The World’s Weirdest Dinosaur Museum? Exploring Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum, Laos

Fairy lights in the shape of a dinosaur skeleton. Handling dinosaur bones without gloves. Display cases full of dinosaur toys. The world’s strangest dinosaur museum must surely be the two-room Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum in Laos. It’s tiny, it’s ill conceived, it’s wonderful!

The name of this museum is Museé des Dinosaures, and it’s located in the city of Savannakhet, in the south of Laos, near the Thai border. It’s not a popular tourist destination, and many people just pass through on their way to other destinations in Laos. Nevertheless, the dinosaur museum is one great reason to hang around the city for an afternoon.

Table of Contents

1. Inside the Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum

The most impressive specimen in the museum is the incomplete skeleton of the Tangvayosaurus Hoffetti, a sauropod specimen local to Savannakhet. Because of the limited space, tangvayosaurus stretches across multiple walls, and her outline is made out in fairy lights.

Laos Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum (Photo: Collected)

Wooden cases house some other dinosaur fossils behind glass, which are only really relevant if you speak French or Laos (no English on the signs). If you have little idea of what you’re supposed to be looking at, the dinosaur bones are also mixed in with random toys. The staff office desk is in one room of the museum, and it’s a little confusing to walk in on a staff member having a snooze during the day. But this is Savannakhet, and locals appear to take things slow here.

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2. Touching dinosaur bones

Nevertheless, the staff are very friendly, and they might even let you hold a real dinosaur bone. When I was handed a bone of a T-Rex foot, I knew this was a rare opportunity. I turned it over in my hand, thinking of how other museums must have been horrified by handling such specimens with bare hands. But hey, at least I got to touch a real tyrannosaurus rex!

3. What is the connection with Savannakhet and dinosaurs?

Dinosaur bones were first discovered in the Tang Vay area in 1936 by French geologist Josué Hoffet. He uncovered Cretaceous era fossils, which weren’t formally excavated until the 1990s. The French Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle, led by Phillipe Taquet uncovered turtles, tree fossils and the Tangvayosaurus Hoffetti, a sauropod named after the region.

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3.1. The Tangvayosaurus

The major discovery in Tang Vay, the Tangvayosaurus, was a 15 metre long sauropod from the Cretaceous period. To imagine what it looked like, it is a cousin of Apatosaurus, or Diplodocus, and would have had a long tail and neck. It was described in 1999, and only two partial skeletons of this species are known to exist.

While people are quick to judge the presentation of the Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum, it does contain one of these two skeletons, making it very unique indeed. The tangvayosaurus is certainly an icon of the city, and even has its own statue built in the city!

The Tangvayosaurus of The Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum (Photo: Collected)

3.2. The city of Savannakhet

Savannakhet has limited activities for tourists, and a visit mostly entails wandering around it’s 20th century historic centre, which is in a state of falling apart. The peeling paint, empty streets and colourful walls certainly make for some interesting photo opportunities, however. You could spend a day here, or one night (max).

3.3. BeerSavan – The Laos Dinosaur beer

The tangvayosaurus has become an unofficial mascot of sorts in Savannakhet, and you can even find it’s picture on their local beer, BeerSavan.

BeerSavan is a pale lager brewed in Savannakhet. It’s not as common as its famous cousin, Beerlao; in fact, it is difficult to find outside of Savannakhet, so enjoy it while you’re there!

The museum is small, and full of kitsch. It is built around the incomplete, but rare skeleton of a tangvayosaurus, but poor signage doesn’t really make its significance obvious to visitors. It’s not going to be a highlight of your trip to Laos, but it’s a fun stop to check out while you wander around Savannakhet.

4. Opening Hours of Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum

The Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum welcomes visitors eager to explore the world of dinosaurs with the following opening hours:

Daily: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Address and opening hour of Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum (Photo: Collected)

While these are the official opening hours, it’s crucial to remember a few things:

Guided tours: If you’re interested in a guided tour, it’s highly recommended to book it in advance. This ensures availability and allows the museum to prepare for your visit.
Specific activities: Certain activities within the museum, such as educational workshops or fossil demonstrations, might have specific start times or require prior booking.

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5. Traveling Cost of Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum

5.1. Admission Fee:

Adults: 20,000 Kip ($2.30)
Children (under 12): 10,000 Kip ($1.15)
Students (with ID): 15,000 Kip ($1.75)
Tour groups (10+ people): 10,000 Kip ($1.15) per person

5.2. Accommodation:

Budget guesthouses: $5-10 per night
Mid-range hotels: $20-50 per night
Luxury hotels: $50+ per night

5.3. Food:

Local restaurants: $2-5 per meal
Mid-range restaurants: $5-10 per meal
Western restaurants: $10+ per meal

5.4. Transportation:

Bus from Vientiane: $10-15
Bus from Pakse: $5-10
Tuk-tuk: $2-3 per trip
Bicycle rental: $2-3 per day

5.5. Other Activities:

Tham Kong Lor Cave: $10
Wat Phra That Ing Hang: Free
Buddha Park: Free

6. Best Time to Visit Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum

To maximize your experience at the Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum, consider these factors when choosing your travel time:

Weather: The dry season (November-April) offers ideal conditions for exploring. Sunny skies and pleasant temperatures ensure a comfortable visit.
Crowds: If you prefer a quieter experience, consider visiting during the shoulder seasons (May-June & September-October). While occasional rain showers might occur, they usually pass quickly.
Events: Check for any local festivals or events that might coincide with your visit. These can add a unique cultural element to your trip.

The Amazing and Spectacular Dinosaur Museum in Savannakhet (Photo: Collected)

7. How to Get to Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum

The Savannakhet Dinosaur Museum is conveniently located in Savannakhet City, Laos. Here are your options for reaching the museum:

Bus: This is the most economical option. Several buses depart daily from Vientiane and Pakse, costing around $10-15. Once in Savannakhet, catch a local bus or tuk-tuk to reach the museum (approximately 10 km from the city center).
Taxi: This provides a faster and more convenient option, especially for groups. Negotiate the fare in advance to avoid surprises.
Motorbike rental: If you prefer exploring at your own pace, consider renting a motorbike for $10-15 per day. Be mindful of road conditions and local traffic regulations.