Salavan

Southern-lying Salavan province runs between the borders with Thailand and Vietnam. Just like Savannakhet province, this area was once the realm of the Kingdom of Chenla, then Lan Xang, and later still Champasak. During the Indochina War, the regional capital of Salavan suffered badly. The Bolaven Plateau runs through the middle of the province, where coffee is the main industry.

It’s great fun to stop and try the local fruit along the way. The best ones are those with skins, which you don’t need to wash – like avocados, bananas and dragon-fruit. You can also buy lotus-fruit, or eat lotus-seeds like sunflower seeds. 

The statues of seven great Revolutionary leaders of Laos – cast in China – were erected in their native towns. The process of delivery them was marked ceremoniously along the entire route. This statue of Sithon Kommadam (1908-77) was put up in the town of Paksongkha on the Bolaven Plateau – in a park which is also named after him.