| Searching for the exotic? Seeking the | | | | cuisines. |
| mysterious? Looking for wild unexplored islands | | | | This is a region of water, both rivers and seas |
| and beaches? Fascinating temple culture? Bizarre | | | | which have both contributed to the region's |
| scenery? Gastronomic delights? Exciting nightlife? | | | | diverse agriculture and acted as transport routes |
| Adventure trails? Lively markets? Wildlife? | | | | and national borders. Thailand and Vietnam have |
| History? Come to Indochina! | | | | long coastlines with beautiful beaches and isolated |
| All this and more can be found in what is still a | | | | islands. Even landlocked Laos shares part of the |
| largely unexplored part of the world. East of India | | | | great Mekong River, the main artery of the |
| and south of China lays a group of countries | | | | region, which begins its life in Tibet and works its |
| some of which are only now beginning to fully | | | | way through Yunnan, Burma, Thailand, Laos, |
| open their doors to outsiders and they have so | | | | Cambodia and Vietnam linking all of this region |
| much to offer in the way of travel opportunities. | | | | together. |
| This is the fabled Indochina, home to many | | | | Different cultures have influenced the region, |
| different peoples and ethnic groups who welcome | | | | leaving a fascinating hybrid culture in each. |
| you to travel to their homelands to enjoy the | | | | Thailand, despite being the only country in the |
| riches they have to offer. | | | | region never to be colonised, shows the influence |
| Thailand calls itself "The Land of Smiles" but, to be | | | | of India as does Cambodia which also shows a |
| fair, the epithet could apply to the whole of | | | | Chinese influence. Vietnam and Laos show more |
| Indochina. The peoples of this part of the world | | | | of a Chinese influence with much less Indian. |
| are, in general, very hospitable and there is no | | | | These influences can be seen in the religion, |
| greater pleasure than to sit with them and share | | | | cuisine and architecture. All of these countries |
| a meal, or laugh together while bargaining over a | | | | except Thailand were French colonies and their |
| purchase. | | | | influence also shows in the same ways. And, of |
| Whichever country you travel to in Indochina; | | | | course, the countries have influenced each other. |
| Vietnam, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia or SW China, | | | | More recently, partly through war, and later |
| you will be struck by the glorious colours - in the | | | | through trade the region has taken on influences |
| ethnic minority people's clothes and jewellery, in | | | | from all over the world, showing the people's |
| the stunning fruit and vegetables in the markets, | | | | natural ability to absorb and adapt. But at heart |
| the green of the jungles, the turquoise of the | | | | the indigenous culture remains: the Viet culture in |
| seas, the saffron colours of the Buddhist monks. | | | | Vietnam, the Khmer in Cambodia etc. |
| It is also an area of unforgettable tastes. | | | | The region has recently emerged from a deeply |
| Mainstream Thai and Vietnamese food have | | | | troubled past and is now generally peaceful and is |
| become well known in the west, but the tastes | | | | poised on the brink of taking a strong place in the |
| of Laos or Cambodia are much less well known | | | | future and it welcomes travellers from all corners |
| as are the foods of the ethnic minorities of all | | | | of the world to come and see its magical |
| these countries. Few people can resist the allure | | | | countryside, vibrant cities, and breathtaking |
| of limes, coriander, lemongrass, coconut and the | | | | beaches. |
| other spices and unusual flavours of the local | | | | |