The Mekong. It 's an exotic name guaranteed to fire up the imagination. Riding high on the global hotlist, the region is home to such iconic sights as Angkor Wat, Halong Bay and Luang Prabang. Nick Ray, Lonely Planet Writer Our Promise You can trust our travel information because Lonely Planet authors visit the places we write about, each and every edition. We never accept freebies for positive coverage so you can rely on us to tell it like it is. Inside This Book... 11 expert authors4909 km of winding river180+ temples56 weeks of in-depth researchInspirational photosEasy-to-read layoutIn-depth background3D plans of inconic sightsComprehensive planning toolsAt-a-glance practical info

Experience one of the most distinctive destinations in Southeast Asia with Lonely Planet. Trek through rice fields into timeless thatched villages, visit magnificent unrestored temples or make like the locals and relax with a riverside Beerlao as the sun sets over the Mekong. Lonely Planet guides are written by experts who get to the heart of every destination they visit. This fully updated edition is packed with accurate, practical and honest advice, designed to give you the information you need to make the most of your trip. In This Guide: Best ecotourism initiatives in Laos guide you through untouched wildernessUnique culture itinerary helps you discover the real LaosCycling tours take you on wild two-wheeled adventures

Cambodia and Laos opened their doors to tourists in the late 80s and, while at first a destination frequented by backpackers and thrill seekers, its appeal has grown ever since. Blessed with stunning scenery and one of the best cultural sights in the world, Angkor, both countries now attract cultural sight-seekers and adventurous hikers, with their unbeatable combination of stunning temples and unspoiled countryside ideal for hiking, water sports, bird watching, and mountain biking. Part of the award-winning DK Eyewitness Travel series, this sumptuously illustrated guide leads readers to it all, from the majestic sight of the UNESCO-listed ancient city of Angkor in Cambodia to the tranquil temples and boutique hotels of Luang Prabang in Laos. Whether enjoying a delicious meal and cold beer overlooking the Mekong or kayaking on the Nam Song River surrounded by limestone karsts, the Eyewitness Guide: Cambodia and Laos is indispensable. Don't miss a thing on your vacation with the DK Eyewitness Travel guidebook to Cambodia and Laos.HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: -Packed with photographs, illustrations, and maps -Cutaways and floor plans of all the major sights -3-D aerial views of the city's most interesting districts -Huge selection of hotels, restaurants, stores, and entertainment venues

Originally published in 1951, it is said that A Dragon Apparent inspired Graham Greene to go to Vietnam and write The Quiet American. Norman Lewis traveled in Indo-China during the precarious last years of the French colonial regime. Much of the charm and grandeur of the ancient native civilizations survived until the devastation of the Vietnam War. Lewis could still meet a King of Cambodia and an Emperor of Vietnam; in the hills he could stay in the spectacular longhouses of the highlanders; on the plains he could be enchanted by a people whom he found ""gentle, tolerant and dedicated to the pleasures and satisfactions of a discriminating kind.

Whether you want to experience the hustle and bustle of Hanoi, feel the eeriness of the Plain of Jars, gaze at the awe-inspiring Angkor Wat or head down the Mekong on a slow boat, or a higher-octane tube you can do all this and more with Footprint's totally revised and updated 3rd edition Vietnam, Cambodia&Laos Handbook. With in-depth coverage of all three countries this guidebook is perfect if you are planning a trip to this stunning region. Including an extensive planning section and suggestions for getting off the beaten track, plus accommodation listings for every budget and full details of all the sights, activities and incredible food this guide will be invaluable to help you get the most from your trip.The guide opens with a beautiful colour section full of inspirational photographs and advice to help you plan your trip giving you a flavour of the best things to see and do. The guide then includes carefully selected itineraries giving you advice on how to get the best out of your stay whether you’re travelling for a week or a month. Vietnam, Cambodia&Laos offer unrivalled attractions in the form of ruins, colonial remnants, stunning scenery, ethnic diversity and exotic food and this guide captures it all offering you extensive, thoroughly researched information which will help you plan your trip as well as advise you on the ground. The Essentials section provides great advice on how to get there and how to get around as well as information on sleeping, eating, drinking and shopping giving you an idea of what you can expect to pay. The heart of the guide is divided by country with each section offering an overview map, local information on how to get around with transport and street maps where relevant, a short history, thorough advice on what to see and do and a directory of key local information on banks, embassies, internet cafes, medical and even laundry services. There is a full-colour mini atlas which has maps of each country to help you get your bearings.From the vivid rice paddies of Vietnam to Phnom Penh, the fascinating modern day capital of Cambodia, to laid-back Laos and its picture-postcard gilded temples, Footprint’s fully updated 3rd edition will help you get to the heart of this exquisite region and charming people.

Brett Dakin spent two years working in Laos and returned to the States a changed man. In Another Quiet American, he takes you through the corridors of power and the living rooms of the poor in Laos. You'll meet his boss, a wealthy general whose power and reputation scares his countrymen; a prince with connections to the French colonial past; an American pilot who left home for Indochina during the war and never returned; and, rich Lao twenty-somethings who have all the money they could want, but no happiness. Dakin provides a sympathetic yet irreverent glimpse into life in one of the world's few remaining communist nations, questioning the US's influence on the country and embarking on the soul-searching identity quest of an American abroad.

With over three million copies in print, CultureShock! is a bestselling series of culture and etiquette guides covering countless destinations around the world. For anyone at risk of culture shock, whether a tourist or a long-term resident, CultureShock! provides a sympathetic and fun-filled crash course on the do's and don'ts in foreign cultures. Fully updated and sporting a fresh new look, the revised editions of these books enlighten and inform through such topics as language, food and entertaining, social customs, festivals, relationships, and business tips. CultureShock! books are packed with useful details on transportation, taxes, finances, accommodation, health, food and drink, clothes, shopping, festivals, and much, much more.

The indispensable "Rough Guide to Laos" is the definitive guide to this fascinating Southeast Asian country, taking you from the remote mountainous north to the sleepy south. It's packed with detailed, lively reviews of accommodation and restaurants to suit all budgets, plus practical information on things like border crossings and road and river travel. With comprehensive research, accompanied by stunning photographs, "The Rough Guide to Laos" is your essential companion, whether you want to follow the well-trodden route along the Mekong, or blaze your own trail. The guide's authoritative background section provides essential information on Laos' often turbulent history and teaches you about the country's fascinating hill tribes and vibrant festivals. And with dozens of clear, accurate maps "The Rough Guide to Laos" gets you under the skin of this dynamic country. Make the most of your trip with "The Rough Guide to Laos".

Full-color guide • Make your trip to Thailand unforgettable with illustrated features, 65 maps, and 170 color photos.Customize your trip with simple planning tools • Top experiences&attractions • Best Bets for local dining • Easy-to-read color regional mapsExplore Thailand, and beyond • Discerning Fodor’s Choice picks for hotels, restaurants, sights, and more • “Word of Mouth” tips from fellow Fodor’s travelers • Illustrated features on the Grand Palace and Angkor Wat • Best  ideas for making the most of your time and exploring historical sightsOpinions from destination experts • Fodor’s Thailand-based writers reveal their favorite local haunts • Frequently updated to provide the latest information

The Globetrotter Travel Map of Vietnam, Laos&Cambodia caters specifically for the needs of tour­ists who are new to a destination. The town plans of the major centers pinpoint key buildings and places of interest as well as where to stay. Dis­tance and climate charts enable travelers to plan their visits in advance.