LAOS -CENTRAL PROVINCES SAVNNAKHET

SAVNNAKHET

CAPITAL : SAVANNAKHET

TOTAL AREA : 21774 SQUARE KILOMETRES

POPULATION : 906440

Savannakhet Province is located at the crossroads between the North  , South ,East and West of Laos and has long been a center of trade and power. The province is well noted as the birthplace of the Honorable Kaysone Phomvihane, first Sectary of the People’s Revolutionary Party and co –founder of the Lao PDR. His house and a museum documenting his life achievements can be visited in Savannakhet town.

The province’s history , however , goes back long before the time of man. The area was once inhabited by dinosaurs Museum.Remnants of an ancient civilization can be seen at the Stone temple, “ Heuan Hin” a pre Angkorian building located 40 km downstream from town along the Mekong.That Ing Hang stupa , originally built more than 1000 years ago and later rebuilt by King Saysethathirath in the 16^th century , is the province’s most important religious site.

Also of interest is the historic library, Ho Tai Pi Dok, which is believed to have been built in the 18^th century and was traditionally used to house old “Bai Lan” Buddhist scriptures. Of more recent history is the section of the Ho Chi Minh Trail which passes through Savannakhet .Old tanks, guns and other war equipment let behind on the trail can be seen near villages on Route 9 near the Vietnam border.

The Phouthai ethnic group, known for its unique silk and cotton weaving , claims its origin in the province’s Vilboury District. The Katang ethnic group, which is loved for its famous folk song, Lam Dtang Wai, also has traditional lands in Savannaakhet. 

For nature enthusiasts, trekking in Dong Phou Vieng National Protected Area (NPA) provides an opportunity to see rare Douc and Silvered Langus. Phou Xang Hae NPA has a population of wild elephants as well as distinctive rocky outcrops and vistas. The Eld’s deer, once considered to be extinct in Laos, were rediscovered in 2002 in Xonbouly District and are revered by local villagers. 

The province is a hot spot for crocodiles, which inhabit the confluence of the Champhone and Xe Bang Hieng Rivers Hundreds of stump-tailed macaques, considered sacred by locals, are easily spotted in the hectare Monkey Forest. Giant Asian shelled turtles, also considered sacred, can be easily seen in Ban Done Daeng. In Dong Natad Provincial Forest, snakes, monkeys and old growth forest are well protected by the villagers for spiritual reasons. Locally guided toursto the area are available.

Savannakhet is most noted for its weavings, especially Phouthai silk and cotton weaving in Vilaboury district and ethnic Katang weaving in the Dong Phou Vieng area. The favourite national meat, “sin savanh”, a flat, sweet dried beef sprinkled with sesame seeds, originates from Savannakhet and can be purchased in local markets.

The That Ing Hang festival is the largest festival of the year and is typically celebrated in December at the time of the full moon.