'''Don Det''' is an island in Si Phan Don in Laos.

Understand

Don Det used to be a really off the beaten track place only ten to five years ago. While even still today you won't find the same crowds here as in Vang Vieng for example, tens of guesthouses have mushroomed around this once well kept secret. Mostly backpackers in their 20's and 30's come to this island to relax. Some stay a day or two, some for weeks and a few have decided to stay for good.

Get in

'''By boat'''

  • Ban Nakasang - three to five hours by bus / jumbo from Pakse. Local public transport leaves from southern bus station in Pakse.
  • Cambodia
  • Get around

    Don Det is a small island. Walking around it takes an hour or two. It is possible to rent bicycles for 8,000 kip from guesthouses and restaurants. Most tourists who do this cycle over the old railway bridge to Don Khong.

    See

    There are no sites to see on Don Det. You have no choice but to chill out here.

    Do

    If laying in a hammock in front of your bungalow isn't enough for you, there are some other very relaxing things to do in Don Det:

  • Swim in the Mekong River. There is a little beach where boats drop people off. It's possible to swin in the waters infront of most of the guesthouses. There are even little fish in the water, which nibble off dead foot skin, if you keep still enough.
  • Tubing. ,000 kip. Rent a tube and float in the Mekong river for a few hours.
  • Waterfalls. Go see waterfalls on Don Khon island.
  • Dolphin Watching. Take a boat tour and see dolphins

    Buy

    Eat

    South East Asian "backpacker food" is available for cheap prices.

  • Mr Mans restaurant (opposite Mr Mans accommodation) has an excellent and inexpensive menu. Their lentil curry and rice soup are highly recommended!
  • Bakery: Surprisingly Don Det has its very own bakery. Serves carrott cake, various muffins and fresh breads cooked daily by Dereks expert hands.
  • Drink

    Beer Lao available everywhere for 10000 kips.

    Sleep

    Tens of Guesthouses from 1$ a night and up - all have basic bungalows that usually have a porch with a hammock, a bed and a mosquito net. There might be a little bit differences with conditions of bungalows, matrices and mosquito nets. Most important thing when selecting your accomodition is that do you want to stay at sunrise or sunset side of Don Det. Bungalows on sunrise side might get pretty warm early on morning resulting you to wake up earlier than you would like to.

    Contact

    There are two internet cafes on the island. They charge 400 kip per minuite. Taking into account that they haven't got mains electricty yet, this is pretty amazing.

    Get out

  • Don Khong - a "French bridge" connects these two islands.