Travel from Sekong to Dak Jung

Traveling to Dak Jung town, Sekong Province, Laos with mr.hotsia

When talking about traveling to the deepest border town of Sekong Province,Dak Jung townI, mr.hotsia, must say it is not as easy as traveling to a big city. Even after many years, the route remains challenging and full of untouched natural wilderness. For adventure travel lovers, I consider this one of the destinations you must try at least once in your life.

Traveling from Thailand to Dak Jung town

I started my journey from Thailand, crossing the Chong Mek border checkpoint in Ubon Ratchathani Province. Then I took a bus to Pakse, an important city in Champasak Province, Laos, which took about 4-5 hours. Upon arrival in Pakse, I changed vehicles to continue to Sekong town. The bus departs in the morning and arrives in Sekong in the afternoon. Sekong is an essential stopover; I recommend staying one night to prepare for the next leg to Dak Jung because the roads and conditions are still quite difficult and time-consuming.

From Sekong, I continued to Thaback, the ferry pier crossing the Sekong River, to wait for a vehicle to Dak Jung town, about 100 kilometers away. Thaback is about 3 kilometers from the main bus station in Sekong. Tuk-tuks or jumbo taxis here charge about 60 baht per person.

The road from Sekong to Dak Jung is under construction to connect to Danang city in Vietnam, expected to be completed in 2016. This road is only open to vehicles at certain times. The bus service is unofficial, without a roof, and does not depart on schedule. You must wait at Thaback pier. Departure times are usually in the morning between 7 and 9 AM.

Most of the vehicles I used were large six-wheeled trucks packed full of people. Sometimes I had to prepare a face mask because of the heavy dust along the route. If lucky, you might get a ride with a company vehicle going to work in Dak Jung, which is enclosed, dust-free, and plays music throughout the trip. The fuel contribution cost is about 240-300 baht.

Atmosphere and accommodation in Dak Jung

Upon arrival in Dak Jung, I chose to stay at a simple local house with shared bathrooms downstairs. The weather was very cold, so many might not want to shower often. For me, once was enough. This type of accommodation costs about 200 baht per night, with 3-4 rooms available. If fully booked, you can share the same house with 4-5 people. The locals are friendly and easy to talk to, making me feel right at home.

Important to know: Upon arrival, you must register and pay a city entrance fee of 20,000 kip. Officials will check your passport and issue the necessary documents. Also, photography in town requires permission from the Dak Jung Advertising and Culture Office to avoid problems later. I used this method and received excellent assistance from the staff.

Lifestyle and the Triang ethnic group in Dak Jung

What made me most eager to visit Dak Jung was meetingthe Triang ethnic groupHere, the Triang people (pronounced Ta-riang) are different from the Karen and have their own language called Dak Kang. Although some words sound similar to Thai, it is mostly unintelligible. Most Triang live in Dak Jung town and nearby villages such as Ban Nam Suang, which I had the chance to visit.

Ban Nam Suang is about 4 kilometers from Dak Jung town. You must ride a motorcycle through difficult paths crossing several streams, but it is still accessible by a regular motorcycle, no need for a dirt bike. The village has about 30 households with several hundred residents. The natural water sources remain clean and very important to the villagers.

Experiencing the Triang way of life directly made me feel like entering a world different from typical cultural tourism. It is a journey that shows real life and teaches the simplicity and close bond with nature of the people here.

Morning market and Sekong town

Before reaching Dak Jung, I stopped atThatang morning marketlocated in Sekong Province, between Pak Song, Sekong, and Salavan. This market has many Vietnamese shops. The morning air is cool and comfortable, perfect for strolling, observing local life, and buying local food.

There are only a few accommodations at Thatang, about 300 baht per night, and no motorcycle rentals. I spent time walking around the market and gathering local information before riding to nearby ethnic villages. Although it does not have as many tourists as Dak Jung, it is a good rest stop on this route.

Travel tips

I want to warn all travelers that visiting Dak Jung during the rainy season is very dangerous because the roads are slippery and landslides are likely. Travel time on the road may take several days and may require sleeping in the forest. Therefore, avoid traveling during this period.

Also, when riding motorcycles in Sekong Province, including Thatang town, helmets must be worn. Although police rarely bother tourists, it is a safety practice that should be followed.

For those who enjoy music, I recommend finding a vehicle with a driver who likes to play music throughout the trip, as it helps relieve travel fatigue very well.

Summary of experience from mr.hotsia

Traveling to Dak Jung was a challenging and very rewarding experience for me, mr.hotsia, who loves nature and traditional cultural tourism. Although the route is not comfortable, the beauty of nature, the Triang people's way of life, and the friendliness of the locals left me with unforgettable impressions.

If you want to follow my footsteps, prepare well, plan to rest one night in Sekong, and don't forget to get proper photography permission at the Dak Jung Advertising and Culture Office for peace of mind during your trip.

For more information and in-depth stories about Dak Jung and Sekong Province, you can followDak Jung town, Sekongwhere I, mr.hotsia, have shared detailed accounts.