Courtesy of DKJ
| Where is Savannakhet? | ||
    
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Savannakhet (officially known as Muang Khanthabouli, but more commonly called Savan or Muang Savan) was established in 1642 by Lao prince "Thao Keosimphali" (a second son of King Luang of Phonsim). He brought many families from Ban Phonsim (18 kms east of the present Savannakhet's town) to settle down along the bank of the Mekong river and named his small town 'Ban Thahae' (Mineral Port Village). Some crossed the Mekong river to settle down along its bank and named their town 'Ban HuayMuk' (it's known today as Mukdahan or Muang Muk). The original name of the town was "Souvannaphoum". In 1883, the year of the French colonization, the province's name was changed by the French to Savannakhet. It's a second largest city and the most populated province in Laos - (2005 census: 824,662 people). It is located just across the Mekong river from Mukdahan, Thailand. It's 487 kms (247 miles) south of the capital Vientiane, 884 kms (549 miles) from LuangPrabang and 236 kms (145 miles) north of Pakse city. Savan has 12 different ethnic groups, the city is mixed of Lao, Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese communities. Savan is also a major trading route in the southern part of Laos. Lao, Thai, Chinese and Vietnamese-made goods pass through this city daily. Like many cities in Laos, Savannakhet has a number of French colonial and Franco-Chinese buildings. Savannakhet is only place in Laos that the dinosaur remains was first discovered by the French geologist in 1936 at Ban Namo, Palan district and Tangvay area. Interesting places: Sayaphoum temple is the best known for its best Pali school in the city. ThatInghang (Inghang Stupa) is about 15 kms north of the town. Another sacred religious site is ThatPhon (Phon Stupa), it is located 65 kms south of the city. The most typical and beautiful places to see are Ban Kengkok and HouanHin (the ancient Khmer ruin of a stone house). Map of downtown Savannakhet Province, Laos North Central South |
