This is an exploration of the Overseas Chinese way of life in French Indochina , i.e. the areas controlled by French Colonial administration 1862-1954 in today's Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Administration of the Chinese immigrants was through the officially approved Congregations. Amongst the matters discussed are: French strategies of control; Congregational leadership; leadership and bankruptcy problems in the Cholon Congregation; mutual aid; cultural and educational roles; dispute resolution; crime, policing and immigration; and the gambling "cercles".