I went on the Khopfa Mekong Cruise which was an excellent experience. Comfy chairs, good snacks, great photo opps. Tix from Belle Rive hotel, on the river of course in the historic district. Run by a French guy, but everything is in English. But definitely get some kind of cruise on the Mekong.

Didn't realize how much good food would be available, including French, Italian, etc. and of course Laotian. Pretty large ex-pat community; English is widely spoken in the historic area and visitor sites with some French audible in a number of places. had some of the best pasta I've ever had, in LP!