|
Laos Major
Attractions >
Savannakhet
Savannakhet town is situated
on the banks of the Mekong river opposite Mukdahan
in Thailand. The province bridges the country between Thailand and
Vietnam and the town is a very active junction for trade between the two
countries. The town itself can be easily explored by foot and has a
number of interesting temples, including Vietnamese temple and school
and a large Catholic church. Much of the town's architecture is French
Colonial. Numerous examples of French architecture tell of the town's
importance during the colonial era.
Getting there
You can reach Savannakhet by
boat from the north (Vientiane, Tha Khek) or the south (Pakse), although
these services change regularly.Buses run several times a day from
Vientiane, Tha Kek and Pakse. The journey takes up to nine hours from
Vientiane.
From Thailand: Savannakhet is
a designated international border checkpoint, although visas are not
available on entry. You will need a visa in advance or you will have to
make arrangements with a tour company. The ferry from Mukdahan, in
Thailand runs all day between 0830 and 1700 on weekdays, with some
restrictions at weekends.
From Vietnam: The Vietnamese
border town of Lao Bao can be reached 180km west of Savannakhet on Route
9. Tourists can freely pass between Laos and Vietnam, but note that
visas are required in advance by both countries.
The Hochiminh Trail
During the Vietnam war, the
North Vietnamese Army (NVA) used a network of trails, caves and gravel
roads to move ordnance, tanks, trucks, men and provisions to South
Vietnam. The trail became known as the Ho Chi Minh Trail and its
existence at the time was denied by the NVA. The USA, on the other
hand, denied saturation bombing the Trail, within Laos - with 900
sorties per day and over one million tonnes of explosive.
All of the jungle area of the
Trail, previously destroyed with defoliants and herbicides has grown
back. It is possible to visit parts of the trail - but this must be
done with a guide, since there remain tonnes of unexploded ordnance (UXO)
in the area. Venturing off by yourself is not recommended!
Khanthebouly's main
attractions are its noteworthy temples such as the beautiful Wat Saya
Phoum and That Inghang.
That Inghang Stupa
That Inghang stupa is one of
the national stupa, which is the holiest edifice in southern Laos,
housing a hollow chamber with a distinguished collection of Buddha
images. It was built by King Sikhotabong and located about 15 km east
from the provincial capital of Khamthabouly.
That Phon stupa is one of the
significant stupa since it was contracted between the year of 557 to
700. The contraction was taken quite a long time. Festival rite is
annually organized in the full moon of the first month of lunar calendar
to play respect to Phra Shiva and other Lords of Hinduism.
Heuanehine or Stone House, the
rocky house designed by Kham people is also one of the most interesting
sites in this province. Not as old as these prehistoric relicts, but of
no less significance, is the northernmost example of Khmer art at Heuan
Hin (stone house). The building were constructed between 553 AD and
700AD. Today little more than unrestored ruins remain.Near Muang Phin,
on the route to Vietnam, dinosaur remains are on display. A French
scientist discovered them in the 1930s. Dinosaur Exhibition Hall is
situated in Khanthabouly, the capital city of the province. Daily
opened from 8.00 to12.00, and afternoon from 13.00 to 16.00, starting
from Monday to Friday.
Hortai (Wat Nonglamchan
village) is the old wooden building where the Buddha's words have been
kept.
One of the tourist attraction
in Savannakhet is the beautiful waterfall.
|