He is a multi-lingual writer and translator, writing mainly in Assamese besides English and Hindi. Till now he has written nine novels, four short story collections, one folk tale collection, one biography and autobiography each, one travelogue, one drama and several one-act plays, translated books from English and Hindi to Assamese and Assamese into English and also edited journals. Besides he has written many articles, columns in daily papers etc., which are not yet published in book form.
His notable novels include Maun Outh Mukhar Hriday, Saw Kata Manuh, Sonam, Moi Akou Janam Lam, etc., while Papor Pukhuri, and Dhar Aru Ananya Galpa are his popular short story collections. His novels Sonam, Mising and Bish Konyar Deshat were made into National Film Award winning feature films while his other novels and a few short stories were made into TV serials and adapted to dramas. Several of his novels and short stories have been translated to other languages and also taught in universities, colleges and schools. Dramas written by him and adapted from his novels and short stories have been staged across the country. Many research scholars have received PhD and DLitt degree doing research on his novels and short stories.
Yeshe Dorjee Thongchi has been honoured with over two dozen awards, the foremost being Padmashri Award by Government of India and Sahitya Akademi Award for his Assamese novel Moun Outh Mukhar Hriday. His other awards include Sukapha Award from Government of Assam and Assam Valley Literary Award. He was also conferred with DLitt (Honoris Causa ) by Dibrugarh University.