Vietnam Country Profile PDF

GENERAL INFORMATION =================== - **Size:** 331.690 km² - **Capital**: Hanoi - #### Population: 101,157,874 - **Time zone**: UTC+7 (MST) #### Flag - Locally recognized as the **Gold-Starred Red Flag**  - The red background symbolizes revolution and bloodshed - The golde...

GENERAL INFORMATION =================== - **Size:** 331.690 km² - **Capital**: Hanoi - #### Population: 101,157,874 - **Time zone**: UTC+7 (MST) #### Flag - Locally recognized as the **Gold-Starred Red Flag**  - The red background symbolizes revolution and bloodshed - The golden star symbolizes the soul of the nation - The five points of the star represents the five main classes in Vietnamese society---intellectuals, farmers, workers, entrepreneurs, and soldiers  #### Emblem: - It is designed circular, having a red background and a yellow star in the middle - The cog and crops represent the [cooperation of agriculture and industrial labor](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workers%27_and_peasants%27_state).   - Motto: ***Socialist Republic of Vietnam*** - **National flower**: Lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) - #### Currency - The Vietnamese Đồng (symbol: đ; currency code: VND). - 1 VND ≈ 0.000040 USD - **Peak tourist season**: 2 peak seasons - Mid-December to March - July to September LOCATION ======== 1. Absotlute location: ------------------- - In South-East Asia - Latitude: 16° 0\' N - Longtitude: 106° 0\' E 2. Relative location: ------------------ - In both the northern and eastern hemispheres - Bordering with Cambodia, China, and Laos 3. Geographic location ------------------- - Landforms vary and stretch from the North to the South - Long coastal lines with islands - Advantages for transportation and tourism: Coastline Access, Diverse Transportation, Strategic Hub, Tourism Development - Disadvantages for transportation and tourism: Natural Disasters, Geographic Barriers, Environmental Problems PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS ======================== 1. Climate North Vietnam: - Spring (February -- April): + A short but delightful season \+ Starts to warm up. \+ Blooming flowers, especially apricots and peach - Summer (late April--late August): + Hot and humid \+ Heavy downpours + thunderstorm - Autumn (September--November): + A relatively short season - Winter (December -- February): + Freezing temperatures South and Central Vietnam : - Dry Season: + Relatively dry weather \+ A difficult time for farmers. \+ Tourism and outdoor activities - Rainy Season: + Sudden and heavy downpours \+ Affect the coastal regions \+ Storms and floods 2. Vegetation - Vietnam\'s vegetation is diverse and rich, reflecting the country\'s varied climate, topography, soils, and human habitation. - Well-developed mangrove forests along its extensive coastline - Other plants in Vietnam include coffee, cacao, pepper, white mulberry,... 3. Landforms #### Red River Delta - Flat, low-lying plain formed by the convergenceand - Distributaries with the Thái Bình River. - 15,000 square kilometres - The western coastal zone of the Gulf of Tonkin. #### Mekong Delta - Covers over 40,500 square kilometers of wetlands, rivers, and islands - #### The "Nine Dragon River Delta" - #### Biological treasure trove. - #### 1997 and 2007, over 1,000 animal species #### Coastline - 3,260 kilometers along its mainland - From Mong Cai to Ha Tien - Includes several islands and archipelagoes. - Contribute to the country's rich maritime heritage - Provide opportunities for exploration and tourism CUTURAL CHARACTERISTICS ======================= 1. Language - The official language: Vietnamese - It is mainly spoken by the Kinh people - Vietnamese has 6 different tones: thanh, sắc, huyền, hỏi, ngã, nặng - Vietnamese language use a modified Latin alphabet - that was introduced by French missionaries in the 17th century. - There are 3 major dialects: Northern, Central, Southern 2. Food - Vietnam's geography has shaped its food into three distinct regions: Northern, Central, Southern - In the North: + Food is subtle and light flavor \+ People prefer harmony in tastes, rather than using too many strong spices - In the Central: + Food tends to be spicy and rich \+ It has a long history as a imperial palace -\> the creation of more flavorful and fancy dishes. - In the South: + Food is much sweeter \+ The tropical climate allows for the use of coconut milk, sugar, and a wide range of fresh herbs, fruits, and vegetables - Food also plays a big role in Vietnamese festivals, especially during Tet - the Lunar New Year. 3. Clothing - Áo dài is a modernized Vietnamese national garment consisting of a long split tunic worn over silk trousers. It can serve as formalwear for both men and women. - Other well-known traditional clothing include: Áo Tứ thân, Áo Nhật Bình, Áo Bà Ba - Vietnamese ethnic groups also design their own colourful garments using for both daily and ceremonial purposes 4. Political system - - 5. Religion - The majority of Vietnamese do not follow any organized religion 6. Architecture - #### Ancient Architecture - #### Ancient architecture in Vietnam had stilt houses (Vietnamese: nhà sàn) built with materials like wood and bamboo. - #### Dynastic Architecture - Vietnamese architecture has imported influences from China; during this period, Vietnamese architecture was influenced by Buddhist architecture. - **Modern Architecture** - Modern architecture of the Vietnamese people has been influenced by the West clearly, and at the same time, there has been the absorption and fusion of East--West architecture with its own identity to shape the architecture as it is today 7. Festivals ##### Tết - Tết short for Tết Nguyên Đán ( \'Festival of the first day\'), is the most important celebration in Vietnamese culture ##### Tết Trung Thu - Traditional Vietnamese festival - Held from the night of the 14th to the end of the 15th of the 8th lunar month. ***Giỗ Tổ Hùng Vương*** - The Hùng Kings\' Temple Festival - It's held annually from the 1th -\> 10th day of the third lunar month - It is in honour of the Hùng Vương or Hùng Kings #### TOURISM CHARACTERISTICS - Tourism in Vietnam is a component of the modern Vietnamese economy, contributing 7.5% of the total GDP.is one of the biggest tourist attractions in the South East Asia. - #### DO - Always show humility, restraint, and honesty - Behave appropriately and well-dressed for sacred locations - Be respectful when meeting and greeting locals - Know the proper eating and drinking etiquette - Giving-Receiving a gift is a sign of respect - If a guest is invited to a special event/occasion, it's best that they enjoy to the fullest - #### DON'T - Public affectionate - Wear over-revealing clothing - Remove your shoes when entering a house VI. **TOURISM DESTINATIONS ( PICTURE & NAME)** ### Northern Vietnam - Sapa: Renowned for the Hoang Lien Son mountain range and the highest peak Fansipan. - Phong Nha -- Ke Bang National Park: This UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for stunning limestone karst and home to Son Doong, the largest cave in the world. - Ha Long Bay: A UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its emerald waters and limestone formations ### Central Vietnam - Nha Trang: A vibrant coastal city known for its stunning beaches and lively atmosphere. - Da Nang: Beautiful beaches and the Marble Mountains; gateway to cultural sites ### Southern Vietnam - Can Tho: Renowned for bustling floating markets - Chau Doc: Offers views of the Sam Mountain 8.