Savannakhet
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Savannakhet

Savannakhet

Sleepy Mekong city opposite Thailand, marked by French colonial buildings and cross-border transit.

Savannakhet is the second-largest city in Laos and the capital of its most populous province. Sitting on the Mekong opposite the Thai town of Mukdahan, it has a sleepy charm with crumbling French colonial buildings in its old quarter, a handful of Chinese shophouses, and a Vietnamese-influenced Mahayana Buddhist temple alongside the usual Lao wats.

The city is mainly a transit point for travelers crossing between Thailand and Vietnam -- the east-west corridor runs through here to the Vietnamese border at Lao Bao. But it is worth a night if you are passing through. The old town is pleasant for a wander, the riverside is attractive at sunset, and the Dinosaur Museum on the outskirts displays fossils found in the province.

The surrounding countryside has some interesting destinations. The Heuan Hin stone formation (sometimes called the Lao Stonehenge) and the That Ing Hang stupa, one of the most revered in southern Laos, are both within easy reach. The Ho Chi Minh Trail ran through Savannakhet Province, and UXO clearance continues in the area.

Guide

Getting Around

The old town is compact and easily walkable. Tuk-tuks are the main transport for longer distances within the city. Bicycles can be rented from guesthouses near the river — useful for reaching the That Ing Hang stupa and other sites outside town. Motorbike rental is available for exploring further afield, including the wartime sites in the province. The bridge to Thailand is served by a shuttle bus.

Guide

Getting There

By road from Thailand: the Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge connects Mukdahan Province (Thailand) with Savannakhet and is the main entry point from the west. Buses run from Mukdahan bus station directly to Savannakhet; international travellers can get a Lao visa on arrival at the bridge crossing. From Vientiane, buses take 8-9 hours south on Route 13. From Pakse (southern Laos), 4-5 hours north. The east-west Route 9 runs through Savannakhet toward Lao Bao and the Vietnamese border; buses cover this route for those travelling to or from Da Nang or Hue. Savannakhet has a small airport (ZVK) with connections to Vientiane and occasional regional routes, but the bus is usually more practical.

Guide

Things to Do

Savannakhet rewards a slow half-day walk. The old colonial quarter around Sena Road and the riverside has the most character — French shophouses with colonnaded facades, Chinese family businesses in slightly newer buildings, and Lao wats tucked among them. The Co-Cathedral of St. Therese is the most distinctive landmark. The Savannakhet Provincial Museum has displays on the province's history including the Ho Chi Minh Trail, though it is modest in size. The Dinosaur Museum (Phu Xang) on Route 9 displays genuine fossils found in the province — the area was rich in Jurassic fauna. The riverside is good at sunset. That Ing Hang Stupa, one of the most revered Buddhist sites in southern Laos, is about 12 km northeast and worth the short trip.

Guide

When to Go

November to February is the coolest and most comfortable period — dry, clear, and around 20-30°C in the day. March-May heats up significantly before the rains arrive. The rainy season (June-October) sees the Mekong rise dramatically and the surrounding countryside turn green. Most travellers pass through in the dry season, but the rainy season is quieter and the riverside atmosphere is different when the river is full.