Vietnam Map

Vietnam is a Socialist Republic found on the southeastern portion of the Indochinese Peninsula. Laos lies on its west side, China on the North side, the South China Sea on the eastern side, and Cambodia in the southwest.

History:

Vietnam was a part of China from the 3rd century BC till the 10th century AD during which period it came under Chinese dominance. However, even during this period, the Vietnamese people were able to establish their own ethnic identity although this was heavily influenced by the Chinese civilization.

In the 19th century, Vietnam was colonized by the French who occupied this country up to 1954. Vietnamese people fought for their independence throughout this period which culminated into a series of wars with the foreign occupants. The largest of these was the Vietnam War which lasted from 1955 to 1975 and led to the reunification of Vietnam under communism.

Culture:

Vietnam has a unique culture that has been influenced by the history of natural resources and ethnic groups in the country. It is dominated by Vietnamese origin, but there are groups of Chinese origin, Khmer, and Cham origin. As for Vietnams crafts, there are lacquerware, ceramics, silk painting, and woodcarving, all of the traditional Vietnamese arts. Possibly the most important would be the Vietnamese food which is characterized by its spiciness, diverse preparations, and the fact that it has distinct regional specialization.

Following the above analysis, it can be stated that various festivals and holidays in Vietnam embrace the cultural diversity of the country. Tet Nguyen Dan or Lunar New Year is the biggest festival indicating family reunions celebrated through foods and social activities with traditional practices. Other festivals that are of cultural importance include the mid-autumn festival with a display of lanterns and the consumption of moon cakes and the Hung Kings temple festival in honor of the legendary Vietnamese kings.

Language:

The primary language of the nation is Vietnamese, to a large extent reflecting the majority of the population of the given nation. Like many Asian languages, Vietnamese is a tonal language; this is a way that the meaning of certain words can alter based on the type of tone used. This particularity by way of the language makes Vietnamese a special and difficult language to learn for foreign learners.

Besides Vietnamese, other languages are used by ethnic groups all over the country. These are Tay, Mun, Khmer, and Cham, a relic of colonialism that is still spoken by some elderly people and is used occasionally in learning institutions as well as some formal places of work. The second language has now raised the importance of the English language, especially among the young and those in urban areas.

Geography:

Vietnam is an elongated country with an extended length of more than 1,650km from the northernmost region to the southernmost region. The country has great physical features such as; mountainous regions, forest regions, regions with beautiful beaches, and river regions. The most extensive mountain system is the Annamite Mountains which borders Laos and comprises several national parks. The Mekong River Delta in the south is one of the richest agricultural regions of Southeast Asia and the Red River Delta in the north encompasses the country’s capital Hanoi. The center coastal region of Vietnam plays host to many stunning beaches with tourists henceforth marking it down locations rebellion with Danang – Hoi An and Nha Trang.

Vietnam’s climate can be divided into three seasons depending on the geographical location of the country from the north of Vietnam to the south of Vietnam. There are seasonal differences with extremely cold temperatures in the winter and hot temperatures during summer in the northern regions and there is a tropical climate and a wet season and dry season in the southern regions of the country. Typhoons and heavy rainfall are experienced frequently in the central region, especially in the monsoon season.

Economy:

Vietnam’s economy has been through a lot of change in the course of the last few decades. Where it used to follow a centrally planned economy model it has moved towards a more market-driven economy. Agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors are the areas known well, at least from the provided investment promotion newsletter. Its major exports include rice, coffee, and seafood. Manufacturing for instance Electronics and textile industries have also noted increased production. Another important industry that contributes a big percentage towards the Thai economy is tourism, as the country hosts millions of visitors, tourists who come to witness the ancient monuments and archaeological discoveries, the natural resources including wildlife and sceneries, and the glamorous cities that the country boasts of.

The process of integration with the global economy has been provided by a series of economic reforms called “Doi Moi” since 1986. The purpose of these changes was to form the socialist-oriented market economy which would facilitate private initiatives and foreign investments. Consequently, Vietnam has grown to be one of the most rapidly developing countries with an enhanced standard of living and decreased levels of poverty.

Government and Politics:

Vietnam is a socialist republic that follows the constitution of the socialist republic of Vietnam which is under the rule of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV). The President of the country is considered the chief of the country whereas the Prime Minister bears the maximum executive powers in the country. The National Assembly is the supreme law-making body as well as the governing institution of the country. Vietnam which is a one-party state has gradually liberalized its trade and investment and has thus recorded tremendous economic growth.

The CPV remains the key player in all spheres of governance with its decisions defining the further course of development of the country’s policies. The party’s leadership is decided through a congress that takes place once every five years with key decision in leadership and strategies. Free speech is not allowed where politics are concerned, however, the government has policies to address problems of corruption and increase transparency.

Education:

Vietnam is one of the few Asian countries that prioritize education as a crucial component of their development and has tremendously invested in the development of its education system. Education at the primary level is mandatory and free while the literacy level is relatively high. Vietnam has been focusing on the science and technology education system with its effort that has seen its economy grow. However, obstacles exist, especially in terms of poor education where the situation may still be a problem, particularly in rural learning institutions.

Vietnamese higher education has also undergone considerable advancements and now, the education country boasts of several universities and colleges, which offer a variety of programs. The government has deemed it important to make improvements in the areas of education to improve the delivery of education and achievement of calibrated educational goals, and policies as well as research and development of the education system to meet international standards. Scholarships and exchange programs have been introduced to enable students to take studies in other countries and come back with important discoveries.

Healthcare:

The general standards of healthcare have risen in Vietnam in the past few years with the development of infrastructures and services. Hospitals in urban areas are more equipped and personnel density is higher as compared to rural areas, thus offering specialized services that are difficult to afford by people living in rural areas.

The government has introduced different health programs to respond to inhabitants’ health issues including infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and NCDs. Enthusiasts of the principle have also tried to reach for insurance and make necessary reforms in the access to medicines. At the same time, Vietnam is still exposed to several obstacles in providing quality healthcare for every person in the nation.

Transportation:

Vietnam possesses a relatively resilient and developing transportation system that consists of modern and traditional means of transportation. The urban public transportation system mainly has the bus system; however, countries like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are planning for the metro system. This also means that more highways and expressways are being developed to provide better linkages between regions in the country. Transportation is modernized with more and more people using airplanes for their transport with several international and domestic airports. There is high usage of the basic means of transport namely bicycles and motorbikes especially in the rural areas.

FAQs

Q1: What is the best time to visit Vietnam?

The climate of Vietnam is tropical and the best time to visit Vietnam is from December up to April because it is dry season. The climate is reasonably warm during this period and the ideal time to go out and discover the natural beauty of this country.

Q2: What is the currency used in Vietnam?

Vietnamese Dong (VND).

Q3: What are some must-visit places in Vietnam?

Vietnam’s must-see attractions are Hanoi, Hochiminh City, Halong Bay, Hoi An, and Hue and if someone is into mountainous regions then Sapa is the place to go. It is here that one can get a glance at the historical and cultural manifestation as well as the wildlife of the country.

Q4: What are some popular dishes in Vietnamese cuisine?

Some of the popular dishes one can have in Vietnam include pho (noodle soup), banh mi (sandwich), bun cha (grilled pork with vermicelli), spring rolls, and banh xeo (Vietnamese pancake).