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City and municipality in Savannakhet Province, Laos
Photo: Tango7174, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Savannakhet (ສະຫວັນນະເຂດ, commonly abbreviated to "Savan") and officially known as "Kaysone Phomvihane" (ໄກສອນ ພົມວິຫານ, name of the district), is the capital of Savannakhet Province in Southern Laos. It is on the Mekong River. With an estimated population of 120,000, it is the second largest city of Laos. The city is the hub between west (Mukdahan, Thailand) and east (Vietnam), and between north (Vientiane) and south (Pakse).
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Exhibits dinosaur fossils or "big lizard bones" as called in Lao. They were excavated from Xonbouly District. Three kinds of dinosaur bones have been discovered; Pode, Iguanodon and Sauropode. Two rooms. Information is all in Lao and French, no English.
A private exhibition of the town's history, mainly focused on French colonial architecture of the downtown area.
Old French-style buildings can be seen in the central city area, especially around the Catholic church and the central plaza. These building are heritages from the French colonisation of Laos in the mid 20th century.
ໂບດກາໂຕລິກ ນັກບຸນເຕເຣຊາ
Historic colonial cathedral built in 1920.
This 16th century stupa is one of the most revered in the country. Annually in December, Buddhists travel to this holy site for the annual "Boun Pha" ceremony. There are two roads that lead to the stupa: the first one is the busy main road to Seno. Tuk-tuk rides should cost 70,000 kip for a round-trip. Far more recommended is the alternative road through the green rural outskirts, passing the Beung Va lake, which is best experienced by bicycle or motorbike.
A 16th century temple in the centre of the city along the bank of the Mekong River. Now serving as both temple and high school for novice monks of Savannakhet. Pee Mai Lao (The Lao New Year celebration) and Boun Suang Huea (boat racing festival) following Buddhist Lent are held here.
A "Provincial Protected Area" which extends to 8,300 hectares and hosts two tribal villages. There is a beautiful lake called Nong Lom in the centre of the forest where you can observe wild birds like teal, butterflies, and rare plants.
More than 500 slots, 100 table games, and a sports book. On the 4,950 square metre (53,262 sq ft) main casino floor, the selection of table games includes midi-baccarat, mini-baccarat (Super Six), blackjack, Caribbean stud poker, fan-tan, roulette, sic-bo, money wheels, and tiger and dragon.
Urban teenagers depend on foreigners to practice and improve their English. In Savannakhet, thresholds don't exist, so don't hesitate to visit a classroom and have a chat at either the Sangha High School at Wat Xayaphoum (city centre, riverside) or the TTC (Teacher Training College), which is a few kilometres out of the city on the road to Seno.
Decent massage, a warm welcome, good atmosphere. Clean and nice environment.
Boun Pha That Phonh
A festival lasting three days and three nights, held on the full moon in February at That Phon, a sacred stupa in Phon Village. There are different exhibitions of traditional goods, sports, dance, songs. Local people offer rice balls to the stupa and local monks.
Boun Heuan Hin
A festival held at Heuan Hin ("Stone House") in the middle of March, another important sacred place, dating back to the Khmer Empire. This annual festival is organised to respect ancestors. As part of the ceremony, Buddhist monks make offerings to the persons that built the Stone House. Visitors enjoy shopping of local products. At night there is a traditional dance called lamvong, where men and women dance together in a big circle.
Boun Pee Mai Lao
This festival is held all over Laos, from 14-16 April. It aims at seeing out the old year and welcoming the new year. The biggest festivals are held in the city. There is a Miss Lao New Year contest; the winner parades through the town on the back of an artificial animal. Some families organise baci ceremonies: big arches made of rice plants in order to show their respect to the earth and sky spirits which facilitate rice production. People splash or pour fragrant water with flowers on passersby, to wash bad things out of their bodies.
Bounpavet (Elephant Parade) and Boun Bangfai (Rocket Festival) are held in Champhone District at the end of April to early May. There are many activities including traditional dancing, artificial elephant and horse riding and men wearing traditional Lao women clothes and cosmetics. Each village prepares a rocket and a rocket competition is held. The village with the highest rocket launch, wins. This competition is held for showing appreciation to the Payathan, deities who give rain for successful agriculture.
Boun Suang Heua
Annually organised to express people's appreciation to the Mekong River as the source of life. It is held in mid-October, on the last full moon of Buddhist Lent (rains retreat). The ceremonies take place at the Mekong River bank and each temple. Vat Xayaphoum is the main temple. People make Kathin offerings to the temples and temple parades and traditional dances are being organized. Long boats, made out of bamboo and banana trees, are filled with offerings like cakes, foods, flowers and candles. On the first day around 11:00, a boat racing ceremony starts at the river bank. Prior to this race, Lao and Thai river banks welcome each other's boats.
Boun Pha That Ing Hang
In December, is visited by people from all over Laos and Thailand. This festival is organized to show respect to Buddha and the people who built the stupa. People make offerings, Khanmarkbeng, bringing flowers and small towers made of banana leaves. Nuns who are around the stupa are available to give blessings by tying cotton strings around visitor's wrists.
formerly Cafe Anakot, Cafe Chai Dee
Japanese, Lao, and Western food, with a unique selection of smoothies, tea and fresh juices. Good choice for vegetarians. Offers book exchange, guidebooks, Wi-Fi and handicrafts. English speaking staff.
Local, Japanese, and Western food. Original organic Lao coffee (served hot or iced), fruit shakes, pastas, vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals. Free Wi-Fi, free tourist information. Book exchange, bicycles for rent, handicraft souvenirs, Lao cooking classes (upon request). Quiet place, great service, friendly English speaking staff.
One of the bigger restaurants in town that serves a good mix of Lao and Western food. Very attentive staff. Popular place for local people to have dinner and a few Beerlaos. Can be quite busy and noisy.
French cuisine. Serves both lunch and dinner meals for a reasonable price. The 3 course "Menu Dejeuner" for lunch (around 65,000 kip) is absolutely scrumptious, and a larger dinner menu includes entrees from 100,000-300,000 kip. The ultimate decadent dish (with a hefty price) is the 1 kg imported fresh lobster flambéed in whisky for 1,000,000 kip. The staff are very attentive and all the dishes are presented in an excellent manner. Possibly the epitome of fine French dining in Laos.
Receives many foreigners. Service is so-so. Little bit far (but still within walking distance) from the historical centre and Mekong riverside. 38 clean rooms with one double
In the same block as Leena's Guesthouse, but access is from the opposite road. Very clean and the multi-floor house looks very modern. Breakfast included. Lovely owners who will provide you with umbrellas when the weather looks bad. The rooms are doubles for 100,000 kip, but you might get one for 80,000 kip when you are travelling alone in the low season and 60,000 kip for single room
Eleven clean, though dingy air-con rooms with great Mekong views, but no TV and no restaurant.
New, nice and affordable. Family-run. Extremely friendly and helpful staff. Frequented by many Lao nationals studying and/or visiting Savannakhet for a few nights.
Within walking distance of the Thai consulate. The fee includes a modest breakfast; there's no buffet, but you can choose, e.g., a sandwich or a bowl of noodles from a menu. There's wireless Internet connection and three computers in the lobby. The Wi-Fi is free for guests, but a fee is charged for the hotel's computers. It also has a disco.
On the Mekong, in the south of the city. All rooms offer privacy with spacious size and wooden Lao handicraft décor. There are 83 rooms, a swimming pool and a pool bar.
The hotel has 482 rooms, accessed by four glass elevators and features a spa offering massages and treatments. Rooms range from the affordable to the luxurious, complete with Jacuzzis and plasma televisions. There is a gift shop, bank, hair salon and coffee shop on-site. Open 24 hours a day and has more than 500 slot machines and 100 table games. There are several restaurants and bars available, including a buffet. Staff speak English, Thai, Lao and Vietnamese.
ATM outside of bank. It accepts most foreign ATM cards. To exchange foreign currency, go inside the bank. Bring identification.
An ATM with the same limit and fee (the highest building at the same main road just northern of the old market). Phongsavanh's ATM accepts Mastercard, Maestro and Cirrus.
Talat Savan Xai
The main market of Savannakhet City, also known as Singapore Market as it was started by an investor from Singapore. 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 and a huge gold jewellery section upstairs. Be sure to try out the khao ji (Lao-style baguettes) sold at bakeries located just to the north of the market.
By bus
There is bus service from Vientiane to Savannakhet. For the time being it is the only way to practically get to Savannakhet from the capital. It is a 9-hour bus journey on a newly paved road.
The easiest way to get around Savannakhet is by foot or bicycle. Tuk-tuks are also available around the city and are an easy way to get to a specific location quickly.
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