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INDO EDITIONS
SHARING LOST MEMORIES OF THE FRENCH INDOCHINA WAR
Indo Éditions is a French publishing house specializing in historical works relating to the Indochina War, an armed conflict that took place from 1946 to 1954 in French Indochina (present-day Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam). Indo Éditions was launched by Ariane and Cyril Bondroit to collect previously unpublished memories of the Indochina War, in which over one million French and Vietnamese troops and civilians perished. It is a deeply personal business for the Bondroits; Mr. Bondroit’s father was one of the only survivors of the 3rd Parachute Commando Battalion (BCCP), which was annihilated in October 1950 on the Route Coloniale 4 (RC4). Many of Indo Éditions’ books on the paratroopers, French Foreign Legion, French Marine commandos, or famous commanders are significant works due to the quality of documents and archives of stories that they have brought to light. Indo Éditions is headquartered at the Bondroit’s Paris bookshop, “L’Indo-Chineur,” which showcases collections of rare works including photo albums, romances, poster reproductions, and period maps. Some of these works are quite controversial, revealing uncomfortable truths about the colonial period and a war that is far back in time but close to the heart
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MEET THE PRINCE TIAO SOMSANITH
A LIFE EMBROIDERED IN GOLD
A descendant of the last viceroy of Laos, Prince Tiao Nithakhong Somsanith has devoted his life to keeping alive the ancient art of gold embroidery. He learned the craft - traditionally practiced by Laotian aristocrats - from his mother and grandmother as a child in the former royal capital of Luang Prabang. Tiao Nith now teaches at Souphanouvong National University and works actively in Luang Prabang to promote the traditional Laotian arts of dance, music, puppetry, and floral art as well as lacquerware and precious metal embroidery. He has also served as a UNESCO cultural advisor for the city of Luang Prabang.
Meet this internationally acclaimed guardian of ancestral Laotian culture at his workshop and marvel at his embroidered masterpieces, which express a contemporary personal aesthetic nourished by ancient techniques. Once prized creations that were used as royal regalia, bridal finery, and dowries, today his art is in high demand among numerous museums, institutions, and private collectors. Enjoy a fascinating discussion with one of the few remaining custodians of Laotian art and visit the private collection of a family from the Old Court of Luang Prabang
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FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY OF
THE BATTLE OF KHE SAN
January 2018 marks the 5oth anniversary of the battle of Khe San, a major Vietnam War engagement in northwestern Quang Tri province that began in January 1968 and lasted 11 weeks. The American command in Saigon initially believed that combat operations around Khe San were just part of a series of minor North Vietnamese offensives in the border region, but eventually expanded the Marine presence in the town. On January 21, 1968 the North Vietnamese attacked the U.S. Khe San Combat Base (KSCB), beginning a battle that lasted 77 days. The American base and surrounding hilltop outposts were under constant attack by the North Vietnamese, and in response the U.S. Air Force launched Operation Niagara, a massive aerial bombardment campaign. In the end neither side won a resounding victory, and the base was abandoned. One theory is that the actions around Khe San were a ruse meant to divert American attention to the border. The battle of Khe San was one of the war’s bloodiest. Two hundred and five American troops were killed in action, 1,668 wounded and 25 missing and presumed dead at Khe San. Some 1,602 North Vietnamese were confirmed dead, although U.S. intelligence estimated the North Vietnamese casualties to be much higher, at around 10,000 to 15,000
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Secret Indochina was established in 2011, following the encounter of two professionals, Tran Quang Hieu and Nicolas Vidal, passionate about authentic travel. Secret Indochina, DMC branch of Amica JSC, strives to lead travellers to outstanding sites, magical places, and little-known ethnic communities
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