Ban Nakasang (ບ້ານນາກະສັງ) or Nakasong, is a small riverside town in Southern Laos. It is one of the main stations for boat and bus services into and out of Don Det and Don Kon, the two most popular of the "4,000 Islands" (Si Phan Don).

Understand

Ban Nakasang is the gateway to Don Kon and Don Det and the nearest large market. The town itself is of no real interest to a casual tourist other than to visit the market there and obtain goods that are not available on the islands. It's rather plain, but may seem pleasant if you've just arrived from Cambodia.

Get in

Buses come here from Pakse and Cambodia - see the Si Phan Don article for more info. The last public bus to Pakse departs at about 10am.

Boats go to and from Don Det and Don Khon pier below the ticket office on the riverside just north of the main street. To Don Det the trip costs 15,000 kip one way per person, but boats don't leave until they have at least two fares, so if you want to go immediately (rather than waiting for another passenger to buy a ticket) you pay 30,000. Fares go up 5,000 kip after 5:30pm, and there are no boats after 8pm. If considering buying a round-trip ticket, keep in mind that you may end up booking a boat-included bus ticket to your next destination from one of the agents on the islands.

Get around

The town is tiny, and your two feet will be plenty. But if for some reason you need to get out to or in from the main highway, that is quite a long walk.

Buy

There are now ATMS across the street from the bus station.

Eat

There are some places to eat close to the Mekong. Most of the places serve Lao food such as noodle soup.

Sleep

There are several guest houses in and around the town if you should end up here and wish to spend a night or are forced to.

Go next

Buses leave for Pakse from the market. The last public bus of the day is at about 10am, or the private bus from Don Det to Pakse, booked in advance with an agent, departs once a day about 11:45am.