Why ‘Indochina’ Is a Dirty Word

Abstract

In this paper I argue that the term ‘Indochinina ‘is a term that is used without due care for the implications of its use. To begin with, the term itself is ambiguous, having at least three distinct meanings, only one of which is ‘Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia’. This latter meaning, in turn, is shown to be inappropriate for a host of reasons. Historical sources are then reviewed to assess the possibility of Vietnamese notions of hegemony in the area.