Cityscape

LIN’S CAFÉ Located right on the Talat Yen square (soon to be the Savannakhet Night Market), Lin’s is a favorite of locals and foreigners alike. Western foods, such as pastas, salads, and sandwiches, as well as good Lao and Vietnamese food are served up. Located on a corner with views of St. Theresa’s Church and the Talat Yen, the patio is a great place to relax for a few hours with a book and a cup of Lin’s delicious coffee.

IN SAVANNAKHET

SOOKSAVAN CAFÉ & BISTRO 1966 Located a block away from Talat Yen, and set in a beautifully crumbling heritage building, Sooksavan Café & Bistro 1966 creates tasty Thai and Lao dishes, such as Phad Thai, satay, and curries. People usually come for a meal and enjoy curling up in the retro ambience sipping tea and coffee, and reading a book. LIN'S CAFÉ

MACCHIATO DE COFFEE

MACCHIATO DE COFFEE Just as the name blends several languages, the hipster-vintage décor and extensive menu also bring a mix from different places. Thai, Lao, and Vietnamese food are offered alongside Western comfort foods such as pancakes, steaks, burgers, and pizza. Save room for dessert, as cheesecake, blueberry cookie crumble, and chocolate lava cake will satisfy all sweet cravings. Instagrammers will especially like the hamburgers on charcoal buns and a surprising unicorn cotton candy.

DRINK

LAOCHALEUN BAR Live music in the evenings aids the retro movie ambience of this bar named for a beautiful derelict cinema down the street. Thai/Lao dinners and bar food made for sharing is available here to be washed down with a refreshing lager.

SOOKSAVAN BAR

SOOKSAVAN BAR This evening hotspot attracts both local and foreign visitors to the chill vintage vibes and outdoor seating to see and be seen. Both meals and bar snacks are available to accompany one’s cold beer. LAOCHALEUN BAR

LE COURBEAU BAR Tucked away in a charming heritage building, this combination bar and cafe feels like a vintage speakeasy. Soft jazz plays while you chit chat and while away chit chat and while away a sublime evening. The a sublime evening. The cocktails themselves are artisanal, creative, and absolutely delicious.

SEE

PROVINCIAL MUSEUM

THAT ING HANG

THAT ING HANG This is the most important stupa and the emblem of Savannakhet province. Locals believe that a piece of the Buddha’s spine is enshrined here. The stupa’s name comes from an old legend that the Buddha rested in his travels in this area and leaned on a hang tree. It is located a short drive outside of town. During the full moon in November, it is also home to one of the largest festivals in the province. DINOSAUR MUSEUM Informative and bilingual, this spacious museum contains the most information available on dinosaurs found in Laos. Bones are displayed informally among several glass cases in each room. The English captions and brochure encourage self-learning and visitor interpretation.

ST. THERESA’S CHURCH When the French set up here in the early colonial here in the early colonial days, Catholicism followed. days, Catholicism followed. Bolstered by many Catholic Bolstered by many Catholic Vietnamese entrepreneurs Vietnamese entrepreneurs settling in the downtown settling in the downtown area, it has become a landarea, it has become a landmark for both locals and mark for both locals and tourists. The doors are tourists. The doors are usually open during usually open during the day, inviting anyone to walk in and enjoy its understated Indochinese charm. SAVANNAKHET PROVINCIAL MUSEUM This museum is rather well thought out and gives a full picture of Savannakhet through the ages, from ancient times up through the Angkor and Lane Xang kingdoms, all the way to the victorious struggle for national liberation. There is also a section outside of war remnants and bombs, as a stark reminder of recent wars and UXO clean- up still underway.

ST. THERESA’S CHURCH

DINOSAUR MUSEUM

STAY

SAVAN RESORTS For people looking for something unique, or to strike it rich, this casino hotel will keep you occupied all day and night. Popular with Thai tourists playing a range of games like Baccarat and Hi-Lo, as well as roulette and slot machines, the hotel has upgraded its rooms and add more facilities to cater to families and children to create an all-inclusive resort.

SAVAN RESORTS

SAVAN CAFÉ Set in a beautifully revitalized Chinese shophouse, the rooms are cozy and quaint, and some have private bathrooms. Once you lie down you will not want to get up, as the beds are some of the softest found in Asia. The downstairs area is a popular café and restaurant with great Thai, Lao, and Vietnamese food and coffee, and the rooftop is also a bar in the evenings.

SAVAN CAFÉ