Savannakhet
Welcome to Savannakhet!
The name of Savannakhet Province derives from old Pali language, meaning “a land of gold”. The area of Savannakhet Province has been inhabited since ancient times, benefitting from the Mekong River and its tributaries. People here have cultivated rice in the largest plain in the country, and fostered rich arts and culture.
60% of land is covered by forests. A wide variety of ethnic groups are found in the province: Lowland Lao, Phoutai, Thai Dam, Katang, Mangkong, Vali, Lava, Soui, Kapo, Kaleung and Ta-Oi. In addition, many Vietnamese and Chinese descendants live in the province as well. This fact makes the province rich in cultural and gastronomic diversity.
Highlight Destination
THAT ING HANG STUPA
That Ing Hang Stupa is about nine metres high with beautiful carving and decoration. It’s reported to house a relic of Buddha’s spine. The 16th century stupa is located in Savannakhet, Central Laos. Savannakhet itself is famous as the birthplace of Laos’ popular former leader, Kaysone Phomvihane. It was also known as a French trading outpost back in colonial times therefore there are a number of vintage French colonial and Sino-Franco buildings in the business districts. The sacred stupa is an important place of worship not only for Laotian Buddhists but also Thai Buddhists who live in northern Thailand. ‘Dress with respect’ is a must for all visitors. Women may be required to wear traditional pahsin (Lao-style sarong) before entering the temple grounds.
THAT PHONH STUPA
This stupa is said to date back to the 16th century and has sacred links with That Phanom Stupa in Thailand. An annual festival is held during the full moon days in February.
HORTAY PIDOK (Ancient Buddhist Scripts Library)
This is an impressive old structure originally built in the 17th century. It is the most important repository of palm leaf books written in Burmese Pali, Khmer and ancient Lao alphabets in Laos. There are currently 4,000 books containing 361 different stories. The books are maintained in good condition by monks and novices, as well as the local people.
HEUAN HIN (Stone House)
Heuan Hin literally means “Stone House” and is believed to have been one of the 121 rest houses constructed by King Jayavarman VII (1181-1218) along the roads which once connected every corner of the Khmer Empire. Therefore, it shares similar characteristics with Wat Phou in Champasak and Phimai Temple in Thailand. An annual festival is held in the full moon night in April.
FRENCH COLONIAL ARCHITECTURE
Legacies of the French colonial period can be found all over Laos, including great tasting baguettes and cheese, good wine, Catholicism and the mark of all colonial powers-architecture. The city of Savannakhet in Southern Laos is full of fine, if crumbling, examples of French colonial architecture. Most of these buildings have deteriorated over the years due to neglect, war and poverty but they still retain a sense of romance and history. The most popular and well known examples of French architecture in Savannakhet include St. Theresa’s Catholic Church and the numerous colonial shop houses. Located in Kaysone Phomvihanh Town Legacies of the French colonial period can be found all over Laos, including great tasting baguettes and cheese, good wine, Catholicism and the mark of all colonial powers-architecture. The city of Savannakhet in Southern Laos is full of fine, if crumbling, examples of French colonial architecture. Most of these buildings have deteriorated over the years due to neglect, war and poverty but they still retain a sense of romance and history. The most popular and well known examples of French architecture in Savannakhet include St. Theresa’s Catholic Church and the numerous colonial shop houses.
LAO SILK-COTTON WEAVING CENTRE
Lao Silk- Cotton Weaving Centre is located in Ban Nongkadeang, Vilabouly District. This centre has a lot of products such as bags, shirt, Lao skirt and Lao silk. The center has a training centre where they learn how to mix indigo, weaving, spining, and tailor.
