Don Kho

Island village in Lao

Don Kho is an island village in the People's Democratic Republic of Lao, located in Champasak Province. It sits in the main stream of the Mekong River upstream (northwest) of Pakse

Don Kho is a small island in the Mekong River with a population of roughly 450 people. It is located several kilometres upstream from the Southern Lao city of Pakse. The villagers here depend very largely on fishing as a source of livelihood. Much of the fish is sold for cash income and used to buy other products and produce. The island is also covered in idyllic rice paddies which provide another source of food for the locals. There has been some tension on the island recently with the local district setting up a "no fishing" exclusion zone in part of the waterways, potentially impacting upon livelihoods. Lao Airlines Flight 301 crashed near Don Kho on 16 October 2013.

There is a very small silk weaving industry on the island, which is regarded highly for the quality of silk and the patterns produced. The island does not have electricity or running water, but tourists are welcome to visit during the day. Currently very few tourists visit this island (at times there are none for months on end) as the resources and attractions are limited. To get there one would need to pay a local boat operator some kip to take you across to the island. The islanders hope, in time, to develop a more substantial tourism industry on the island, but currently do not have the means to do so. The island does now have electricity .