The Southern Green Paradise
Provinces: Attapeu, Champasack, Salavanh, Sekong
People & Places: Historic temples and sacred stupas stand proudly many of the region’s town centers, laying testament to its former empires and economic affluence. The remains of possibly the first urban settlement in Southeast Asia dating back to the century can be found at the base of the Vat Phou Temple Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Of interest to war historians is the Ho Chi Minh Trail, which spans the country’s eastern border with Vietnam from Khammouane down to Attapeu. Along the Mekong River are fishing communities known for their relaxed pace of life and distinct cuisine. such as fermented fish (paa dek) and fish salad (laab paa). In the eastern plateaus are mountain communities of Mon-Khmer origins, best known for their intricate cotton textiles and communal long houses. The major festival of the south the Vat Phou Festival in Champasack Province.
Geography & Nature: The geography and nature of the south is extremely diverse. There are the Bolaven Plateau, well known for its coffee plantations, cascading waterfalls and cool climate, the Dakcheung Plateau and Annamite Mountains where new mammal species are being discovered by science each year and the 4,000 Mekong River Islands with expansive wetlands, world class rapids and riverside beaches. Six of the country’s twenty national protected areas (NPA) are in the south, which hold some of the most biologically important areas in the world. Most notably is the Xe Pian NPA with its rich wetland environment and river system inhabited by some of rare migratory and endemic bird species.
Salavanh Province
Salavanh Province is a southeastern province situated on the Bolaven Plateau and is devoted to agriculture and nature, offering idyllic scenery. Salavanh Province is home to the Phou Xieng Thong National Biodiversity Conservation Area, covering nearly 1,000 square kilometer in the western part of the province, next to the Mekong River. It is thought that the Asiatic black bear, banteng, clouded leopard, Douc langur, elephant, gibbon, guar, Siamese crocodile and tiger inhabit this area.Salavanh has vast tracts of forest and is home to three National Protected Areas that harbor a wealth of biodiversity. Xe Xap, (1,335 km2) Xe Bang Nouane (1,970 km2) and Phou Xieng Thong (1,200 km2) lie mostly within Salavanh’s borders, have a range of habitats and micro-climates and are home to a diverse population of ethnic minority groups. The Mekong River separates Salavanh from Thailand and the province also shares a border with Vietnam to the east. The main geological features are the Bolaven Plateau, Mekong River Valley and Southern Annamite Mountains, which rise to over 2,000 meters in the eastern portion of the province.
Champasack Province
Champasack lies to the Southwest and is one of the main political and economic centers of Lao PDR. The capital city, Pakse, is located at the confluence of the Mekong and the Sedon Rivers. In this province you will find ancient temples which were influenced by the Angkor people who settled in Cambodia. There are many different minorities in Champasack who have their own language, culture and lifestyles. Champasack Province is known for its relaxed pace of life, warm hospitality and rich cultural, historic and natural heritage. The province has been ruled by various kingdoms through the ages, and today there are many archaeological remains scattered throughout the province. To the south of Pakse is the Wat Phou Temple Complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Attractions also include the Ancient City, historic colonial buildings, and Done Daeng Island, known for its traditional livelihoods and forested trails. In the southern region of the province is Done Khong and the Four Thousand Islands, or Si Phan Done in Lao. On this stretch of the Mekong is the largest waterfall by volume in Southeast Asia, Khone Phapheng, as well as Li Phi waterfall, noted for its cascading emerald green waters. The endangered freshwater Irrawaddy Dolphins inhabit the Mekong near the Lao-Cambodian border and can be observed from locally chartered boats.
Sekong Province
Sekong is situated in southern Laos. Bordering provinces include Vietnam to the east, Champasack Province to the west, Salavanh Province to the north and Attapeu Province to the south. Sekong is best known for the Bolaven Plateau which is situated in the heart of the southeastern part of Laos. Sekong province is rugged, wild and very scenic, and transportation is very difficult, especially by land in the rainy season. Dotted throughout are villages and small towns such as Lave, Lanam, Kaleum, Dakchung and Thateng, where the majority of people follow the unchanging lifestyle of traditional farming. Overall, the Sekong River valley is characterized by a landscape of a fertile plain patterned with a patchwork of rice paddies and fruit orchards. It’s complex geographical conditions form colorful Eco-Tourism resources, due to its abundance of untouched tropical forests, home to many rare species of flora and fauna.
Attapeu Province
Attapeu is the southern most province in Laos and shares a border with Sekong in the North, Champasack in the West, Vietnam in the East and Cambodia in the South. The Bolaven Plateau is located in the Champasack Province and easily accessed from Pakse. Attapeu is where one can find many minority people. Nine major tribes are in Attapeu: Alak, Katang, Kaleum, Katou, Suay, Nge, Lave, Tahoy, Nyajeung. The capital town, Samakkhixay is built in a large picturesque valley surrounded by mountains and the loop upstream. Attapeu Province is rugged, wild and very scenic. Parts of the Ho Chi Minh Trail can be explored from Attapeu, although using a local guide is essential. In the early morning you can visit the traditional market, where many different minorities go to buy and sell their products. It has a rich history dating back to the Lane Xang Kingdom in the 16th century, as evidenced by the ancient stupa That Saysetthathirath, which local people believe to house the remains of King Sayasetthathirath. In more recent history, the province became known as the “Land of Heroism” for its strong role in the revolution. There is evidence of the war remaining today, mostly concentrated in the eastern part of the province along the Ho Chi Minh Trail.
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