Southeast Asia Information Port News (www.dnyxxg.com) – From November 16th to 19th, 2025, the ASEAN Tourism Standards Assessment Committee (including the Tourism Development Department of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism) conducted an ongoing assessment of Kaysorn Phonwihan City, Savannakhet Province. The assessment covered tourist attractions, hotels, restaurants, handicraft shops, and other cultural and tourism venues, as well as supporting facilities such as landfills and bus stations, aiming to select a city meeting the ASEAN Tourism Standards for 2026.
Lampong Worawong, Director of the Savannakhet Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, pointed out that current cultural and tourism development needs to strengthen coordination and build an efficient collaborative system. Taking U Thongphong District as an example, as a transportation hub connecting Thailand, Vietnam, and Vientiane, the district has enhanced its cultural and tourism appeal by developing specialty foods such as Xeno Chicken Pie. He also recommended that tourists visiting Savannakhet follow a "Three Tours, Four Views, Five Appreciations" itinerary, specifically:
Three Tours: Wat Eng Hang, Wat Tha Phong, Pitok Library (manuscript collection);
Four Views: Savannakhet Museum, Dinosaur Museum, Lao-Vietnamese War Reconciliation Museum, Nong He Thong Ruins;
Five Appreciations: Nong Lahai Ancient City, Dong Na Da National Park, Kaysang Phong Wihan City; Fang Li, Pa Pa, Pa Su I Chan Phong; Ong Mang, Noon Nam Khao, Chonburi Dinosaur Bone Excavation Site; Dong Hin Dang, Pong Sang Mountain, Sisaket Ancient City, Suan Dan, Sai Phut Stone House; Pattana Nam Khao, Wat Ong Seng, Hin Sam Trang, Nam Khao Kheve Labuli.
Lamphong stated that this tourist loop represents the core cultural and tourism resources of Savannakhet. To deeply ingrain the concept of "three tours, four sights, and five appreciations," four folk songs—"Lam Ban Sok," "Lam Khone Savanh," "Lam Nghoai," and "Lam Ma Thai"—were specially created to strengthen the region's cultural and tourism identity. He emphasized that the ASEAN Clean Tourism Standards assessment is crucial for the sustainable development of the tourism industry.
Sawan Patumtun, Deputy Director of the Tourism Planning and Development Department of the Local Tourism Development Department, explained that the ASEAN Clean Tourism Standards city assessment covers multiple dimensions, including environmental management, cleanliness, waste disposal, environmental awareness and cleanliness enhancement, health and safety, urban security, green space construction, and supporting cultural and tourism facilities. Currently, Pakse, Vang Vieng, Prague, Vientiane, and Kaysang Fontevhan have completed the assessment. The results show that these cities generally meet the standards, but some areas still require optimization and improvement.
