Vietnam is a country of contrasts. A rich colonial history dominates its cities, sitting side-by-side with scenes that characterise the spirit of Southeast Asia. The countryside is a stunning portrait of varied landscapes, from the waterways leading to the South China Sea to terraced green paddy fields with the hilly central highlands in between. Laos is a landlocked country, and its landscape is primarily dominated by mountains and rivers. Laotian people are warm and welcoming to foreigners who are able to visit after several decades of relative isolation from much of the western world.