It has five districts: Samakkixay, Xaysetha, Sanamxay, Sanxay, and Phouvong, covering an area of 10,320 square kilometres (3,980 sq mi) with a population of 127,285.

[4] A large part of the province is managed by the Dong Ampham National Biodiversity Conservation Area.

Earlier to this it was a habitat of wild buffaloes known as "Idkabue" (meaning, 'buffalo dropping'), which, in the French colonial regime, became "Attapeu".

During the revolutionary war against the French, the province was the headquarters of the National Liberation Front; the pro-Royalist militia group led by General Vang Pao.

Dong Ampham is home to "some of the last intact areas of lowland and tropical forests remaining in mainland Southeast Asia.

[citation needed] Its population is reported to be 110,000 and consists of several ethnic communities; 15 major tribes are reported in the province which include Lao, Alak, Katang, Kaleum, Katou, Suay, Oy, Taoy, Sadang, Nge, Lavea, Lavenh, Cheuang, Tariang and Nyaheung groups.

In the rural economy Laos (80 percent of rural households), the dependency on forest resources is great, concentrated in the fields of wild animals and plants, exchanged and extracted for achieving sustainable income; fish is one of main aquatic vertebrates exploited, apart from other terrestrial and aquatic vertebrates.

Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group has acquired rights to grow rubber trees in the province.

The company also plans to invest in electricity generation, sugar refining, and organic fertilizer production.

[4] The temple of Wat Luang Muang Mai in the capital city of Attapeu was built in 1939 and is notable for original naga barge boards.