Name of the country: The Socialist Republic Of Vietnam

Capital city: Hanoi

Government: Communist system

Population: About 84 million

Area: Stretch over 1600 km from North to South, Land Area: Over 329.000 sq km; Coast Line: Over 3.200 km

Climate: Vietnam is a tropical country. The rainy season lasts from May to October

The dry season lasts from November to April

Geography: It borders China in the North, Laos and Cambodia in the West, and the Pacific Ocean in the East and South.

Security: Safe and stable

Religion: Main religions are Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism, and Christianity

Ethnic group: 54 ethnic groups: 84% ethnic Vietnamese, 2% ethnic Chinese, 14% the others (of 5 ethno linguistic groups)

Language: Vietnamese is the main language

Most popular foreign languages: English, French, Chinese

Characteristics: Vietnamese people are friendly and hospitable

Culture: Locally rich cultures in terms of food, architecture, arts, music, handicrafts, etc

Holiday: National Day: 2 nd September

The Lunar New Year’s Day: different in every year, normally around the end of January and beginning of February. May Day: 1 st May ; Liberation Day: 30 th April

Economy: Based on agriculture, fishery, garments, sea oil exploitation industry

Agriculture: Rubber, rice, fruits, ground nuts . . .

Industry: Garments, crude oil, food processing, aqua products . . .

Main import: Petrol, electronics, machinery and equipment, steel products, motorcycles . . .

Main export: Rice, rubber, foodstuff, garments, crude oil, tea . . .

Electricity : Mostly 220 V at 50Hz, you’ll still find 110V (also at 50Hz)

Shopping: Clothes, silk clothes, wooden handicrafts, pottery, or lacquer ware.

Telecommunication: There are many telephone suppliers you can use in Vietnam: Vinaphone, Mobil phone, Viettel, phone cards, internet phone cards. For cheap international phone calls, use service numbers: 171, 178

Internet Access: You can get access to the internet almost everywhere even in a small village

Radio and TV : Radio: FM, AM, VOA, BBC TV: CNN, BBC, TV5, ANBC, HBO, MTV

Tourist highlights:

In the North: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, National Parks, Tam Coc Caves, Sapa, Dien Bien.

In the Center: Hue Royal Citadel, Hoi An ancient town, My Son Sanctuary, Phong Nha Caves, Marble Mountains, Nha Trang beaches.

In the South: HCMC, Mekong Delta, Cu Chi Tunnels, Cao Dai Holy See.

Money Currency: Dong (VND)

Bank notes: 200, 500, 1.000, 2.000, 5.000, 10.000, 20.000, 50.000, 100.000, 500. 000 (d)

Bank coins: 200, 500, 1.000, 2.000, 5.000 (d)

Tips: 5 - 10% insome restaurants or hotels, generally speaking tipping is not compulsory but highly appreciated.

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