French colonial rule introduced European artistic sensibilities to Indo-China, significantly influencing its arts and literature. The French encouraged the adoption of Western literary forms, such as the novel and the essay, which were previously unfamiliar in Indo-Chinese literature. Artists and writers began to experiment with these new forms, often using them to express anti-colonial sentiments. Furthermore, in the fine arts, there was a gradual move towards Western styles and techniques, seen in the works of painters who adopted European methods and perspectives. This cultural exchange was complex, as it both enriched Indo-Chinese arts and posed a threat to traditional forms, creating a dual legacy of cultural erosion and evolution.

The French colonial administration in Indo-China adopted a policy of religious tolerance but also sought to leverage religion for political ends. While they allowed freedom of worship and did not suppress Buddhism, Confucianism, or local animist practices overtly, they did promote Roman Catholicism through missionary work. This promotion often came with economic incentives, leading to conversions that created a minority Catholic population loyal to the French. The juxtaposition of this minority against the majority traditional religions sometimes led to tension and conflict, which further complicated the social landscape and indirectly contributed to the rise of nationalism as a reaction against foreign cultural impositions.

The introduction of Western medicine had a significant impact on Indo-Chinese society. Prior to French colonisation, traditional medicine, based on a holistic and naturalistic approach, was prevalent. The French brought with them Western medical practices that were based on scientific principles and the germ theory of disease, which were alien to the local population. While these practices improved health standards and introduced vaccinations and modern hospitals, they also undermined traditional healers and practices. This not only led to a decline in traditional medicine but also fostered dependence on Western methods, inadvertently engendering a form of cultural imperialism.

Despite their overarching aim to assimilate the Indo-Chinese into French culture, the colonial administration did undertake efforts to document and sometimes preserve local cultures. French scholars, administrators, and missionaries showed a keen interest in the diverse cultures of the region, leading to the creation of museums, the compilation of dictionaries and encyclopaedias, and the documentation of folklore, music, and customs. These efforts, often driven by a sense of European superiority and a desire to categorise and control, had the unintended consequence of preserving aspects of Indo-Chinese cultures that might have otherwise been lost to the homogenising forces of colonialism.

French colonial policies systematically dismantled traditional leadership structures in Indo-China to establish control. By imposing a new administrative system, traditional rulers were often reduced to figureheads or removed entirely, disrupting centuries-old practices. In Vietnam, for example, the French sidelined the mandarin system and Nguyen dynasty, centralising authority in French officials. This erosion of traditional leadership disempowered local authorities and alienated the populace, creating a vacuum that contributed to social instability and ultimately fuelled nationalist sentiments as local leaders sought to reclaim their traditional power and protect their communities from foreign domination.