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Voykit pocket guide · Laos
Don Khon
ດອນຄອນ
Spend 1–2 days on Don Khon: easy boat ride, walk or bike the French railway trail, see Li Phi Falls and Khon Tai beach, then stay in cheap guesthouses.
Don Khon is a quiet island in the 4000 Islands, reachable by a 25‑minute longtail boat from Ban Nakasang. Its main attractions are Li Phi Falls, the former French railway trail and a small sand stretch called Khon Tai. With limited dining options and cheap guesthouses, a short stay of one to two days is sufficient.
- Country
- Laos
- Local name
- ດອນຄອນ
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- Avoid
- Apr–Oct
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- LAK
- Money
- Lao kip (LAK) in small notes for markets, tuk-tuks and food stalls.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₭30,000–50,000 excl. bed · Mid ₭80,000–120,000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Unitel, Lao Telecom and ETL sell SIMs at airports and shops; passport registration required.
- Emergency
- Police 191 · Fire 190 · Ambulance 195
- Plugs
- Types A, B, C, E, F · 230 V · 50 Hz · Most sockets take flat US and round European pins.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: Round up or leave LAK 10,000–20,000.; Guides and drivers: LAK 50,000–100,000 a day.; Massage: LAK 20,000–30,000.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap; bottled and refill water everywhere.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop at bus stops and markets.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal (burger, fried rice, laap) | ₭30,000–50,000 |
| Bike rental | ₭15,000–20,000 per day |
| Longtail boat (mainland → Don Khon) | ₭30,000 (check) |
| Water refill (guesthouse) | Free |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- PKZ · Pakse Airport
- About 3 h by road and boat to Don Khon
Typical fares
- Longtail boat Ban Nakasang → Don Khon
- ≈ ₭30,000, 25 min (check)
- Bike rental (per day)
- ₭15,000–20,000
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Walk the island or rent a small bike for 15,000–20,000 Kip per day (Feb 2024).
See and do
Known for
- Li Phi Falls
- Former French railway trail
- Khon Tai beach
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Don Det | Cross the French railway bridge on foot (≈5 min) or by bike | 10 min total |
Sleep
- Pa Kha Guesthouse
- River‑front rooms, fan or A/C, 50,000–120,000 Kip per night
- Seng Ahloune Guesthouse
- Bungalows with river view, $15–25 (≈210,000–350,000 Kip), exchange service
- Somphamit Guesthouse
- Fan bungalow 80,000 Kip, A/C 120,000 Kip, free water refills
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | ສະບາຍດີsabaidee |
| How much? | ຈ່າຍບໍ່?jaay baw? |
| Where is the bathroom? | ຫ້ອງນ້ຳຢູ່ໃສ?hong nam yu sai? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Nop (palms together) and 'sabaidee'; avoid: Loud greetings and hugs
- Temples: Covered shoulders and knees, shoes off; avoid: Pointing feet at images; women touching monks
- Keeping calm: Stay relaxed; 'bor pen nyang'; avoid: Anger in public
- Baci ceremony: Keep the white strings on your wrist for three days; avoid: Cutting them off
- Head and feet: Keep feet down; avoid: Touching heads
Scams and watch-outs
- Longtail boats create morning noise near the pier; choose a quieter bungalow if sensitive.
- Food quality is basic and often salty; stick to a favourite dish.
- The French railway bridge is free (Feb 2024) but can be crowded.
Generally safe; petty theft rare, keep valuables secure, watch boat safety and avoid night river travel alone.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Don Khon yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Li Phi Falls
- Former French railway trail
- Khon Tai beach
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Don Khon: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Don Khon, revision 5300260 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5300260
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/don-khon). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.