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It is quite
strange that more than a decade after Vietnam opened the doors to
the travel and tourists and investors, who want to travel to Viet Nam, the information of this country is still
so poor and unsystematic.
People
wonder what is behind an Asian nation that had been under a thousand
years of feudalism, and a century of two bigger Indochinese Wars.
And above all, it's still a communist state.
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What Vietnam
is really like?
The wars
have been relegated to museums, memorials and historical vestiges.
Four natural
and cultural draws have been designated as World Heritages by UNESCO
within 7 years.
And the
visitors, of which the French led the way since 1990s, have
pleasantly noted warm smiles and friendly faces every corner. The
time-limited tourists are happy that they can visit various kinds of
landscape, vestiges and lifestyles within a reasonable time. Those
who love ecotours are amazed discovering that they can get apart
from the urban excitement for as long as they can and mix them up
with hill tribes in remote regions. And who just returned after a
few years offer excellent comments on the remarkable development of
infrastructure.
You
assuredly need a good local friend to get you delve into these
wonders.
We love to
be him.
A SHORT PROFILE
Country:
GREEN
Cities: Hanoi
is the Capital. Ho Chi Minh City (normally called Saigon) is the
largest city and more exciting industrial centre. Hue, the Capital
of the last Kingdom up to 1945 is still maintaining traces of the
old reigns. Main seaports are Haiphong, Danang, Saigon.
Population:
78 millions. 54 ethnics. The Kinh (or Viet) ethnic forms
around 85%
of population and mostly inhabit in larger towns. A larger Chinese
community of less than 2 millions inhabit mainly in Hochiminh City.
Area:
332,000 km square, roughly the area of Italy or Japan
Shape:
Neither boot-shaped nor gathering hundreds of islands.
A huge "S"
lying half-facing the Pacific Ocean as per a proud local expression
Land Borders:
North to China, upper West to Laos, lower West to Cambodia, East and
South to Pacific Ocean.
Sea Borders:
Northeast to East Sea or so-called South China Sea, Southwest to
the Gulf of Thailand.
Climate:
Tropical
monsoon. 4 seasons in the North, dry and rainy seasons in the
South. Conditions vary North to South with elevation changes.
Geography:
75%
of the territory is limestone mountains, the rest are river deltas,
fertile highlands, and small deserts
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Language: Vietnamese.
Don't ask the local people do they understand Chinese naturally.
Vietnamese is a tonal language using Roman letters together with
tone markers - main problems of foreign students. English is the
most popular foreign language and French, Chinese, Japanese are
expected to speak at service points. Literacy rate is 88%
Religion:
Figures
are different. Estimated 60% – 70% of population believe in Buddhist
tenets with strong Confucian and Taoist influences. Catholic account
for perhaps 8% – 10% of the population. Cao Dai and Hoa Hao, local
sects of Buddhism, are strong in the Mekong delta.
Government:
Sole-party
Socialist Republic under the leadership of the Communist Party.
Important persons to name are the Party's General Secretary (Mr.
Nong Duc Manh), the country's president (Mr. Tran Duc Luong), the
Prime Minister (Mr. Phan Van Khai). The leading offices are
Politburo and National Assembly.
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National flag:
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Economy:
Market-based economy. Third world leading rice exporter and coffee
exporter (wow!!). Other exported goods are rubber, tea, crude oil,
coal, and electricity.
Festival:
New moon and full moon days are main anniversaries at temples. Main
Festival of the year is the Lunar Calendar New Year ("Tet") which
often falls in mid-Feb. For 5 days to a week most of businesses
closed except tourist points. Flower markets every where before the
Eve. Temples and shrines are exciting with traditional anniversaries
and pilgrims before and after Tet. Transportation is booked solid
during this time.
Vietnam festivals and events,
month by month
Other Public
Holidays are
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Dec 31 and
Jan 01: |
International New Year Days |
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Apr 30:
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Liberation
Day |
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May 1:
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Labour Day (May Day)
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Sep 2:
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National Day |
For further information of travel in Vietnam, please see
Vietnam in detail
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