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A familiar city for those visiting Laos - either to tour, or like so many 'ex-pat residents' to renew their visitor's visa.
An Australian sponsored bridge, the "Friendship Bridge" crosses the Mekhong between Thailand and Laos, with cheap, frequent bus services.
SRT Trains and VIP buses run here from Bangkok, Khon Kaen and Udon Thani so it is not a difficult or expensive city to visit, but well worth the trip.
There is an Indo-China Market with some wonderful bargains for those who enjoy searching and negotiating prices. Walk from the market with the Mekhong River on your right and you will find some excellent small restaurants overlooking the river and Laos. Food is both Isaans and Lao. Incidentally for those on a budget there are some clean and comfortable, but very cheap, guest houses on the same road.
Talking of Visas, the Immigration officials (all ranks) at the Friendship Bridge are some of the most friendly I have met anywhere in the world. My illegal overstay resulted in a fine but no reprimand, just a lot of laughter and much more than my fair share of the beautiful chilled green mango that they were eating.