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Savannakhet

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City
—°3
Savannakhet (Laos)
ℹ️

Practical info — Savannakhet

▾

🌤 Weather — 5 days

📍 Nearby

Sights nearby

💡 Tips

  • Rent a bicycle to leisurely explore the pleasant French colonial architecture in the historic center.
  • If crossing the Friendship Bridge to Thailand, have your visa fees ready in crisp US Dollars.
  • Visit the central market early in the morning for the best atmosphere and cooler temperatures.
  • Don't miss the small but fascinating Dinosaur Museum in town.

🍽 Food

🍽
Khao Jee

These Lao baguette sandwiches are easily found near the central bus station.

🍽
Ping Gai

Grilled chicken served with sticky rice, a staple at street food stalls.

🍽
Fresh spring rolls

Enjoy these light bites at the cafes along the Mekong riverfront.

🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots

🛍
Talat Yen Night Market

The go-to spot for evening street food and browsing small trinkets.

🛍
Savan-Itecc Mall

A modern, air-conditioned shopping center for everyday goods.

🧘
Mekong Riverfront

First-rate for relaxing walks and watching the sunset over Thailand.

🧘
That Ing Hang Stupa

A highly sacred and peaceful Buddhist site located outside the city.

Savannakhet, officially known as Kaysone Phomvihane, is the second largest city in Laos and serves as the capital of the province of the same name in the southern part of the country. Strategically located on the Mekong River directly opposite the Thai city of Mukdahan, it is connected to its neighbor by the Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge. The city has a deep history dating back to the Lan Xang era, but it saw significant urban expansion under French colonial rule in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The French Quarter, with its well-preserved colonial-era buildings, gives the city a unique architectural character unlike other parts of Laos. A major cultural landmark is Wat Sayaphum, a grand temple founded in 1542 that remains the most important religious center in the region. The area is also scientifically significant due to the discovery of dinosaur fossils in the nearby Tang Vay excavation site. Today, Savannakhet is a crucial trade hub and a center for manufacturing, playing a key role in the economic corridor connecting Vietnam and Thailand.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Nov, Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C222528302928272727262422
Rain mm411375214716225525920182126

Geography

Population
125,760 (2026)
Coordinates
16.55000, 104.75000

Facts

  • Officially renamed Kaysone Phomvihane in 2005
  • Second largest city in the country of Laos
  • Dinosaur fossils discovered in nearby Tang Vay
  • Second Friendship Bridge opened in the year 2006
  • Wat Sayaphum temple was founded in 1542
  • Contains a well-preserved French colonial quarter

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Savan-Seno Special Economic ZoneSavan-Seno Special Economic Zone<1 km · WExplore →
That Ing HangThat Ing Hang9 km · NExplore →
That SikhottabongThat Sikhottabong23 km · WExplore →
Tha Khaek LoopTha Khaek Loop25 km · WExplore →
ThakhekThakhek26 km · WExplore →
SenoSeno28 km · NExplore →
Phou Hin Poun National ParkPhou Hin Poun National Park37 km · WExplore →
Annamite Range (Laos)Annamite Range (Laos)39 km · SWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Savannakhet (3)

Savannakhet Museum🏛 museum

A museum dedicated to the history and culture of Savannakhet province.

Mekong Viewpoint🌿 nature

A scenic viewpoint along the Mekong River in Savannakhet.

Wat Si Mongkhon Tai⛪ religious

Buddhist temple in Savannakhet with a large Buddha statue and ornate naga stairs.

Frequently asked questions

What is Savannakhet known for?
The city is famous for its well-preserved French colonial architecture and its Dinosaur Museum.
What can you see in the Dinosaur Museum?
It displays dinosaur fossils and bones that were discovered in the region.
Where is the That Ing Hang stupa located?
This important sacred site is located about 15 km northeast of the city center.
Is there a connection to Thailand?
Yes, the Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge connects the city with Mukdahan.
Is it worth a stop for tourists?
Yes, for travelers seeking a quiet, non-touristy atmosphere and colonial flair.
Savannakhet: where is it located?
Savannakhet is located in Laos.
Savannakhet: what is there to see?
Highlights include Savannakhet Museum, Mekong Viewpoint, Wat Si Mongkhon Tai.
Savannakhet: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Nov, Dec.
Savannakhet: why is it worth visiting?
Savannakhet, officially known as Kaysone Phomvihane, is the second largest city in Laos and serves as the capital of the province of the same name in the southern part of the country.
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Nearby cities

Seno — Savannakhet (Laos)
Seno
Seno is a major transport hub in Savannakhet Province.
Sepon — Savannakhet (Laos)
Sepon
Sepon was heavily contested during the Vietnam War.
Tha Khaek Loop — Savannakhet (Laos)
Tha Khaek Loop
The Tha Khaek Loop is a famous multi-day motorbike circuit in central Laos, passing through caves, lagoons, and stunning karst scenery.
Thakhek — Savannakhet (Laos)
Thakhek
Thakhek is located on the Mekong opposite the Thai city of Nakhon Phanom.
Ubon Ratchathani — Savannakhet (Laos)
Ubon Ratchathani
Ubon Ratchathani is one of the four major cities of Isan, known for its annual Candle Festival.
Sakon Nakhon — Savannakhet (Laos)
Sakon Nakhon
Sakon Nakhon is a city in northeast Thailand on the shore of Nong Han Lake, Thailand's largest freshwater lake.

History & landmarks

Kong Lor Cave — Savannakhet (Laos)
Kong Lor Cave
One of the most impressive geological formations in Laos, a 7.5 km long karst cave traversed by a navigable underground river.

Nature

Mekong River (Thailand) — Savannakhet (Laos)
Mekong River (Thailand)
A lifeline of Southeast Asia, forming the border between Thailand and Laos.

More places

Savan-Seno Special Economic Zone — Savannakhet (Laos)
Savan-Seno Special Economic Zone
The first special economic zone in Laos, strategically located on the East-West Economic Corridor to promote manufacturing and internatio…
That Ing Hang — Savannakhet (Laos)
That Ing Hang
A significant sacred stupa in Savannakhet, believed to contain relics of Buddha and is an important pilgrimage destination.
🗺️
Phou Xang He National Park
A striking mountain massif and nature reserve in central Laos that rises steeply from the surrounding flat Savannakhet plain.
Dong Phou Vieng National Park — Savannakhet (Laos)
Dong Phou Vieng National Park
Known as the forest of the sacred spirits, this park protects pristine nature and the traditional lifestyles of local ethnic minorities.
Sepon Copper and Gold Mine — Savannakhet (Laos)
Sepon Copper and Gold Mine
One of the country's largest and most important mines, producing high-quality copper cathodes and gold, creating thousands of jobs in the…
That Sikhottabong — Savannakhet (Laos)
That Sikhottabong
A sacred golden stupa on the banks of the Mekong in Thakhek, representing an important symbol of the Sikhottabong Empire.
🗺️
Phou Hin Poun National Park
An impressive nature reserve featuring steep limestone mountains, deep caves, and pristine forests in Khammouane Province.
Annamite Range (Laos) — Savannakhet (Laos)
Annamite Range (Laos)
A major mountain range forming much of the border between Laos and Vietnam, and is an important ecological region.