Don Som Riverside Guesthouse
Guesthouse – homestay on Don Som, on of the 4000 Islands (Si Phan Don)
Are you searching for a place that is not visited by many other tourists/ travelers? This might be the place to be for you! The guesthouse – homestay right at the banks of the mighty Mekong river is in the middle of Lao traditional life and if you want to go a bit more ‘off the beaten track’ visiting this place might suit you. The island is just north of the most popular island named Don Det and just south of the biggest Island Don Khong. Take a look at the Facebook page Don Som Riverside Guesthouse or send an email to donsomlaos@gmail.com to contact the owners.
Discover the traditional Lao life on an island
The owners of the guesthouse (homestay style) are very eager to tell you more about Lao traditions and culture and you can see people fishing in the Mekong while relaxing in a hammock with a Beer Lao in one hand and a book in the other. It’s a small guesthouse and personal contact with the owners and family is almost guaranteed. You can rent bicycles and explore the island, make a trip by boat, walk around in the village, explore the ricefields or book another trip in the area with the guesthouse. It’s also possible to combine a visit to Don Som with a visit to Don Det, Don Khone and/ or Don Khong. Information and help with onward travel and reaching the place will be provided.
Cooking Class, learn how to cook Lao food
A great way to understand and learn more about Lao culture is to learn how to cook Lao food. Don Som Riverside provides Lao Cooking Classes. The cooking classes include a visit to a market on the mainland, eating together and of course preparing and cooking Lao food together with explanation in English, Lao, Dutch or limited German. Find out more about this (very affordable) cooking class on this page or the Facebook page 4000 Islands Cooking Class.
Fish like a local
Don Som Riverside also offers fishing trips together with one or two local people. You will fish on the Mekong river in one of the fishing boats for a few hours and experience this aspect of local Lao life.