The special administrative zone (ເຂດພິເສດ, khet phiset), Xaisomboun, created in 1994, was dissolved on 13 January 2006.

[1] In 2013, parts of the former special administrative zone was reestablished as Xaisomboun province.

In 1994 Xaisômboun khetphiset (special region) was formed from parts of the Bolikhamxai, Vientiane, and Xiangkhoang provinces.

In 2006 Xaisomboun special region was dissolved and the Longsan, Xaysomboun, Phun, and Hom districts added to Vientiane province, while Thathon district was transferred to Xiengkhuang province.

The provinces are grouped geographically into 3 regions: Northern (Phongsaly, Luang Prabang, Houaphanh, Bokeo, Louang Namtha, Oudomxay, Saiyabouly), Central (Vientiane, Bolikhamxay, Xaisomboun, Xiengkhouang, Khammouane, Savannakhet) and Southern Laos (Champasak, Salavan, Sekong, Attapeu).