Is Don Det Worth It? Why We Loved This Little Island

When we first planned our trip to Laos, we kept hearing whispers about Don Det, the hammocks, sunsets, zero traffic, relaxation and pure island vibes. But we also wondered: is Don Det worth it? Especially considering its location on the map and how tricky it might be to reach our next destination.

After spending nearly two weeks there, yes, we loved it so much we extended our Laos visas and went back for round two, we can say with absolute certainty: YES, DON DET IS WORTH IT.

If you’re looking for a place to chill, slow down, and just be, Don Det is everything. It’s small and laid-back, with life rolling at its own pace. Kids laughing and fishing in the river, cows wandering down dusty tracks, pink-and-gold sunsets over the Mekong. It’s the kind of place where you can lose track of time completely, and that’s exactly the point.

Just the sunsets alone make Don Det worth it!

Why We Loved Don Det (and Why It’s Worth It)

The sunsets: different shades every night, and always spectacular.
The wildlife: cows, ducks, and chickens casually strolling by, we even saw a buffallo chilling in the river!
The vibe: hammocks, cheap food, and reggae bars – total CHILL
The people: locals just going about their lives, kids playing in the water.
The cats: There are cats everywhere on Don Det. They wander through cafés, curl up under hammocks, and generally own the place.
The chill: if you know, you know. Please remember anything “happy” is technically illegal in Laos, and we definitely don’t condone such behaviour (wink).

Don Det isn’t defined by landmarks or attractions. It’s about the gentle pace, the sunsets over the Mekong, and rediscovering the joy of slowing down after the whirlwind of traveling through Laos.

Emma cuddling one of the many friendly cats on Don Det
Easy Go Backpackers, the place to go for ultimate chill vibes
Reece chilling on the deck outside Paradise Riverview Resort where we stayed

How to Get to Don Det

We booked our trip from Pakse through our hotel, Lankham Hotel. Tickets were 340,000 kip for both of us, which included a 2.5-hour minivan ride with a toilet stop and a boat ticket from Nakasong Pier to Don Det.

The minivan drops you a short walk from the pier, where you swap your ticket for a long-tail boat pass. The ride itself is about 20 minutes, crowded with travelers and bags, but fun and scenic.

The only thing to know: the minivan drops you a 5–10 minute walk from the pier. Once there, you exchange your ticket for the boat pass. The long-tail boat ride itself takes about 20 minutes, crammed with travellers and bags. Easy, smooth, and kind of fun.

This is the spot where you’ll trade your minivan ticket for the boat ride over to Don Det

Backpacks, longtail boats, and a squeeze… yep, classic Southeast Asia travel

Where to Stay on Don Det

Paradise River View – Double rooms with everything you need, basic but comfy, with air and a front river view room if you book early. Not to worry though the Garden view rooms are exactly the same and the riverside deck is open for everyone.

💡 Pro tip: Book early if you want a front-row sunset spot. Rooms sell fast, especially in high season.

Where to Eat

The food on Don Det is surprisingly good and very Western-friendly.

Oi Restaurant – we went here for breakfast, lunch, cocktails and dinner more than once! It become another one of our favourite little spots. Every meal was spot on, service friendly, views of the river, what more could you want?!
Mama Tanon – We had a very yummy Kao Soi here
Samosa Lady – on the pier side, she sells homemade samosas in flavours like chicken, mango, banana, pumpkin, and coconut. We became obsessed with the chicken ones but should’ve tried them all.
Easy Go Backpackers – our secret chill spot. Cheap food and drinks, shade all day, and hammocks by the river. Add some ‘happy’ and it’s a full vibe.

Expect fried food (either wok-fried or deep-fried) but always fresh and tasty. Just don’t expect quick service: this is island time.

What to Do on Don Det

To be honest, we mostly relaxed, but if you’re more active, you’ve got options:

Rent a bicycle or motorbike and explore the island (super flat and easy).
Go kayaking or tubing along the Mekong.
Visit waterfalls nearby.
Snap endless sunset shots.

Or just… swing in your hammock and chill out in one of the riverside cafes. Honestly, that’s the main event here.

Budget: How Much Does Don Det Cost?

We tracked everything (yes, everything). Here’s what we spent:

First Stay (5 Nights, Jan 9–13, 2025):

Accommodation: 2,486,000 kip (5 nights).
Food & Drinks: Mix of brunches (120–335k), dinners (140–355k), and drinks (10–165k each round).
Extras: 200–350k weed, ciggies 25–60k, bus to Don Det 340k.

Second Stay (7 Nights, Jan 16–22, 2025):

Accommodation: 3,580,280 kip (7 nights).
Food: Brunches around 180–230k, dinners 140–329k, cheap samosas & snacks everywhere.
Weed: 200k (proper home-grown stuff).
Transport: Bus + boat to Don Det 360k, bus to Da Nang, Vietnam 1.9 million kip.
Misc: Ciggies 25–50k, postcards, T-shirt, snacks, even paracetamol.

Daily Spend (Couple): We averaged ~600–800k kip/day (about $30–40 USD), including accommodation, meals, and extras. Super affordable for paradise living.

Best Time to Visit Don Det

The dry season (Nov–April) is the best time. We visited in January (peak season) and were surprised how uncrowded it felt. The island is small, but it never felt packed.

We had one short power cut (about an hour), but otherwise electricity and Wi-Fi were solid. I even worked online for a few days with no issues.

Final Thoughts: Is Don Det Worth It?

If your ideal trip is packed itineraries, city buzz, and constant sightseeing, Don Det might not be for you.

But if you want to slow down, swing in a hammock, sip Beer Lao, watch the sun melt into the Mekong each night, and occasionally witness a buffalo chilling in the river, then Don Det is 100 percent worth it.

We came for a few days and did our only visa extension the whole trip to stay here. That says it all.