In the northeastern region of the country, on the right (west) bank Mekong River, it was formerly a district of Nakhon Phanom Province.

In the years 1767–1770, Prince Kinnari, son of Prince Suriwong, ruler in Ban Luang Phonsim of Savannakhét, established a settlement at the mouth of Muk Creek, across the Mekong from Savannakhét.

In the reign of King Taksin, 1768–1782, Prince Kinnari received appointment as Phraya Chandara Sri Surat with a rank equivalent to viceroy.

The monsoon season runs from late-April through early-October, with heavy rains and somewhat cooler temperatures during the day, although nights remain warm.

The Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge, spanning the Mekong River to connect Mukdahan with Savannakhet in Laos was completed in December 2006.