Vietnam

Vietnam Lying on the eastern part of the Indochinese peninsula, Vietnam is a strip of land shaped like the letter “S”. Vietnam is a thriving country that offers visitors a unique experience at anytime of the year. Vietnam offers exotic cruises on its diverse islands, gulfs, and bays. You can also explore its ancient grottoes, and exuberant beaches. Enjoy vietnamese food and get to know this wonderful people.

Area: 331.129 Km²
Population: 79.939.000 (2001 est.)
Density: 241 pop/Km²

System of government: Socialist Republic
Capital: Ha Noi (1.236.000 pop., 3.000.000 urban aggl.)
Major cities: Ho Chi Minh 3.520.000 pop., Hai Phong 1.500.000 pop
Ethnic majority: Vietnamese 87%, Chinese 2%, Thai 2%, Khmer 1,5%, others 7,5%
Border countries: China NORTH, Laos and Cambodia WEST

Principal mountains: Fan Si Pan 3143 m
Principal rivers: Song Hong 495 Km (vietnamese tract, total 1180 Km), Mekong 220 Km (vietnamese tract, total 4500 Km)
Principal lakes: Lake Yen Bai 220 Km²
Principal islands: Pu Quoc
Climate: Subtropical - equatorial

Language: Vietnamese (official), Chinese, French, English
Religion: Buddhist, Taoist, Christian
Currency: Dong (VND)

Fixed public holidays: 1/1, 30/4, 1/5, 2/9
Dialling code: 0084
GMT: +7

World Heritage List:

• Complex of Hué Monuments (1993)
• Ha Long Bay (1994, 2000)
• Hoi An Ancient Town (1999)
• My Son Sanctuary (1999)
• Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (2003)