This book tells the story of the Mekong River, from its source in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau to its delta in southern Vietnam, and the geographical changes in its environment on its journey to the sea. It mainly focuses on the many ethnic minorities living within the Mekong's reach. These minority nationalities all have their own distinct customs, traditions and ways of life that have carried on for many centuries. Much of that has survived the influences of politics, national integration and modernization. Nevertheless, their traditions and lifestyles are being profoundly affected by recent...