Don Det, Laos: travel guide
Mekong island in the Four Thousand Islands, with waterfalls and hammocks
One of the Si Phan Don (Four Thousand Islands) in the Mekong near the Cambodian border, with the regions waterfalls and the relics of the French colonial portage railway.
About Don Det
Don Det is a small island in Si Phan Don, the Four Thousand Islands, where the Mekong spreads wide near the Cambodian border. It is an island rather than a town, with a slow, hammock-and-river atmosphere.
Li Phi Falls, on the neighbouring Don Khon, and Khone Phapheng Falls on the mainland are the big natural sights. Remnants of the French colonial railway, including the old bridge and locomotive, add a historic touch, and cycling between islands is a popular way to spend the day.
Don Det suits travellers who want to unwind and cycle around the river. The cooler months from November to February are the most pleasant, and the river runs high in the wet season.
- Country
- Laos
- Currency
- LAK
- Time zone
- Asia/Bangkok
Last updated
Top places to visit in Don Det
Wat Khone Nua
Temple · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Mekong Dolphins
Viewpoint · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Li Phi Falls
Waterfall · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Khone Phapheng Falls
Waterfall · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Tad Khone Pa Soi Waterfall
Waterfall · 4.2 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Old French Bridge
Heritage · 4.2 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Old Steam Locomotive
Heritage · 3.9 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Old Gantry Crane
Heritage · 4.1 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Wat Khon Ta
Temple · 4.1 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Xe Pian National Protected Area
Nature · 3.5 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Where to stay in Don Det
Hotels
- Bon Tai Oasis Bungalows USD 28 to USD 55 per night
- Mama Leurth Sunset Guesthouse USD 28 to USD 55 per night
- Bon Tai Resort USD 28 to USD 55 per night
Where to eat
- Chez Fred et Lea Regional, French, Thai
- Emily's Noodle Chicken, Noodles, Asian
- Happy Bar Lao, Breakfast, Asian
- Smiling Lao Bar International
- Lao Long Thai
- Sunset Oi Local
- Tukta Restaurant + Fishing tour Crepe, Asian, Coffee
- The Garden Thai, Lao, Asian
Getting to Don Det
Nearest airport: Pakse (PKZ), about 129 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
Getting around
- Walking
Best time to visit Don Det
- Jan 32°C
- Feb 35°C
- Mar 37°C
- Apr 37°C
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct 32°C
- Nov 32°C
- Dec 31°C
More in Laos
Frequently asked questions about Don Det
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Don Det?
- The highest-rated places in our Don Det guide are Khone Phapheng Falls, Li Phi Falls, Tad Khone Pa Soi Waterfall, Old French Bridge, Old Gantry Crane.
- How do I get around Don Det?
- Ways to get around Don Det covered in our guide: Walking.
- What is the weather like in Don Det?
- Average daytime highs in Don Det run from 31°C in Dec to 37°C in Apr.