot but tuk-tuks are also available around the city, taking you quickly to attractive sites. Savannakhet's Vietnamese temples and Catholic churches located around the city are worth visiting. Some more fascinating sites to check out include: The That Ing Hang Stupa, the ruins of Khmer at Heuan Hinh (Stone House), Wat Xayaphoum, and the Dinosaur Museum. All are highly recommended and not-to-be-missed sites.

Within easy reach by bus from Khammouane is Savannakhet province. Positioned between Thailand and Vietnam, the province acts as a useful trading junction between the two. Most of the town's architecture is French colonial, including a large Catholic church, although there are several buddhist temple buildings worth seeing, such as Wat Sainyaphum. It is possible to walk the Ho Chi Minh Trail, a former clandestine route used by the North Vietnamese Army to transport military gear to South Vietnam. The trail was bombed by the USA during the Vietnam war and parts of this devastation can still be viewed. However, the trail must be seen with a guide as large parts of the route still contain unexploded bombs.

Visitors are recommended to drop by the Savannakhet Tourist Office. In addition to picking up a free map of the city and getting help from the efficient English-speaking staff, the Tourist Office also offers a wide variety of local walking tours and eco-tours. The office is located on Khantabuli Road, just before the Post Office,

That Ing Hang Stupa

That Ing Hang Stupa is considered as one of the most impressive and sacred Buddhist sites in Southern Laos and Northern Thailand. The temple was built in the mid 16th century during the reign of King Sikotabong and houses a notable collection of Buddha images. The stupa is also the site of a large festival and a religious ceremony held during full moon each year in February. It is located 15 kilometres from the north of Kaysone Phomvihane (former known as Khanthabouli), along the Seno road. To get there, take a tuk-tuk taxi for the round-trip

Wat Xayaphoum

This temple sits on the banks of the Mekong River in Ban Xayaphoum Village. Wat Xayaphoum is perhaps the most beautiful temple in Kaysone Phomvihane. The temple was built in 1542 and is considered one of the oldest in Savannakhet. It is an important centre for local Buddhism. At Wat Xayaphoum, visitors will find a Buddhhist workshop where local villagers craft new Buddha images by hand. Wat Xayaphoum hosts major festival and ceremonies such as Pimai Laos and an annual Boat Racing Festival, held during October each year,

Heuan Hinh (Stone House)

A 1,000-year old outpost of the Khmer civilization, Heuan Hinh, is one of the most interesting Khmer ruins in Savannakhet. Unfortunately, like many other other historical sites, most of the original carvings have been lost and the structure is in poor condition. Heuan Hinh is a shrine built by the ancient Khmer to the glory of their Empire. Located in Ban Dong, Dokmay Songkhone district, some 65 kilometres south of Savannakhet,

Dinosaur Museum

A decent museum where one can discover more about the Savannakhet prehistoric period. It is the latest addition to tourist sites here and is situated south of the stadium on Khantabouli Road. The hall displays a massive collection of fossils excavated from 1930 to the present. Four different dinosaurs and early mammalian remains from 200 million years ago are on display; even some fragments of a meteorite that fell to earth over 100 million years ago are kept here. Don't worry if all the labels are in Laos and French; local staff next to the admission box will be pleased to translate for English-speaking visitors,

That Phone Stupa

Another sacred stupa in Savannakhet, That Phone was constructed over a long period between 557 and 700. The stupa's annual celebration festival is held during the full moon period in February, celebrating the day when the temple served as a shrine for offerings made to Shiva and other Hindu Gods,

Other Attractions

Other interesting attractions that are located on the main street in Kaysone Phomvihan which can be easily reached on foot or by a tuk-tuk taxi ride include: the Hor Tai Pitok Ancient Library; a wooden house containing a number of stunning palm scripts; the Lam Seun 719 Battlefield and the area's Catholic Churches with their French colonial design.

Alternatively, nature lovers can visit Tad Salaen Waterfall and Don Daeng Turtle Lake. This is around a 15-kilometre drive from the city. All are worth visiting..

Although tourist attractions in Savannakhet are not as widespread as in Luang Prabang, Vientiane, or Pakse, the charm of most attractions is that they are surrounded by local villages, French Colonial architecture and the incredible scenery that stretches along the Mekong River and this makes the city such a unique destination.