The name derives from Savanh Nakhone ('heavenly district' or 'land of fertility suitable for agriculture') the province's original name.

Savannakhet is the largest province, covering an area of 21,774 square kilometres (8,407 sq mi).

[5] The Second Thai–Lao Friendship Bridge over the Mekong connects Mukdahan province in Thailand with Savannakhet in Laos.

The Dong Phou Vieng is known for its forest with vegetation, a sacred lake and That Ing Hang Stupa; there are Eld's deer, silver langurs and hornbills.

[9] Its capital was in the north-west of the province, in what later is the village of Meuang Kabong, on the eastern shores of the Banghiang River, about 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) east of the Mekong.

During the Vietnam War, the eastern part of the province was crossed by the Ho Chi Minh trail.

[4] In the Ban Nonglamchan Village in Champhone District, there is a library which contains a collection of manuscripts written in the Kham-Pali and Lao languages on palm leaves which are stated to be 200 years old.

The Ho Chi Minh trail and remnants of American tanks and warplanes are on display in Phin District on Route 9, near the Lao Bao border check post.

[21] A Cretaceous fossil site is Tang Vay, 120 kilometres (75 mi) northeast of Savannakhet, which dates to 110 million years ago.

The site was discovered by the geologist Josué Hoffet in 1936 and was explored by a team led by Philippe Taquet from the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle of Paris in the 1990s.

It was built to commemorate a visit of Lord Buddha when he was the guest of King Sumitatham of the Sikhottabong Kingdom.

As the Buddhist centre and largest monastery in Laos, its arts and architecture are dated to the earliest Savannakhet period.

The festival held here during the first full moon of the lunar calendar marks tribute to Phra Sghiva and some Hindu gods.