IgoUgo

Savannakhet Journals

Savannakhet is Not a Savannah

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A March 2004 trip to Savannakhet by SeenThat

Voting in Savannakhet, Laos Photo - Laos, Asia More Photos
Quote: The main port in landlocked Laos, Savannakhet is an important and inevitable stop while traveling in Southern Laos.

Savannakhet

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Attraction

Voting in Savannakhet, Laos Photo - Laos, Asia
Quote:
Where am I?Was I in Khanthabouli, Kaysone Phomvihane, Savan or Savannakhet? All the answers were correct. Khanthabouli was the old name of the town, which was renamed Kaysone Phomvihane. The town is the capital of the Savannakhet province and is usually referred to with the province name (in Laos most provincial capitals use the province’s name) or with its short form: Savan.Is it a Savannah?Savannakhet means "Paradise City," "Nakhet" is a distortion of "Nakhon" a word featured in many Laotian and Thai names that means "city...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on May 6, 2008

Lao Bao, Ho Chi Minh Trail and the DMZ

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Attraction

Lao Bao Photo - Laos, Asia
Quote:
Crossing to Vietnam from Savannakhet is simple; daily buses reach the Lao-Bao border roaming through Road 9; the visa to Vietnam must be arranged in advance. Direct buses to Dong Ha in Central Vietnam leave every other day.The former paragraph could end this article if it wasn’t for two exciting attractions along this way: the Ho Chi Minh Trail and the DMZ. I strongly recommend avoiding direct transport to Vietnam and exploring these two important sites; an additional stop at Saravan...Read More
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Member Rating 5 out of 5 on May 6, 2008

Saravan and Bolaven Plateau

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Attraction

Welcome to Saravan Photo - Laos, Asia
Quote:
On several occasions I commented on the exceptional qualities of Laotian Coffee, probably is one of the best coffee crops in the world; now it is time to visit its source. A big part of southern Laos is a high plateau; most of the Saravan province – including the Saravan (or Salavan) capital town - is on it. The plateau’s name is Bolaven; practically all of the Laotian coffee grows atop it. Featuring an altitude of between 1000m and 1300m in a sub-tropical area, the plateau is i...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on May 8, 2008

The Laotian Mekong

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Attraction

Thailand across the Mekong from Huay Xai Photo - Huay Xai, Laos
Quote:
Moving, flowing destinations with quietly implied adventures, rivers are the ultimate destination for travelers. More than anything else, the Mekong is a human river, countless cultures and civilizations were born, grew up and gave way to others on its shores; crossing Laos along its whole length, it offers an awesome encounter with this landlocked country.GeographyThe Mekong is considered to be the tenth-longest river in the world, and the tenth-largest by volume. Despite the p...Read More

Member Rating 5 out of 5 on May 9, 2008

Trapped In Kindness

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Story/Tip

Money Bricks Photo - Laos, Asia
Quote:
I arrived at Savannakhet after having crossed the border from Cambodia and having travelled on an ice truck for a day or so. The thick layer of dust covering me protected me from the merciless Mekong sun.It was neither my first nor my last trip in Laos and I felt confident enough to travel around with minimal amounts of local money. However, having entered the country the day before, I had almo...Read More

About the Writer

SeenThat

SeenThat
Tel Aviv, Israel

Savannakhet Tips & Stories

Trapped In Kindness

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