The old French capital of this part of the world is nothing like the fabled city of Luang Prubang further north. Here is a little capital city that lies on the north bank of the Mekong River and happily ticks over. It seems quite happy being itself. No grand gestures to try and impress. But it is slowly changing. You can see glimpses of the past here and there. Most noticeable are the old style communist buildings hiding beneath layers of newly acquired advertis...