The three jewels of Indochina – Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia – share a common cultural heritage yet possess their own unique personalities and histories as well. The French ruled this area, collectively known as Indochine, from the late 1800’s through the mid-20th century. The French influence still remains in some areas, mingling with the cultural influences of China and India.

Laos is the least developed of the three former French Indochinese states and offers travelers an unparalleled glimpse of traditional Southeast Asian life. After two decades of isolation from the outside world, this landlocked, sparsely populated country is enjoying peace, stabilizing its political and economic structures, and admitting foreign visitors - albeit in limited numbers.

Most visitors to Vietnam are overwhelmed by the sublime beauty of the country's natural setting: the Red River Delta in the north, the Mekong Delta in the south and almost the entire coastal strip are a patchwork of brilliant green rice paddies tended by women in conical hats. There are some divine beaches along the coast, while inland there are soaring mountains, some of which are cloaked by dense, misty forests. Vietnam also offers an opportunity to see a country of traditional charm and rare beauty rapidly opening up to the outside world.

Cambodia has emerged from decades of war and isolation and is well and truly back on the Southeast Asian travel map. The successor-state of the mighty Khmer Empire, which ruled much of what is now Vietnam, Laos and Thailand, Cambodia boasts a rich culture, a weathered French-era capital and impressive natural scenery. The celebrated temples of Angkor are Cambodia's greatest tourist attraction.