I was so busy being a wise guy in my earlier reply that I didn't address your query about what to see.

In Luang Prabang there are something like the Big 5 things to see and do. All the travel agents, of which there are about a zillion, know them, and they're well covered in guidebooks such as Lonely Planet.

If you're somewhat adventurous and go to Kuang Xi falls, which I highly recommend no matter what, bring a swim suit and good sandals that can handle full flood water. Then go up the LEFT side of the falls. You'll come to a set of wooden stairs. Go up about 3/4 way and you'll see a somehat flat path, though it looks more like a stream than a path, heading off to the right. Walk along this stream, heading a bit uphill, and you'll come to a basin below the top of the falls where you can swim, fool around, sit on the ledge, fall off and kill yourself, and generally have a great time. Caution: this is not OSHA approved.

In LPB go to the central market, Talat Dala, and, after dodging the old ladies wanting to sell you opium "smoky," you can buy a Lao "sin," skirt (for females) and then find a tailor in one of the shops to do the appropriate fitting. (You need a woman tailor. The male tailors won't want to bother with you, in my experience.)

Oh yeah. All the tourists get up early and feed the monks. So there are a bunch of local women that want to "help" you. They will happily set up next to you and give you sticky rice, khao niaw, for you, in turn, to give the monks. They present the bill later. It's pretty humourous to watch the tourists when the penny drops.

It's very pleasant to sit in one of the cheapo restaurants on the Mekong in the afternoon or evening, drink Beerlao, eat Lao sausage and sticky rice with a Luang Prabang salad and watch life on the river. Cost, maybe $2-3.
Rich