Major city · Laos
Don Khong
Spend 1–2 days on Don Khong for a quiet Mekong island vibe; one night is enough for market, village walk and a boat hop to Don Det.
Don Khong is the largest island in Si Phan Don, with about 20 villages where people fish and farm the Mekong floodplain. Tourist infrastructure is thin, so 1–2 days covers the market, a village ride and a boat hop to Don Det or Don Khon.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- LAK
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid May–Oct (rainy season)
- Airport
- PKZ
- Nights
- 1‑2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore…
- Southeast Asia ↗Drug trafficking can carry the death penalty in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Brunei and Myanmar; never carry a bag or parcel for anyone.
- Southeast Asia ↗Carry a passport valid for at least six months from entry with two blank pages; airlines refuse boarding on less.
- Laos ↗Get the visa only from the official government e-visa portal or at the airport or border desk; lookalike sites charge extra.
- Laos ↗Carry Lao kip in small notes; small shops, tuk-tuks and markets are cash-only, and Thai baht or US dollars are only accepted at some tourist businesses.
- Laos ↗At dawn alms-giving, watch from across the street, keep quiet, never use flash and never touch a monk.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Don Khong191 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Don Khong, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Lao kip (LAK) in small notes for markets, tuk-tuks and food stalls.Laos-wide
- SIM or eSIMUnitel, Lao Telecom and ETL sell SIMs at airports and shops; passport registration required.Laos-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap; bottled and refill water everywhere.Laos-wide
- TippingRestaurants: Round up or leave LAK 10,000–20,000.Laos-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B/C/E/F. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Laos-wide
- SafetyDon Khong is low‑risk; main concerns are river currents and limited medical services – carry basic first‑aid and avoid swimming at night.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels and cafés; squat toilets with a water scoop at bus stops and markets.Laos-wide
- Emergency numbers191 police · 190 fire · 195 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidayscheckGovernment offices close on all holidays; many shops shut for Pi Mai; Luang Prabang has a late-night curfew for bars (about 23:30 — check).Government offices close on all holidays; many shops shut for Pi Mai; Luang Prabang has a late-night curfew for bars (about 11:30 PM — check).Laos-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckPKZ Pakse Airport (about 150 km (93 mi), 3‑hour bus to Pakse then boat to Don Khong (check schedules).).PKZ Pakse Airport (about 93 mi (150 km), 3‑hour bus to Pakse then boat to Don Khong (check schedules).).
- Getting aroundcheckBicycle or walking are the main ways; boats run between islands a few times daily (check local timetable).
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- PKZ Pakse Airport (about 150 km (93 mi), 3‑hour bus to Pakse then boat to Don Khong (check schedules).)PKZ Pakse Airport (about 93 mi (150 km), 3‑hour bus to Pakse then boat to Don Khong (check schedules).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Apr
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jul
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Aug
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Sep
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Nov–Feb. Avoid: May–Oct. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)), coolest Jan (17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C) low), wettest Aug (23 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Don Khong: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Mar
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
4 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
8 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17 rd
Jun
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
20 rd
Jul
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
22 rd
Aug
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
23 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
20 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
5 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Bicycle or walking are the main ways; boats run between islands a few times daily (check local timetable).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Don Det
goDoor to door: ≈45 min total
Boat from Don Khong pier, about 30 min
Popular for bike rides and waterfalls; easy return the same day.
Don Khon
goDoor to door: ≈35 min total
Boat from Don Khong pier, about 20 min
Smaller island with the famous Khone Phapheng Falls view.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Don Khong Guesthouse
Simple bamboo rooms near the main market; good for 1‑2 nights.
Mekong Riverside Bungalow
Basic wooden bungalows on the riverbank; walkable to villages.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- LAK 30,000–45,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- LAK 45,000–70,000 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room2 × 1 night × LAK 25,000 | LAK 50,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × LAK 55 | LAK 110 |
| Boat transfer Pakse ↔ Don Khong (round‑trip)2 × LAK 120,000 · check | LAK 240,000 |
| Bike rental (per day)2 × LAK 5,000 · check | LAK 10,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | LAK 30,011 |
| Trip total≈ LAK 165,061 per person per day, bed included | LAK 330,121 |
Basic bamboo room with fan.
2026 estimate in LAK; flights and transport to Pakse excluded.
Prices of common things
| Fresh Mekong fish (market) | LAK 2,000–5,000 per kilo |
| Bicycle rental | LAK 5,000 per day |
| Boat ticket Pakse ↔ Don Khongcheck | LAK 120,000 round‑trip |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Early market opens at 4:30 AM – be ready if you want fresh fish.Early market opens at 4:30 AM AM – be ready if you want fresh fish.
- Limited cash facilities; bring Lao kip and small change.
- No reliable internet; plan offline maps.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 191
- Fire
- 190
- Ambulance
- 195
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Don KhongDon Khong
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ເຖິງທີ່ນີ້, ກະລຸນາTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police191
- Fire190
- Ambulance195
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Pakse → Don Khong boat: about LAK 120,000 round‑trip (check)
- Bike rental on Don Khong: LAK 5,000 per day
Say or show
- ເທັ່ນແດ່ — How much? (thên dâe)
- ຕະຫຼາດຢູ່ໃສ? — Where is the market? (tá-lát yù sái?)
- ຂ້ອຍຕ້ອງການຫ້ອງພັກສອງຄືນ — I would like a room for two nights (khǒi tâwng kǎn hǒng pháak sǒng khǔen)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Don Khong. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid May–Oct (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Don Khong
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