Hong Kong to Bangkok

The Mekong Delta empties into the South China Sea on the coast of Vietnam.

The Mekong River is almost two kilometres wide at Savannakhet.

c. 1920 - 'Gorges of the Mekong below Chando'. The upper Mekong has carved great canyons out of the Tibetan Plateau in China.

The Mekong defines life on the western border of Laos.

A small fishing boat is dwarfed on the mighty Mekong river.

The Pak Mun Dam is one of several new dams on the Mekong River. Laos is hoping to become the largest supplier of hydroelectricity in Southeast Asia.

The rich waters of the Mekong support a huge fishing industry - each year, more fish is caught in this river than in the entire North Sea.

c. 1920 - 'Gorges of the Mekong below Chando - Yunnan Road'. Flowing from the Tibetan Plateau to the South China Sea, the Mekong stretches nearly 5,000km.

Sunset over the Mekong River in northern Laos.

70 million people live in the Mekong Basin - the river supports a huge amount of agriculture in Laos, mostly the production of rice.

The Mekong River separates Laos (on the right of the image) and Thailand (on the left).

A Laos fisherman on the Mekong. Each year, two million tonnes of fish are caught in the Mekong.

1901 - 'The Mekong, looking upstream from Yun-Choui, Tali-fu Road'. The 12th longest river in the world, the Mekong crosses five countries from China to Vietnam.

The Mekong River flows almost 2,000km through Laos, and draws almost half of its water from the country.

1901 - 'Mekong-Salween Watershed'. The Mekong watershed spans more than 800,000km², and supports 70 million people. Agriculture in the Mekong watershed thrives in the rich alluvial soils.

Agriculture is the largest industry in Laos, and is supported by the Mekong River.

Irrawaddy dolphins are one of the rarest species in the Mekong. Their numbers have declined in recent years, claims suggest this is due to dams and overfishing.

The Savannakhet-side entrance to the Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge.

Many of the colonial buildings around Savannakhet have fallen into disrepair after the French left the city in the 1950s.

Classic Mekong sunset over the peaceful city of Savannakhet.

The majestic Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge connects Thailand and Laos across the Mekong River.

Savannakhet harbour on the Mekong was once the only point of entry into the city from Thailand, now replaced by the Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge.

One of Savannakhet's official buildings remains well maintained, revealing how the city might have looked during French rule.

A modern tuk-tuk in the streets of Savannakhet with French colonial buildings in the background.

Across Savannakhet the old French colonial buildings are beginning to crumble after nearly 60 years of the French leaving Laos.

French colonial architecture lines the streets of downtown Savannakhet.

The Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge allows an easy crossing over the Mekong into Savannakhet, contrasting with the boat bottom right.

Positioned directly on the border with Thailand, Savannakhet has long been a vital point of trade between the two countries.

After the first year of the Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge being opened, trade values between Thailand and Laos had increased four-fold.

Thai and Lao flags mark the border half way across the Second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge from Savannakhet.

Buddhism is very important in Lao culture; most Lao men will join a monastery at some point in their lives.

Monks pray at the Wat Xayaphoum temple in Savannakhet.

Buddhist temples are dotted across Savannakhet - Buddhism is one of the main influences on the relaxed lifestyle in Laos.

The beautiful Wat Xayaphoum reflected in a puddle outside the temple.

Inside the Wat Xayaphoum. This is one of the busiest temples in Savannakhet, and home to hundreds of monks.

Wat Xayaphoum is home to hundreds of monks, many of whom will only stay for a short period of time, though some will remain there for their whole lives.

Buddhism teaches patience and acceptance, which influences the laid-back pace of life across Laos.

The beautiful decoration on one of the many Buddhist temples in Savannakhet.

At the core of Laos culture is Buddhism. Almost all Lao men are educated in monasteries in the teachings of Buddha.

One of the many ornately decorated temples found in Savannakhet.

A scene unique to Savannakhet - Buddhist monks and motorcycles against Franco-colonial architecture.

A young monk peers between the intricately carved wooden doors of the Wat Xayaphoum temple in Savannakhet.

That Ing Hang, the oldest temple in Savannakhet, is considered highly sacred and monks from across Laos visit each year.