Indochina was the name for the eastern projection of the upper mainland Southeast Asian peninsula region under French domination - hence, "French Indochina". The name probably derives from the fact that the historic and modern cultures of the region are a mix of Chinese and Indian: a little known fact is that there were all-out Hindu kingdoms as close to modern China as central Vietnam, northern Burma, southern Laos and Cambodia. Indian influence is also heavily felt in Burma, Thailand, and upper Laos, for instance in writing systems (abugidas), language, mythology, law, religion and royal/court rituals.