The name Cochin China is a name for an area which is situated at the southernmost tip of Vietnam. It is to the southeast of Cambodia. It has two parts – Cochin and China. The word Cochin was a corruption of the word 'KO- chen'. It was altered by the Portuguese. The word Cochin came from Annam. Annam had annexed Khmer Cochin region of Greater Mekong Delta. The Europeans knew Annam as Cochin. This word Cochin does not have a specific meaning.
There is also a place named Cochin in India. Initially, Indochina was proposed as a name for this region. Hence, to distinguish Cochin near Mekong region from the Cochin in India, the Cochin near Mekong was attached with China. Thus, the whole name Cochin China may not carry a literal meaning but locally it means southern region.
There is also a place named Cochin in India. Initially, Indochina was proposed as a name for this region. Hence, to distinguish Cochin near Mekong region from the Cochin in India, the Cochin near Mekong was attached with China. Thus, the whole name Cochin China may not carry a literal meaning but locally it means southern region.
