Asia

Sabai dee and welcome to this guide to Travel in Laos. Laos is a small country in South-East Asia, somewhat overshadowed by its neighbours Thailand and Cambodia, which has managed to develop without becoming tourism-dependent. This doesn’t in any way mean that it’s not worth visiting! Picture a landscape of rice paddies as far as the eye can see, where it’s not unusual to see water buffalo working the land. It’s a country where the beauty of the stormy skies mingles perfectly with the waters of the rivers. The people are unbelievably kind. Buddhism is omnipresent and governs every stage of life. It’s a country where you can switch off from normal life, chill out, take your time and just listen to the rice grow. It’s a country that’s simply a delight to travel in. You’re not imagining it: a stay in Laos is an exquisite and timeless experience. You will be charmed by the sublime Luang Prabang. The former capital houses magnificent temples and monasteries, interspersed with a wonderful natural landscape of hills and the waters of the Mekong. The Mekong, or ‘mother of water’ is sure to be the common thread that runs through your trip to Laos, as you follow its winding course by bus, by car and above all by boat, one of the best ways to immerse yourself in the ancient kingdom of a million elephants…

Laos

Xiengkhouang

Being on the other side of the Mekong than Pakse, it's a great departure point if you're heading to Wat Phou Champassak. The village itself is not void of interest, and you'll be enchanted by a short stay here.

Champassak

Khong

Muang Sing is a pretty village miles from anywhere, about 2 hours from Luang Nam Tha and lost in the countryside of northern Laos. 

Muang Sing

Don Det is one of the biggest of the 4,000 Islands floating in the Mekong, in the south of Laos near the Cambodian border. 

Don Det

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Although the area has everything that you love, a bit like Van Vieng, Don Det has become everything that I detest about <a href="/laos/">tourism in Laos</a>. Don Det is nothing but an endless row of guesthouses, bars, and restaurants, all stuck together. It's a shame because without all that Don Det would be heavenly. I came here to enjoy wonderful sun sets, see the pink Irrawaddy dolphins, and the waterfalls at Li Phi and Pha Peng. Only marvellous sights. But, oh how disappointing! But don't leave straight away. Luckily I've tested it for you and I can give you an answer to the problem. One piece of advice and you don't have to go far for it. I found the happiness I had been expecting by crossing the bridge and going over to Don Khone which is much wilder. Paradise is there, right opposite Don Det.

Don Det is one of the biggest of the 4,000 Islands floating in the Mekong, in the south of Laos near the Cambodian border.

Don Det is the perfect place to unwind and, even though you can swim (as most Laotians do), we decided to give it a miss - the water didn't seem that clean... It's a great place to stretch out in a hammock with a good book, whilst watching fishermen and children enjoying life on the Mekong in their canoes. If that sounds too lazy, you can always hire a bike, ride around this little hillock, cross over to Don Khon, the island next door, and see its (paying) waterfalls or banana plantations before stopping for a glass on the riverbank. We loved our time on the river and the lifestyle along the Mekong: why not end your day with an evening stroll under a star-filled sky once the sun has set? Finally, <a href="/laos/">if you want to explore Laos</a> or are deciding where to go in southeast Asia, then Don Det is a great entry point into the country, as it's only a few kilometres from the Cambodian border.

Situated at the far south of Laos, Don Det, an island surrounded by 4,000 others in the middle of the Mekong, is a peaceful retreat, where you can take a stroll or laze back in a hammock by the riverbank.

Don Det Vacations

Don Det: How to get there?

Don Det: See when to go ?

Don Det: For how long?

Don Det: What to see nearby?