Download as PDF 26.5MB - Western & Oriental

IndochinaThe Inside StoryIndochina is the name collectively used to describe Vietnam,Laos and Cambodia and these captivating countries haveappealed to the experienced traveller looking for somethingnew on their Far East holiday for many years. It’s easy toforget the struggles these nations have been through – andto an extent still are - as you are welcomed with open armsby locals wanting to set the record straight and to show thetrue nature of their respective countries beyond politics.The region offers gems of colonial architecture, magnificenttemples, sleepy villages, unspoilt tropical coastline andstunning nature. From the grandeur of Angkor Wat inCambodia and the instantly recognisable karst formationsof Vietnam’s Halong Bay, to the peaceful serenity of languidLaos and the beauty of local life along the Mekong, thiscollection of Southeast Asian countries will leave visitorsthoroughly enlightened and with enough memories to lasta lifetime.Storyto tell -GillLeaningWhy I loveIndochinaMy Indochina highlightwas undoubtedlyexploring the vast templecomplexes of Angkor.It’s surprising how fewtourists brave the earlystart to watch thesun rise, but it’s wellworth forfeiting anhour or two’s sleepto witness theiconic silhouetteemerging fromthe darkness.206 BCKingdom of the Nam VietDynasty extends fromVietnam to Canton802-1431Khmer Civilisation rulesover much of Southeast Asia19th CMuch of Indochinais colonised by France1953Cambodia wins independence;Kingdom of Cambodia created,led by King Sihanouk55 ADChenla Kingdom (northCambodia) annexes theFunan (south Cambodia)12th CKing Suryavarmanbuilds Angkor Wat1945Ho Chi Minh announcesVietnam’s independence1954France grants Laosindependence but civilwar breaks out betweenroyalists and communists