How to install Samsung (or other manufacturers) apps on Vanilla ROMs on Galaxy S3 I've tried installing CyanogenMod on my Samsung Galaxy S3 device.

I was amazed by its smoothness and speed, but I've missed some of the apps of the official Samsung ROM, such as the camera, the keyboard, and the contacts list.

I've tried installing them using the recovery mod (like installing a zipped ROM), but it didn't work. 

Is it possible to install Samsung apps on vanilla roms (like CyanogenMod) on my device? If so, how?

I also wonder if a similar thing can be done on other devices (like installing HTC apps on and HTC device which has a vanilla ROM installed in it).
Unfortunately, it's not possible. Those apps rely on parts of the TouchWiz framework to operate. No TouchWiz, no apps. The only way would be to install a custom TouchWiz based rom. It would give you some of the performance improvements of CyanogenMod but with access to the Samsung apps.