LAOS- SOUTHERN PROVINCES SEKONG

SEKONG

CAPITAL: LANARM

TOTAL AREA: 7665 SUQARE KILOMETRES

POPULATION: 97900

Sekong Province is one o least explored provinces in Laos due to the rugged landscape and mountainous terrain that rises to the Dacheung Plateau. Sekong is located in the heart of southern Laos, with Salavan to the north,Champasak to the west, Attapeu in the south and Vietnam to the east. 

Remnants of the Ho Chi Minh Trail originating in Ta Oy district in Salavan Province pass through Sekong and the Dacheung Plateu on the way to southern Vietnam. With 14 distinct ethnic groups belonging to the Mon-Khmer linguistic family this sparsely populated provinces is probably the most ethnically groups in the province and are noted for their unique religious practices that mix animism and ancestor worship.

The Sekong River, which bisects the province flowing south into Cambodia, is ideal for river trips. Local boatmen hire long tail boats for scenic river journeys that follow the edge of the Bolaven Plateau down to Attapeu Province. 

Occasionally, fresh water dolphins migrate up the Sekong right up to Sekong Town. The province is dotted with many cascading waterfaalls. Tad Hia, Tad Faek and Tad Se Noi 9Or Tad Hua Khon) waterfalls are the most convenient to visit from town and offer opportunities for swimming, trekking and village visits. Another waterfall not to be missed is the Nam Tok Katamtok, which originates from the Huay Katam River deep in the jungles of the Bolaven Plateau.

 Xe Xap National Protected Area, which covers an area of 1335 square kilometres straddling Sekong and Salavan Provinces includes part of the southern Annamite Mountains and is mostly steep terrain with high plateaus of about 1400m. 

On the eastern and southern sides of Xe Xap steep faces rise from 400m to 1400 m, topped by Dong Be at 2066m. the protected area’s habitat of hill evergreen, semi evergreen and pine forests support large mammal species including 2 types of bear, gaur, dhole , serow ,large, antlered muntjac and tigers.

Sekong is well known for its unique textile patterns, which consists of multicolored line patterns created from a hip loom. Although many of the groups produce beautiful weavings, the Nge ethnic group is especially renowned for its works, as well as the Alak for their traditional Lao skirts 9sin). 

Handicrafts can be purchased directly from villages, as well as from handicraft shops in Sekong Town (also known as Muang Lamam).In Kandone Village there are excellent examples of woodcarvings and traditional longhouses.

If you are in Sekong during January –February inquire about the fascinating annual festivals held in Katu, Nge and Tariang villages. Another notable local celebration is Boun Souang Heua (traditional boat racing) that takes place in Sekong on 2 December every year to coincide with Lao National day