It was part of the Champasak Kingdom in an area known as Muang Mang inhabited by minorities of Mon-Khmer groups.

The central part of the province is located on the Bolaven Plateau, which is a key agricultural area with Arabica coffee as the dominant cash crop.

[3] In the Indochina war, Salavan town was subject to extensive depredation when its control frequently shifted between the Royal Forces and the Pathet Lao.

Subsequent to the extensive damage caused to the town during the 1971 Indochina war, it has been rebuilt as per modern urban planning concepts.

[4] Nang Bua Lake, from where the Se Bon River originates, is 15 kilometres (9.3 mi) from the city.

The central part of the province is located on the Bolaven Plateau, which is a key agricultural area with Arabica coffee as the dominant cash crop and other horticultural products which are exported.

[4][6] In addition to the Bolaven Plateau and the Mekong, the topography includes plains and a mountainous region near the border with Vietnam.

Its avifauna includes Blyth's kingfisher (Alcedo hercules), yellow-billed nuthatch (Sitta solangiae), and Vietnamese crested argus (Rheinardia ocellata).

Notable avifauna is the last known nesting little terns (Sternula albifrons); there are also small pratincoles (Glareola lactea), river lapwings (Vanellus duvaucelii), wire-tailed swallows (Hirundo smithii), and river terns (Sterna aurantia).

Notable avifauna include Siamese fireback (Lophura diardi), red-collared woodpecker (Picus rabieri), green peafowl (Pavo muticus), and grey-faced tit babbler (Macronous kelleyi).

Forest products of damar, fish and sticklac are exploited by the ethnic population living in the reserve for economic sustenance; they also have livestock and shifting cultivation practices.

[12] The ethnic groups in the province comprise the Tahoy, Pako, Katang, Kado, Suay, and Laven.

The village is located on the Ho Chi Minh Trail where UXOs are found and are a threat to the people.

[14] Lam Salavane is a Lao language folksong derived from Mon–Khmer styles, accompanied by drums, fiddles, flutes, khenes, lutes, and other percussive instruments.