Nakhon Phanom town’s central feature is a roughly 50-metre-tall clock tower built by long-term Vietnamese residents right before they returned home in 1960 — a gift to the townspeople who had been so hospitable. A one-minute walk from there, the riverfront promenade grabs you with spacious steps and walkways, pavilions and depictions of colourful nagas that look like they’re ready for a swim.