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About Vietnam

Vietnam is located in Southeast Asia on the eastern edge of the Indochinese Peninsula, bordered by China to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west, and the South China Sea to the east and south. With a distinctive S-shaped geography stretching over 1,600 kilometers along the coast, Vietnam covers approximately 331,212 square kilometers. The country is home to over 101 million people, making it one of the most populous nations in Southeast Asia and a dynamic emerging economy in the region.

Vietnam has a rich history spanning thousands of years, marked by Chinese influence, French colonization, and a long struggle for independence culminating in reunification in 1975. The nation's culture reflects a unique blend of indigenous traditions, Confucian values, and Buddhist spirituality. Vietnamese is the official language, written in a Latin-based script introduced during the French colonial period. Buddhism is the predominant religion alongside traditional ancestor worship, with significant Catholic and Cao Dai communities. Vietnam is celebrated for its water puppetry, ao dai traditional dress, and UNESCO World Heritage sites including Ha Long Bay and Hoi An Ancient Town.

Vietnam's geography features dramatic diversity, from the terraced rice fields of Sapa in the mountainous north to the vast Mekong Delta in the south. The Red River Delta in the north and the Mekong Delta in the south are major agricultural centers, while the Annamite Range runs along the western border. The country enjoys a tropical monsoon climate with regional variations, experiencing both wet and dry seasons. Notable natural features include Ha Long Bay's limestone karsts, the caves of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, and pristine beaches along the central coast.

Vietnam has transformed into one of Asia's fastest-growing economies, driven by manufacturing, agriculture, textiles, and technology sectors. The country is a major exporter of rice, coffee, seafood, and electronics, while also attracting significant foreign investment in manufacturing. Hanoi, the capital in the north, serves as the political and cultural center, while Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) in the south is the economic powerhouse and largest city. Other important cities include Da Nang, Haiphong, and Can Tho, each contributing to Vietnam's remarkable economic development and modernization.

Major Cities

• Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam's largest city with 9 million people (13 million metro), the economic capital and former capital of South Vietnam
• Hanoi - The political capital with 8.1 million people, Vietnam's cultural heart with over 1,000 years of history
• Da Nang - Central Vietnam's largest city with 1.2 million people, a major port and gateway to UNESCO sites
• Haiphong - Northern Vietnam's major port city with 2 million people, an industrial and shipping hub near Ha Long Bay
• Can Tho - The largest city in the Mekong Delta with 1.2 million people, center of the region's agricultural economy

Interesting Facts

• Vietnam is the world's largest exporter of cashew nuts and second-largest exporter of coffee after Brazil
• Ha Long Bay contains about 1,600 limestone islands and islets, creating one of the world's most spectacular seascapes
• The country has a 95% literacy rate and places strong emphasis on education, producing highly skilled workers
• Vietnamese cuisine, including pho and banh mi, is recognized globally, with fresh herbs and balanced flavors being hallmarks
• The Cu Chi Tunnels near Ho Chi Minh City are an extensive network of underground tunnels used during the Vietnam War
• Vietnam's motorbike culture is legendary, with over 45 million motorcycles - nearly one for every two people