Area: 330,991 sq. kilometers
Population: 83.119.900 inhabitants
National capital: Hanoi
The land: Vietnam shares borders with Cambodia, Laos and China, and features 3200 km of coastline facing the South China sea with an area of 330.991 square km, Vietnam topography varies from coastal plains to mountain ranges.
Climate: Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate, with dry and wet seasons. Conditions vary from North to South and with elevation changes.
People: with a population of more than 83 million inhabitants, vietnam is the most densely populated country in Southeast Asia. There’s a vigorous campaign to limit children to one or two per family. A variety of Ethnic groups inhabit the Central highlands and Northern mountain regions. Population distribution is roughly 75% rural and 25% urban. The largest cities in the North are Hanoi(Greater Hanoi district 3 million, urban Hanoi about 3 million). And Hai Phong(Greater Hai Phong district 1,5 million, urban area about 500000); in the centre, Danang 500000, Nha Trang 250000, and Hue 250000, in the South, Saigon(HCM district 4 million, urban Saigon perhaps 2,5 million).
Language: Vietnam is a tonal m, language that use a Roman alphabet together with tone maker. Chinese, French, English, and Russian are also spoken. There are over 54 minority languages, the literacy rate is 88%.
Riligion: Officially there is none percentages on religious beliefs are impossible to come by since the Government suppresses religion and does not permit proselytizing. It is believed an estimated 60% of the population adhere to some form of Buddhism with strong Confucian and Taoist influences. Catholics account for perhaps eight percent of the population, in the Mekong Delta, the CaoDai and Hoa Hao faiths are strong.
Government: Vietnam is a Socialist Republic under the rule of the Communist Party, the only political party permitted. Its General Secretary is the country’s leader, and its politburo the most powerful government body. The National Assembly rubberstamps Party decisions.
National flag: A bright yellow star centered on a blood red background. The red is simbolic of lives lost in Vietnam’s movement toward unification; the star represent a brighter future. The flag is based on the 1954 North Vietnam flag.
Economy: After switching to a market based economy, Vietnam managed to overcome rampant inflation the legacy of year of warfare. Vietnam’s economy is mainly based on rice farming, primary agricultural export are rice, rubber, coffee, and tea. Major industries include chemical ferlilizer, ciment, textiles, steel, sawn logs, and paper, vietnam also exports electricity crude oil, and coal. Seaports are Saigon Danang and Haiphong pier capital annual income is $ 200. the unit of currency is the dong(1 USD = 16550 dong).
Festival: The most important festival is Tet, determined by the lunar calendar but usually falling in February. Before the onset of Tet, transportation is booked solid. Most businesses close for a five day period.
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