Vietnam >> About Vietnam

National Flag
The national flag of Vietnam was designed in 1940, and was first used that year during an uprising against French Colonial rule. 


Geography
Vietnam is located in Southeast Asia on the Gulf of Tonkin, the South China Sea, and the Gulf of Thailand, and has a 3,200km long coastline. It borders China, Laos and Cambodia. It has a total of 329.560 sq. km (Land area: 325,360 sq. km, water area: 4200 sq. km).  

Climate  
Vietnam has three distinct climatic regions: North, Central and South. The north tends to have a cooler climate, with a milder climate in the Central region, and hot and humid in the South. These climates are tempered somewhat by Vietnam’s long, three thousand kilometer plus coastline. 
 
                             Temperature and rainfall statistics for northern Vietnam

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Temp (avg) (°C)	22	22	25	27	29	30	30	29	27	25	23	22
Average rainfall	99	32	17	22	55	65	92	110	398	571	294	204

Temperature and rainfall statistics for central Vietnam

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Temp (avg) (°C)	22	22	25	27	29	30	30	29	27	25	23	22
Average rainfall	99	32	17	22	55	65	92	110	398	571	294	204

Temperature and rainfall statistics for southern Vietnam

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Temp (avg) (°C)	27	28	29	30	29	29	28	28	27	27	27	27
Average rainfall	14	4	12	46	220	321	304	269	331	267	115	52

People
The total population of Vietnam is 85,262,356. According to a 1999 census, ethnic groups are as follows: Kinh (Viet) 86.2%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.7%, Muong 1.5%, Khome 1.4%, Hoa 1.1%, Nun 1.1%, Hmong 1%, others 4.1%. Vietnamese is the official language, and French and English are second languages.

Government
The official name of Vietnam is the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. It is a communist state with a liberalized economy. The political capital is Hanoi, and the commercial and business center is Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City).
Full independence was gained in 1975, and the country was reunified with the defeat of the South Vietnam Regime. The national independence holiday is on December 2nd.

Economy
Vietnam’s main exports are agriculture products and apparel and shoes, but it is also now embarking on technology development. Real GDP growth slowed due to the global economic slow-down, and Vietnamese exports were adversely affected. Although foreign direct investment dropped dramatically in the recession, Vietnam's long-term prospects remain sound. The value of exports fell in 2009 as a result of shrinking demand for Vietnam's exports by overseas markets and lower commodity prices.
Inflation surged in 2008, but it is expected to be significantly lower in 2009–2013, and rising food and fuel prices will ease. The dong depreciated against the US dollar in 2009-2010, but is expected to appreciate in 2011-2013. Disposable income fell in 2009-2010, and higher disposable incomes in the next two years will contribute to growth in demand for consumer goods.
Vietnam has 14 major seaports and 100 smaller seaports. The large seaports are key to economic development, however, most of the small ports have obsolete facilities and poor supporting infrastructure. When compare with major seaports in Thailand and Malaysia, the three largest seaports of Vietnam (Saigon, Hai Phong, and Da Nang) are small in terms of maximum vessel size allowed, and storage capacity.
Vietnam's membership in the World Trade Organization (WTO) will help improve the economic environment in the country. Vietnam will seek to maintain its close ties with the U.S. and China, and trade and investment is expected to increase.

Communications
Vietnam is one of the most developed countries in Indochina, and has a well developed intra-country highway system, and railway system, as well highway links to China, Laos and Cambodia. 
All telecommunication, including television and radio, is state owned and controlled by the government. Internet access is also restricted in some cases. Electricity is 220V AC 50 Hz.