Property frontiers

Vietnam:
Country Guide

Vietnam - general country guide

Sample

Map

^{Source: CIA World Factbook}

Summary Data

summary data
Total Area (km²⁾	329,560
Land (km²)	325,360
Water (km²)	4,200
Population	86,116,559
Population Density (/km²)	265
Capital	Hanoi
Religion	Buddhist 9.3%, Catholic 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%, Protestant 0.5%, Muslim 0.1%, None 80.8%
Time	GMT+7
Climate	Vietnam experiences a Tropical climate in the south of the country and is monsoonal in the north with a hot, rainy season (May to September) and a warm, dry season (October to March)

^{Source: CIA World Factbook}

Geography

Vietnam is an S-shaped country, located in the southeastern corner of the Indochinese peninsula. An area slightly larger than the UK and Ireland, it ranges 1,600km from north to south, is about 40 km wide at its narrowest point and has a coastline of 3260km excluding islands. It borders China, Laos and Cambodia as well as the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin and the South China Sea. Vietnam's terrain is densely forested with mountains accounting for 40% of the country. The northern part of the country is primarily highlands with the densely populated fertile plains of the Red River Delta. The south comprises of coastal lowlands, forests, and peaks. The Mekong River Delta is also located in the South; a low-level plain that rises no more than three metres above sea level, and is traversed by rivers and canals. Vietnam has a monsoon climate, but varies considerably from north to south.

Government

Vietnam is a one-party state in which the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) decides all major policy issues, which are then implemented by the government. The country is led by a triumvirate of CPV General Secretary, State President and Prime Minister. In April 2006 the CPV convened its Tenth Party Congress, which confirmed Vietnam's future direction and leadership under the party's general secretary, Nong Duc Manh. The State President, Nguyen Minh Triet, is the titular head of state and nominal commander of the military. The Prime Minister, Nguyen Tan Dung, is the head of government and presides over the council of ministers.

The only organisations legally permitted to contest elections are those endorsed by the Communist party, including the Vietnamese Fatherland Front, workers and trade unionist parties. Although the National Assembly is growing in power, it is still firmly subordinate to the CPV.The CPV still enjoys popular support following its historic success in Vietnam and - most importantly - creating and maintaining peace and stability. As Vietnam has opened to the world, ordinary people enjoy much more personal freedom on a day-to-day level. However, an ever-present security apparatus maintains a close watch on society and potential dissent. The CPV is concerned about the high level of corruption in Vietnam and a major campaign was launched in 2006 to make the government more transparent.

Vietnam joined the WTO in January 2007 and intends to bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2008.

Language

Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favoured as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)

Electricity

220/110 volts AC, 50Hz. A range of plugs are in use from two-pin flat plugs, two pin round plugs and 3 pin flat plugs.

Passports/Visa

A passport valid for at least one month after expiration of visa is required by all foreign nationals.

Visas

Visas are required for all nationals from UK, US, Australia, Canada and the EU, except (a) nationals of Finland, Sweden and Denmark for stays of up to 15 days (b) transit passengers holding valid tickets continuing their journey within 24 hours. (Other nationals consult your Embassies for visa requirements.)

Tourist visas are valid for one month from proposed date of entry, but can usually be extended by 1 month in the larger towns, at a supplementary cost.

Passport/Visa Information

Vietnamese Embassy in London

12 Victoria Road,

London

W8 5RD

UK.

Tel: (020) 7937 1912.

Fax: (020) 7937 6108

Website: www.vietnamembassy.org.uk

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 09.00-17.00; 09.30-12.30 (visa section)

Airports and Airlines

The national airline is Vietnam Airlines (VN) website: www.vietnamairlines.com

Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)

Locations: is 45 km (28 miles) north of Hanoi
Time: GMT+7
Contacts: Hanoi Airport, Vietnam, NASCO, Soc Son District, Hanoi, 10.000, Vietnam
Tel: +84 (0)4 827 1513 or +84 (0)4 826 8522
Fax: +84 (0)4 825 9222
Terminals: 1
Transfer to the city: There are buses and airport minibuses that run to Hanoi from 5 am to 10pm. Journey time is app. 45 to 60 minutes. There are metered taxis available outside the terminal that takes app. 30 minutes to the centre.
Facilities: Bureau de change.

Standard of Living

The standard of living in Vietnam is modest and in 2004, 19.5% of the population still lived below the poverty line. Living standards of course vary, and tend to be better in the major commercial centres such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where the minimum wage is set higher than the rest of the country. Although many see Vietnam as the next Thailand, the country remains about 20 years behind Thailand in terms of its development.

However, the situation is improving. From 1980 to 2006, real GDP per capita rose by more than 250%, and in 2007 it was around US$ 722.97. Vietnamese disposable income per capita is likely to increase at a CAGR value of 5.88% between 2007 and 2011. Deep poverty, those living under $1 per day, has been significantly reduced and now constitutes a smaller percentage of the population than in China, India, and the Philippines.

The Vietnamese people are enjoying greater prosperity and liberty than in earlier decades, with advances in economic and social rights. However, Vietnam still has a poor record with regards to civil and political rights, including restriction on freedom of expression.

Principal commercial centres and towns

Vietnam has 708 cities and towns at present. Hanoi is the country's capital and major commercial centre. However, Ho Chi Minh City is the largest and most populated city as well as the most important economic and financial hub of Vietnam.