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The fascinating and beautiful town of Savannakhet has a rich cultural past which can been seen from its 500-year old Wat Sainyaphum and its wide, tree-lined boulevards and colonial architecture installed by the French during their reign over Indochina a couple of centuries ago. In itself, Savannakhet might appear to have little to offer the visitor, although for many that's part of the town's attraction, and its laid back charm, as the Mekong laps gently at its feet is reason enough to while away a day or two here.
Savannakhet also provides a convenient - and very relaxing - stopping off point when travelling to or from Si Phan Don, the 4,000 islands, and the border crossing with Cambodia. And it's the first port of call for those entering from Thailand via the Mukdahan border (and its magnificent bridge spanning the river) and those coming from Lao Bao on the Vietnamese border.
Savannkhet can be easily traversed on foot and the town has a number of interesting and ancient temples, a large Catholic church dating from colonial times and plenty of interesting French colonial architecture.
The surrounding countryside is a pleasure to explore, with its Khmer ruins, protected national parks, and remnants from the Vietnam war - Savannakhet is located close to parts of the famous Ho Chi Minh Trail. Jungle treks can also be arranged, and even dinosaurs have been found around here and Savannakhet is home to the region's only - to our knowledge - dinosaur museum. And of course, there's the mighty Mekong, along which river trips can easily be arranged.
Accommodation in town is limited to pretty basic budget guesthouses, although there are a few that offer more creature comforts for the less intrepid traveller. Dining and evening entertainments are equally limited in scope, although the town does have one or two gems that are sure to satisfy the palate and the budget (check the relevant listings for details or The Elephant's recommendations). To explore Savannakhet further simply select your channel of choice from the menu at left and let The Elephant guide you.
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