We only spent 3 days in the Mekong area, so this is not an expert view, it's just impressions from our trip. We cycled past the homes of the riverbank residents, usually a single-storey structure one room wide, perhaps 2 deep. The front part generally has a tiled terrace that is opened up during the day, giving a full view of the front room. There are power lines dangling along the river, and almost all the permanent homes we saw had power, which kept a tv going for films and what seemed to be soap operas. Some homes had large dark furniture, which seemed to take up a lot of space in such a small footprint. Nothing is wasted - rice sacks might serve to catch water, or tv packaging to patch the roof. There were often children playing in the homes as it was school holidays. They often called out 'hello' to us, and exploded in giggles when we replied or waved back.
We saw very little destitution - a small number of people living under tarpaulins in one place, and it's hard to quantify what constitutes poverty here. People are working very hard, for little reward, but also relax in the hammocks, play cards or chat more than in the West perhaps. It's partly the heat, people are up very early, so by 11 it's time for a well-deserved break.
For us the noise seemed overwhelming - not just machinery, it's the tvs and radios that are at full volume much of the time. I think our neighbours would have something to say if we got ito those habits!
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