yesss thats one thing that really saddened me was the road and parks along the banks where the food stall used to be...I now go to Savannakhet to renew my marriage visa once a year. They still have many french colonial style buildings there. I know a lot of foreigners hate going there for their visa but I love the quietness and simplicity.
by the way, I got robbed sorry 'fined' by immigrationor police for walking in the new park at 10pm as there are allegedly signs saying it closes at 8, be careful..cost me the $50usd i had in my wallet.