The use of the Mekong River is changing rapidly. Aquaculture and fish farming are now among the high growth industries, offering employment and better standards of living, but at the expense of traditional fishermen who have plied these waters for centuries.

In the exotic dining stakes, Vietnamese cuisine has built a reputation based on its culinary history, the fusion of tropical herbs and European, particular French, influences – like banh mi (baguette) and pho (pot au feu). Now though the Southeast Asian state is succeeding with even less-traditional fare. Locally produced caviar is hitting the shelves and it's becoming an unlikely success for the communists in Hanoi.

With hindsight, policy makers might not choose to launch what is called by some an Asian EU at this point in time.