A Brief Description
The ancient origins of Vietnam's literature, language and culture, and the country itself, began in the north along the fringes of the Red River Delta.
Long controlled and influenced by the Chinese, it enjoyed nine centuries of independence, until, in the 19th century, the French colonial period began. In 1887, Vietnam became a part of French Indochina.
At the end of World War II Vietnam declared its independence, however, France continued its control until soundly defeated by Ho Chi Minh's Communist forces in 1954.
Shortly thereafter, based on the Geneva Accord, Vietnam was divided into two parts; the Communist North and the anti-Communist South. US economic and military aid to South Vietnam began to grow and serious conflict was on the horizon.
In March, 1965, the first American troops landed in South Vietnam, and the bloody conflict called the Vietnam War began.
After tens of thousands died on both sides, and billions in military expenditures, this sad, tragic war finally ended in 1973.
Two years later the remains of the South's army fell, and Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam, was renamed Ho Chi Minh City, and North and South joined together as one.
For the next few decades, Vietnam, demoralized by the affects of war, remained economically stagnant. Over the last five years Vietnam's government has made a series of changes (reforms) designed to make the country more competitive in the 21st Century, and by all accounts, it's working.
Learn more about Vietnam here.
A statue of Ho Chí Minh, a Vietnamese Communist revolutionary and statesman who was Prime Minister (1946–1955) and President (1946–1969) of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam). In Vietnam today, he is regarded with almost god-like status by the Communist government.
(worldatlas.com photo)
Facts and Figures
 Name Vietnam
(long form) Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Population 83,535,600
Population & Density (all countries) here
Capital City Hanoi (1.7 million)
Currency Dong (VND)
Currency Converter
here
Languages Vietnamese (official), English, French, Chinese, Khmer, others
Flag here
National Day September 2
Religions none (80%), Buddhist (9.3%), others
Geographic Coordinates
Latitude/Longitude (Capital City)
21º 01' N, 105º 52' E
Relative Location Vietnam is in both the eastern and northern hemispheres. It's positioned in Southeast Asia, a recognized geographical region of the Asian continent. The country is bordered by the Pacific Ocean, Gulf of Tonkin, Gulf of Thailand, South China Sea, and the countries of China, Laos and Cambodia.
Land Statistics
Coastline 2,140 miles (3,444 km)
Land Areas
(land) 125,622 sq miles (325,360 sq km)
(water) 1,621 sq miles (4,200 sq km)
(TOTAL) 127,243 sq miles (329,560 sq km)
Land Area (all countries) here
Landforms Vietnam is a country of tropical lowlands, rolling green hills, and densely forested mountains. Low-level land covers about 20% of the country.
The Red River delta is fronted by hills that rise gently into the high mountains of the northwest; the Annam Highlands cover much of the central landscape, and in the southern areas, the coastal lowlands and Mekong River Delta merge.
A fertile and narrow coastal lowland extends south from the Red River Delta to the Mekong Delta.
The Mekong Delta is a low-level plain, one inundated by hundreds of small rivers and canals. Thick jungles and mangrove swamps cover the far-southern areas of land.
The Red River (Song Hong), and the Mekong are the most significant rivers; both have numerous tributaries, and the latter is certainly among the great rivers of the world.
 Highest Point Fan Si Pan - 10,315 ft. (3,144 m)
 Lowest Point South China Sea - (0 ft.) (0 m)
Land Divisions 59 provinces and 5 municipalities; provinces include:
An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Dac Lak, Dac Nong, Dien Bien, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Hai Duong, Ha Nam, Ha Tay, Ha Tinh, Hau Giang, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc and Yen Bai; municipalities include: Can Tho, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh
Incense burning within the historic Nghia An Hoi Quan Pagoda, Chinatown, Saigon.
(worldatlas.com photo)
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Maps
Vietnam (large color) Map here
Vietnam Outline Map here
Vietnam CIA version here
Vietnam Maps at UT here
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Asia Continent (printable) here
Asia Outline Map here
Asia (Southeast) Outline Map here
Asia (Name the Country) Map Test here
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Indian Subcontinent Map here
Indochina Map here
Middle East Landforms here
Middle East Map here
Middle East Outline Map here
Middle East Rivers here
Ring of Fire Map here
Tsunami Map (December 2004) here
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World Outline Maps (printable) here
World Time Zone Map here
Recommended Links
Vietnam (Complete) info on the (GDP)
economy, imports and exports, natural resources, government, population, military, transportation, and more here
Vietnam Embassy (Washington DC)
here
Vietnam History here
Vietnam Photos (Saigon) Here!
Vietnam Tourism
here
Vietnam War (PBS series)
here
A typical street cart in the Saigon business district.
(worldatlas.com photo)
Time and Weather
Climate
In general terms, Vietnam's climate is tropical; subject to monsoon rains, warm temperatures and wind, and high humidity throughout the year.
The winter dry season extends (November - April), while summers (May - October) bring substantial rainfall across the entire country.
Central and south, temperatures reach the mid 80s in the summer months, and in April, temps in the high 90s are commonplace; winter lows below 50° F are rare.
In the northern third of the country, temperatures moderate, especially in the higher elevations.
Notre Dame Cathedral, central Saigon.
(worldatlas.com photo)
Traveler Info
Attractions
Vietnam is a visually stunning destination, one crammed with interesting things to see and do.
Major points-of-interest include the cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh (Saigon); Halong Bay, a UNESCO site featuring over 3,000 islands; PhongNha Cave, one of the largest and most beautiful caves on the planet; the mountain villages of Sapa and Dalat; hundreds of historical and cultural sites including the Hung Temple, Coloa citadel, the Temple of Literature in Hanoi, MySon Sanctuary, and the ancient city of HoiAn.
Add to the brief list above the picturesque emerald-green rice paddy fields; boat trips through floating canal markets; Mekong Delta tours and sunset views atop Sam Mountain; thousands of inspiring pagodas and temples throughout the country, colorful festivals galore, and dozens of beautiful, clean beaches, north to south.
Country Dialing Code 84
Electricity Vietnam uses 220 volts AC (50 Hz)
Electrical adapters, products and tips here
Travel Warnings
here
PASSPORTS - TRAVEL VISAS
NOTE: Before making your travel plans to any worldwide destination, we strongly recommend you authenticate important details regarding all passport and visa requirements. The experienced people at Travel Visa Pro can answer all of your questions!
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