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Discover Indochina - Vietnam, Cambodia And Laos
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There are two choices when it comes to international travel: timeless destinations and destinations whose time is now. Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia are rare destinations in that they offer the intrepid traveller both. These nations are now squarely on the radar of travellers in the know, with spectacular natural beauty, ancient attractions and cultures, hidden charms and new beginnings. This is a particularly fascinating part of the world for those who wish to learn and be inspired by the lessons taught to us through a tumultuous history.
Culture & history
Collectively, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are known as Indochina: this notion of a single entity originated with French colonisation. French Indochina was formed in October 1887 from Annam, Tonkin, Cochin China (who together form modern day Vietnam) and the Kingdom of Cambodia; Laos was added after the Franco-Siamese War of 1893. The federation lasted until 1954, after many battles. The ending of French involvement in the region saw the start of the serious US commitment to South Vietnam, eventually leading to the Vietnam War.
Although French colonisation created the Indochina entity, the history of the region began about 3000 years ago with the arrival of the peoples from the north. Historically, the countries of South-East Asia received cultural influence from China and India, but to varying degrees. Vietnam's main foreign influence comes from its strong association with southern China, however since the 1990s, Vietnam has seen a greater exposure to South-East Asian, European and American culture and media. Cambodia and Laos remain a little more untouched by western influences. Cambodia's Khmer culture, as developed and spread by the Khmer Empire, has distinctive styles of dance, architecture and sculpture, which have also strongly influenced neighbouring Laos. Most Cambodians and Laotians are Theravada Buddhists of Khmer extraction.
Visitors to Indochina today come in the midst of a season of change, as fresh ideas and the scent of globalisation fill the air.
Dining
The flavours of the cuisine in Indochina transcend thousands of years, twisted and morphed by centuries of influence. Be prepared for a taste sensation!
The diet in Vietnam is built around all that is good and fresh: main dishes are based on rice, soy sauce and fish sauce, soups are a favourite, and they pride themselves on using fresh produce and herbs and spices such as lemongrass, lime, laksa leaf, basil and chilli.
Lao food is distinct from the rest of Asia: the national dish is laap, a spicy mixture of meat and/or fish with a combination of greens, herbs and spices. Green papaya salad, or tam mak houng, is another characteristic dish and the French influence is evident, with Vientiane's French restaurants, and baguettes all round.
Cambodia's Khmer cuisine is a hidden treasure, and is noted for the use of prahok, a type of fermented fish paste. Coconut milk is the main ingredient of many Khmer curries (showing ties with Indian cuisine) and desserts. Fish sauce is used widely in soups and stir fries.
Map | View detailed map of Asia
Shopping
Calling all bargain hunters ... Indochina is the eternal shopper's paradise, with the streets awash with markets and shops selling all manner of items at fantastic prices.
Markets are a great place to enjoy the local flavour of a region and to buy souvenirs. Vietnam's specialities include lacquer painting, tailor-made ao dais (female national costume) and the conical hat. Laos is famous for its woven silk and cotton, while the best buys in Cambodia include gemstones and the krama - a checked scarf made of cotton or silk.
Natural wonders
Indochina is richly blessed with natural wonders. Highlights of Vietnam include Halong Bay in the north, with its almost 200 monolithic limestone islands rising spectacularly from the ocean; the many white-sand beaches of the central coastline; and the Mekong Delta in the south.
Cambodia is most famous for its ancient archaeological site of Angkor Wat, but also offers such delights as the French boulevards of Phnom Penh and the white sands and fresh seafood of Sihanoukville on the south coast.
Laos is a land of rivers and mountains. Its capital Vientiane sits on a bend of the Mekong River among fertile alluvial plains, and World Heritage Luang Prabang will impress you with its incomparable architecture and landscapes.
Get in the know
In Laos and feeling a tad hungry? No, those insects on sale at the local markets are not for feeding the fish at home. They are your opportunity to do as the locals do and snack away on fried chili-flavoured insects while browsing the markets stalls or travelling on local transport. Especially popular served with sticky rice, and a definite must-try for anyone wanting the true exotic Laos culinary experience!
Culture & history
Collectively, Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos are known as Indochina: this notion of a single entity originated with French colonisation. French Indochina was formed in October 1887 from Annam, Tonkin, Cochin China (who together form modern day Vietnam) and the Kingdom of Cambodia; Laos was added after the Franco-Siamese War of 1893. The federation lasted until 1954, after many battles. The ending of French involvement in the region saw the start of the serious US commitment to South Vietnam, eventually leading to the Vietnam War.
Although French colonisation created the Indochina entity, the history of the region began about 3000 years ago with the arrival of the peoples from the north. Historically, the countries of South-East Asia received cultural influence from China and India, but to varying degrees. Vietnam's main foreign influence comes from its strong association with southern China, however since the 1990s, Vietnam has seen a greater exposure to South-East Asian, European and American culture and media. Cambodia and Laos remain a little more untouched by western influences. Cambodia's Khmer culture, as developed and spread by the Khmer Empire, has distinctive styles of dance, architecture and sculpture, which have also strongly influenced neighbouring Laos. Most Cambodians and Laotians are Theravada Buddhists of Khmer extraction.
Visitors to Indochina today come in the midst of a season of change, as fresh ideas and the scent of globalisation fill the air.
Dining
The flavours of the cuisine in Indochina transcend thousands of years, twisted and morphed by centuries of influence. Be prepared for a taste sensation!
The diet in Vietnam is built around all that is good and fresh: main dishes are based on rice, soy sauce and fish sauce, soups are a favourite, and they pride themselves on using fresh produce and herbs and spices such as lemongrass, lime, laksa leaf, basil and chilli.
Lao food is distinct from the rest of Asia: the national dish is laap, a spicy mixture of meat and/or fish with a combination of greens, herbs and spices. Green papaya salad, or tam mak houng, is another characteristic dish and the French influence is evident, with Vientiane's French restaurants, and baguettes all round.
Cambodia's Khmer cuisine is a hidden treasure, and is noted for the use of prahok, a type of fermented fish paste. Coconut milk is the main ingredient of many Khmer curries (showing ties with Indian cuisine) and desserts. Fish sauce is used widely in soups and stir fries.
Map | View detailed map of Asia
Shopping
Calling all bargain hunters ... Indochina is the eternal shopper's paradise, with the streets awash with markets and shops selling all manner of items at fantastic prices.
Markets are a great place to enjoy the local flavour of a region and to buy souvenirs. Vietnam's specialities include lacquer painting, tailor-made ao dais (female national costume) and the conical hat. Laos is famous for its woven silk and cotton, while the best buys in Cambodia include gemstones and the krama - a checked scarf made of cotton or silk.
Natural wonders
Indochina is richly blessed with natural wonders. Highlights of Vietnam include Halong Bay in the north, with its almost 200 monolithic limestone islands rising spectacularly from the ocean; the many white-sand beaches of the central coastline; and the Mekong Delta in the south.
Cambodia is most famous for its ancient archaeological site of Angkor Wat, but also offers such delights as the French boulevards of Phnom Penh and the white sands and fresh seafood of Sihanoukville on the south coast.
Laos is a land of rivers and mountains. Its capital Vientiane sits on a bend of the Mekong River among fertile alluvial plains, and World Heritage Luang Prabang will impress you with its incomparable architecture and landscapes.
Get in the know
In Laos and feeling a tad hungry? No, those insects on sale at the local markets are not for feeding the fish at home. They are your opportunity to do as the locals do and snack away on fried chili-flavoured insects while browsing the markets stalls or travelling on local transport. Especially popular served with sticky rice, and a definite must-try for anyone wanting the true exotic Laos culinary experience!
