Don Khong

Introducing Don Khong

Named for the surrounding river (using the Thai pronunciation khœng rather than the Lao khǎwng), this large island measures 18km long by 8km at its widest point. Most of the islanders live in and around two villages, Muang Khong on the eastern shore and Muang Saen on the west; an 8km road links the two.

Even in Laos, where ‘sleepy’ seems an almost universal adjective where provincial towns are concerned, Muang Khong is the very definition of the sleepy district capital. Life moves slowly here, like a boat being paddled against the flow on the Mekong, and you’ll seldom be disturbed by a vehicle. It’s no party town – keep going south for that –but the torpid pace of life here and the sights around the island make it an attractive place to spend a day or two, getting about on a bicycle or motorbike or just chilling by the river.

As his surname suggests, the postman who went on to become president of Laos, Khamtay Siphandone, was born in Si Phan Don in 1924 – in Ban Hua Khong at the north end of Don Khong, to be exact. His family are quite influential here though tales that he is seeing out his retirement on the island are apparently untrue.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009