Before gaining independence, the colonies in Indochina were controlled by France and China.
From 110 BC to 930 AD, China occupied Indochina, which was administered by Chinese governors, except for the domination of two ephemeral local dynasties.
The French took Saigon and its surroundings in 1859, Cambodia in 1863, Cochinchina in 1867, Annam and Tonkin in 1883 and finally Laos, establishing one of the French colonies.
French Indochina was formed in October 1887 with Annam, Tonkin, Cochinchina, and the Khmer Republic; Laos was added in 1893. The federation lasted until 1954. The capital of Indochina was Hanoi. Each territory nominally maintained certain autonomy, although the real power was in the hands of the French authorities.
