Vietnam

The nation extends 1,025 miles from north to south in a characteristic S-shape with 2,025 miles of coastline along the South China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin. Mountain ranges cover three-quarters of the territory, while river valleys and deltas provide fertile agricultural zones. The geography encompasses tropical forests, rice terraces, and extensive lowland areas.

The Democratic Republic declared independence from France in 1945, followed by decades of armed conflict spanning multiple phases. The Indochina War concluded in 1954 with partition into two separate states along the seventeenth parallel. Reunification occurred in 1976 following the fall of Saigon, establishing the current political system under a single government.

Vietnamese society blends Confucian traditions with modern influences, where ancestor worship and family structures shape social life. Buddhism, Taoism, and Catholicism coexist peacefully, while traditional festivals like Tet mark the lunar new year. Local markets serve as central gathering points for communities in both urban and rural areas.

The currency is the Vietnamese dong with banknotes from 1,000 to 500,000 dong in regular circulation. Visa regulations vary by nationality, with many visitors able to apply for electronic authorization before arrival. International airports operate in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, while trains and buses connect major cities throughout the territory.

The southern delta contains a waterway network spanning 17,400 miles that forms a critical agricultural and transportation system. Floating markets have operated for centuries as trading centers where vendors exchange goods directly from their boats. These waterways transport millions of tons of rice and other produce annually to domestic and international markets.

Inception: July 2, 1976

Capital city: Hanoi

Part of: Southeast Asia, Mainland Southeast Asia

Shares border with: People's Republic of China, Cambodia, Laos

Address: Vietnam

Website: https://chinhphu.vn

GPS coordinates: 15.92667,107.96509

Latest update: November 30, 2025 15:32