Since Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam opened up to tourism in the 1990s, the Mekong River is no longer an insurmountable barrier. On the contrary, new bridges, roads, and border crossings make traveling through the region easier than ever before. Those who embark on this adventure will discover one of Asia's most diverse regions: lush green rice paddies, rugged karst mountains, cool high plateaus, dense jungles, and fertile river deltas. The cities, temples, and palaces of the great Southeast Asian civilizations are now UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, Luang Prabang, Hue, Angkor), and a number of fine sandy beaches along the coast invite relaxation. This Stefan Loose Travel Guide is primarily aimed at budget travelers who want to explore the region independently. For budget-conscious independent travelers, the less-traveled destinations of Laos and Cambodia, as well as Vietnam and Northern Thailand, offer numerous combination options that can be easily implemented even with limited time and money. This guidebook is the perfect companion: it provides a wealth of information on accommodations, restaurants, tours, and transportation. A budget symbol highlights establishments offering particularly good value for money. 142 detailed maps, incorporating all the information from the text, make navigating the destinations a breeze.