Top places to visit in Savannakhet

• French Colonial Quarter Savannakhet

  Heritage · 4.0 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of Laos' best-preserved collections of French colonial architecture outside Luang Prabang. Crumbling yellow villas, art deco shophouses and the Cathedral of Saint Theresa create an evocative time-worn atmosphere.

• Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum

  Museum · 3.8 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of Southeast Asia's more unusual museums, built near where dinosaur fossils were unearthed in the 1930s by French palaeontologists. Exhibits include original fossils and replicas of Phuwiangosaurus, a sauropod unique to the region.

• Wat Sainyaphum

  temple · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The largest Buddhist temple complex in Savannakhet province, dating from the 17th century. The main ordination hall features vivid murals of the life of the Buddha and Jataka tales, with an active monastic community.

• Dong Natad Protected Forest

  Nature · 4.0 rating · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate

  A 4,000-hectare community-protected dry dipterocarp forest 15 km north of Savannakhet, offering guided nature walks, birdwatching, plant identification and cultural homestay experiences.

• Mekong Riverfront Promenade

  waterfront · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  Breezy Mekong promenade facing Thailand, lively at sunset.

• Talat Savan Xai

  local-market · 4.1 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  The city's big central market for produce, goods and street food.

• Champhone Monkey Forest & Turtle Lake

  wildlife · 4.2 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Sacred forest of free monkeys and a soft-shell-turtle lake near Champhone.

• That Ing Hang Stupa

  temple · 4.5 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Revered 16th-century golden stupa, one of Laos's holiest sites, near the city.

• Savannakhet Night Market

  night-market · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Riverside evening market of street food, clothes and grills.

• Champhone District Villages

  village · 4.0 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate

  Rural villages around Champhone known for cotton weaving and rice farming.

• Savan Riverside Square

  square · 3.9 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Open plaza on the Mekong front, a gathering spot for evening strolls.

• Tang Vai Dinosaur Footprints

  landmark · 3.9 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Genuine dinosaur footprints preserved at a rural site near Savannakhet.

Things to do

• Savannakhet Colonial Heritage Walking Tour Walking Tour · 2 h · from LAK 191,000 per person
• That Ing Hang Stupa Visit Cultural · 2 h · from LAK 184,000 per person
• Savannakhet Colonial Cycling Tour Cultural · 2.5 h · from LAK 230,000 per person
• Dong Natad Community Forest Tour Nature · 5 h · from LAK 300,000 per person
• Dinosaur Museum & Tang Vai Footprints Cultural · 5 h · from LAK 346,000 per person
• Champhone Monkey Forest & Turtle Lake Nature · 5 h · from LAK 346,000 per person
• Mekong Sunset Riverfront Walk Sightseeing · 1.5 h · from LAK 115,000 per person
• Heuan Hinh Khmer Ruins Day Trip Cultural · 5 h · from LAK 346,000 per person

Day trips and tours

• Savannakhet Colonial & Eco Day Tour 7 h · from LAK 670,000

Where to stay in Savannakhet

• French Colonial Quarter & Mekong Promenade about LAK 3,300 per night

  The compact heritage core of Savannakhet around the crumbling Indochine-era streets and Mekong riverfront. Quiet, local atmosphere with the best hotels and restaurants all within a 10-minute walk of Wat Sainyaphum and…

Hotels

• Leena Hotel Savannakhet 3-star · LAK 775,700 to LAK 1,551,400 per night
• Xayamoungkhoun Guesthouse 2-star · USD 15 to USD 45 per night
• Daosavanh Resort & Spa Hotel 4-star · USD 45 to USD 120 per night
• Sala Savan Hotel 3-star · USD 30 to USD 80 per night
• Avalon Residence Savannakhet 3-star · LAK 681,676 to LAK 1,363,351 per night
• Hotel Plaza Savannakhet 3-star · USD 30 to USD 80 per night

Where to eat

• Dao Viengxay Restaurant Lao, Asian · about LAK 58,765 per person
• Sabaidee Restaurant Savannakhet Lao, Vietnamese · about LAK 42,311 per person
• Le Jardin Restaurant French, Lao, European · about LAK 199,801 per person
• Lin's Café Cafe, Lao, International · about USD 5 per person
• Café Chai Dee Cafe, Lao, International · about USD 5 per person
• Dao Savanh Restaurant French, Lao · about USD 10 per person
• Riverside Restaurant Savannakhet Lao, Seafood · about USD 7 per person
• Xokxay Restaurant Lao, Vietnamese · about USD 5 per person

Getting to Savannakhet

Airport: Savannakhet (ZVK)

How visitors arrive in Savannakhet

• Bus from Vientiane By road from Vientiane · most visitors

  Local and night VIP buses run from the capital; the guide says it is for now the only practical way to get there from Vientiane. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Cross the Second Friendship Bridge from Mukdahan By road from Mukdahan (Thailand) · common

  Regular buses cross the bridge between Mukdahan and Savannakhet. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Domestic flight from Vientiane By air from Vientiane · possible

  Lao Airlines and Lao Skyway fly to the airport near downtown. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

• Bus along the Mekong corridor By road from Pakse / Tha Khaek · possible

  Local buses connect with Tha Khaek and Pakse. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the bus terminal to the centre

• Tuk-tuk from the bus station

  The bus station lies north of the centre; a tuk-tuk is the usual way into town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

• Tuktuk

  Walking or cycling is the easiest way around Savannakhet; tuk-tuks are available across the city, and the fare should be agreed first.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Tuk-tuk "free tour"

  Major tourist zones

  Cheap city tour ends at gem shops where the driver collects commission.

  How to avoid it: Use LOCA app. Confirm destination + price first.

• Short-Change at Market Stalls

  Talat Savannakhet, morning market

  Vendors at the main market give change in small-denomination Thai baht or Vietnamese dong alongside Lao kip, making it appear you have received full change. These coins are not convertible.

  How to avoid it: Always verify your change is in Lao kip before accepting. Count change carefully at busy stalls. Carry small denomination kip bills to avoid needing change for small purchases.

Best time to visit Savannakhet

• Jan 30°C
• Feb 33°C
• Mar 36°C
• Apr 37°C
• May 34°C
• Jun 33°C
• Jul 31°C
• Aug 31°C
• Sep 31°C
• Oct 31°C
• Nov 30°C
• Dec 28°C

More in Laos

• Vientiane
• Luang Prabang
• Vang Vieng
• Don Det
• Phonsavan
• Pakse

Frequently asked questions about Savannakhet

How many days do you need in Savannakhet?

A typical trip to Savannakhet is 1-2 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Savannakhet?

The highest-rated places in our Savannakhet guide are Wat Sainyaphum, That Ing Hang Stupa, Savannakhet Night Market, Mekong Riverfront Promenade, Champhone Monkey Forest & Turtle Lake.

Where should I stay in Savannakhet?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Savannakhet: French Colonial Quarter & Mekong Promenade.

How do I get around Savannakhet?

Ways to get around Savannakhet covered in our guide: Tuk-tuk, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Savannakhet?

Scams reported to us for Savannakhet include Tuk-tuk "free tour"; Short-Change at Market Stalls. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Savannakhet?

Average daytime highs in Savannakhet run from 28°C in Dec to 37°C in Apr.

Which airport is nearest to Savannakhet?

The nearest airport to Savannakhet has the code ZVK.