Don Det
Don Det is part of Si Phan Don, the 4000 islands stretch of the Mekong. In this area are the impressive falls of Khon Phapheng, and rapids Li Phi falls, and the home of a small pod of endangered Irawaddy dolphins. Don Det is a backpacker haven, in this ever-so-chilled part of Laos. One can relax in hammock and if feeling energetic take a lazy bike ride round the island and the one next door on Don Khong. Electricity has just come to the islands in the last year.
An important supply route for the French, they even brought in Vietnamese workers to build a railway that took dismantled ships from one part of the Mekong to another to be built again and transport timber and other goods further downstream. The ruins of this can be seen on Don Khong. Many of these Viet families remain today. Other remnants of the French times such as markers and retaining walls are also visible along the Mekong.