Savannakhet, Laos Travel Experience from A - Z Summer 2024

Located on the East-West economic corridor with one of the largest populations in Laos, Savannakhet is becoming a popular tourist destination for Vietnamese travelers in the summer of 2024. To better understand the beautiful city of Savannakhet, let's go through some important information with Vietjet Air to make your trip to the "Land of a Million Elephants" more ideal.

1. Where is Savannakhet, Laos located? What does Savannakhet have?

Savannakhet - the "Paradise City" is a province in central Laos, where a key route connecting the East-West Economic Corridor passes through. Therefore, it is known as the second largest economic center of Laos and is also a famous shopping destination here because it is home to many bustling urban areas, busy markets filled with sellers, buyers, and tourists.

Savannakhet has a very large population of up to 70,000 people. Although it does not have many famous tourist sites with ancient monuments like the ancient capital of Luang Prabang or the high socio-economic development rate like Vientiane, Savannakhet still attracts visitors with many ancient architectural works.

Not only is it an economic capital, but Savannakhet is also a major cultural center of Laos. In particular, it has many cultural and religious attractions.

2. How to get to Savannakhet, Laos?

Adjacent to Vietnam, travelers can visit Savannakhet via the Lao Bao border gate (Quang Tri) and then take a coach to reach Savannakhet. However, to enter Laos, travelers need to present certain documents such as a passport and a Vietnam-Laos transit permit for their vehicles.

Additionally, to get to Savannakhet, Laos from Hanoi, you must take a bus from Hanoi to Vientiane. On the way to Vientiane, the bus will stop for lunch at the Thang Beng intersection, and you will get off there and take another bus to Savannakhet, Laos.

Meanwhile, the fastest and most convenient means of transportation to the land of a million elephants is by plane. Currently, Vietjet operates many direct flights with ticket prices starting at just 120,000 VND. Book your ticket HERE to get the best prices.

3. Top destinations in Savannakhet

3.1 That Ing Hang Temple

This is a famous pilgrimage site for tourists visiting Laos, located west of the city, 15 km away from Savannakhet on National Highway 9. Besides being a sacred pilgrimage site, That Ing Hang Temple also boasts unique architectural beauty.

This Buddhist sanctuary features a square campus highlighted by surrounding walls, inside which are four corridors with roofs sheltering rows of terracotta Buddha statues painted in gold. In the center of the campus is a 10-meter-high cone-shaped stupa, with sandstone sculptures or intricately decorated wooden bas-reliefs around the corners and wooden doors, depicting the Buddha meditating on a lotus pedestal.

3.2 Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum

The Dinosaur Museum in Savannakhet is a special destination featuring dinosaur skeletons unearthed since 1930. Among them is the skeleton of Tangvayosaurus Hoffeti, discovered by Josué Heilmann Hoffet. This dinosaur belongs to the Titanosaurus genus, also known as the giant lizard, which lived at the end of the Cretaceous period, about 83 - 65 million years ago.

3.3 St. Teresa Church

This church is located in the city center, right next to the Savannakhet night market and at the end of the main square, built in 1925. St. Teresa Church has a relatively simple architecture, not as grand and majestic as many other architectural works. However, this place still attracts tourists for taking photos because it is located at the end of the main square and next to the night market.

3.4 Wat Xayaphoum Temple

Wat Xayaphoum is a large and famous temple in the heart of Savannakhet, located along the banks of the Mekong River. This structure was established in 1542, with a monastic community of more than 200 monks. The temple boasts wonderful beauty with its unique architecture and a green garden for you to enjoy and relax.

With its magnificent and grand architecture, Wat Xayaphoum Temple is one of the attractions that draws visitors from all over the world.

3.5 Bungva Lake

This is a large natural tourist area with many beautiful and poetic landscapes, fresh and cool air. It is a suitable place to enjoy the beauty of nature and engage in outdoor activities.

3.6 Savanxay Market

Savanxay Market is one of the famous shopping destinations in Savannakhet, Laos, built around 553 BC. The market is constructed entirely of solid stone, bearing the ancient architectural features of the Lao people, and still retains its unique architecture to this day.

This place is a renowned shopping destination in Laos, offering a variety of fresh food items and household goods. You can also find many handicrafts, silk fabrics, and jewelry here.

4. What to eat in Savannakhet, Laos?

In Savannakhet, Laos, you can enjoy many local dishes with distinct flavors and aromas of this country. Some popular dishes include crispy bread (fried bread), found on every street corner and can be enjoyed with milk, coffee, fried eggs, or pate. You can also try other dishes like Lao sticky rice, Tam Mak Houng (spicy papaya salad), Khausoy (thick mushroom soup), and many other street foods.

Notably, an enticing dish that draws diners when visiting Savannakhet, Laos, is Savannakhet chicken. The Lao people use naturally free-range chickens, resulting in firm meat. After cleaning, the chicken is marinated with spices, skewered on bamboo sticks, and grilled over a red-hot charcoal stove. When enjoyed, you will feel the fragrant, sweet, and rich flavor with crispy skin and juicy meat.

5. Notes when traveling to Savannakhet

When traveling to Savannakhet, there are some important notes you need to remember:

Vietnamese citizens are exempt from a visa for Laos and are allowed to stay for up to 30 days.
To make your trip more enjoyable, you need to plan your itinerary and means of transportation. Also, don't forget to book hotel rooms in advance through online booking websites to avoid being fully booked and to get the best prices.
When traveling within the city, you can use a tuk-tuk if going in a large group or rent a motorbike for about 100,000 kip/bike/day.
Laos has a tropical monsoon climate with two distinct seasons: the rainy season and the dry season. The rainy season lasts from May to November, followed by the dry season from December to April of the following year. Therefore, the best time to travel to Laos is during the dry season.
Due to the hot and sunny climate, tourists should prepare hats, masks, sunglasses, sun-protective clothing (for summer), and gloves to protect themselves. Also, you should wear sneakers as you will have to walk quite a lot between nearby attractions.

Savannakhet, Laos, has long been a destination with many attractive tourist spots, attracting visitors with its poetic beauty, accentuated by the Mekong River.

If you are looking for a travel destination with low costs, close to Vietnam, with many unique entertainment, dining, and sightseeing options, Savannakhet, Laos, is an ideal suggestion. To make your Savannakhet trip more economical, don't forget to book plane tickets today with Vietjet at just 120,000 VND HERE. Don't miss Vietjet's "hunt" for 0 VND tickets every Friday.

Update more on Vietjet's travel guide below: