The population of Vietnam in 2003 was estimated by the United Nations at 81,377,000, which placed it as number 13 in population among the 193 nations of the world. In that year approximately 6% of the population was over 65 years of age, with another 31% of the population under 15 years of age. There were 99 males for every 100 females in the country in 2003. According to the UN, the annual population growth rate for 2000–2005 is 1.35%, with the projected population for the year 2015 at 94,742,000. The low growth rate is due to extensive family planning programs aimed to curb overpopulation. The population density in 2002 was 240 per sq km (622 per sq mi).

It was estimated by the Population Reference Bureau that 20% of the population lived in urban areas in 2001. The capital city, Hanoi, had a population of 1,074,000 in that year. Ho Chi Minh City is the largest urban area with a population of 3,678,000. According to the United Nations, the urban population growth rate for 2000–2005 was 2.2%

Economic growth:

Vietnam is considered one of the most successful countries in the world in sustaining rapid economic growth over the last decades (average GDP growth rate for 1994-2005 period was 7.57%). The Vietnam economy is the second highest economy in Asia Pacific Area after China, with growth rates of 7.7% in 2004, 8.4% in 2005 and 8.17% in 2006. In addition, GDP growth is predicted to be within 7.5% to 8% for the 2006-2010 periods (source: Saigon Times Weekly and General Statistics Office of Vietnam).

Administration Unit:

Vietnam divided into 64 provinces & cities

Languages:

Vietnamese, Vietnam's official language, is a tonal language that can be compared to Cambodia's official language, Khmer. With each syllable, there are six different tones that can be used, which change the definition and it often makes it difficult for foreigners to pick up the language. There are other languages spoken as well such as Chinese, Khmer, Cham and other languages spoken by tribes inhabiting the mountainous regions. Although there are some similarities to Southeast Asian languages, such as Chinese, Vietnamese is thought to be a separate language group, although a member of the Austro-Asiatic language family.

In written form, Vietnamese uses the Roman alphabet and accent marks to show tones. This system of writing called quoc ngu, was created by Catholic missionaries in the 17th century to translate the scriptures. Eventually this system, particularly after World War I, replaced one using Chinese characters (chu nom), which had been the unofficial written form used for centuries.

Religion:

The major religious traditions in Vietnam are Buddhism (which fuses forms of Taoism and Confusianism), Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism), Islam, Caodaism and the Hoa Hao sect.

Topography:

Three quarters of Vietnam's territory consists of mountains and hills. Vietnam is divided into four distinct mountainous zones.

The Northeastern Zone (Viet Bac)

This zone stretches from the Red River Valley to the Gulf of Tonkin. The mountainous area of Viet Bac is scattered with famous sights: Dong Nhat Grotto, Dong Nhi Grotto, and Tam Thanh Grotto in Lang Son Province; Pac Bo Grotto and Ban Gioc Waterfall in Cao Bang; Ba Be Lake in Bac Kan; Yen Tu Mountain and Halong Bay in Quang Ninh; and Tay Con Linh, the highest mountain peak in the region reaching 2,341 meters above sea level.

The Northwestern Zone

This zone is comprised of mountains that run from the north of the Sino-Vietnamese border to the west of Thanh Hoa Province. This magnificent mountain range is nationally known for its resort town of Sapa in Lao Cai Province, which is perched 1500 meters above sea level. Several ethnic groups, such as the H'mong, Dao, Kinh, Tay, Giay, Hoa, and Xa Pho, still reside in this region.

The northwestern zone is also famous for the historical site of Dien Bien Phu and Fansipan Mountain, which measures 3,143 meters above sea level at the peak.

The North Truong Son Zone

This zone runs from the western part of Thanh Hoa Province to the Quang Nam-Da Nang Mountains. This region is known locally for its picturesque Phong Nha Grotto and its two breathtaking passes, the Ngang Pass and the Hai Van Pass. It is also known worldwide for being the location of the legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail constructed during the second great resistance war.

The South Truong Son Zone

This zone is located to the west of the south central coast provinces. Behind these huge mountains is a vast area of red soil known locally as "Tay Nguyen" (the Central Highlands). There are numerous legendary accounts of the flora and fauna and of the lives of several different ethnic minorities living in the Central Highlands. Dalat, established during the 19th century, is a popular resort town in this part of Vietnam.
 

Vietnam has two major deltas, including the Red River Delta in the north and the Mekong River Delta in the south.

 

The Red River Delta, or Northern Delta

This region stretches for15,000 sq. km. Over time, deposits of alluvium carried from the Red River and Thai Binh River have accumulated to form the delta. The ancient Viet people settled at the junction of the two rivers . At that time, the wet rice civilization was established

 

The Mekong River Delta, or Southern Delta

This region is approximately 40,000 sq. km. The land is very fertile and has favorable climate conditions for agriculture. As a result, it is the largest rice growing region in Vietnam.

Vietnam is crisscrossed by thousands of streams and rivers. There is a river discharging every 20 kilometers along Vietnam's coastline. The waterways are a very convenient means of transport with major rivers like the Red River in the north and the Mekong River in the south.

 

Sea

Vietnam's coastline is 3,260km long. If you have a chance to travel along the coast of Vietnam, you will be able to enjoy the beautiful beaches of Tra Co, Sam Son, Lang Co, Non Nuoc, Nha Trang, Vung Tau, and Ha Tien. In some places, you will see mountains jutting out to the sea. One such magnificent site is Halong Bay, which has recently been listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Vietnam's coast has been awarded a series of large seaports, such as the ones at Haiphong, Danang, Qui Nhon, Cam Ranh, Vung Tau, and Saigon. There are thousands of islands and islets scattered offshore from north to south. Among the most popular tourist destinations are the Truong Sa and Hoang Sa Archipelagos.

 

Forest

The forests of Vietnam account for most of the total land area. National parks are preserved by the state and follow a steady development plan. Some of the more famous national parks located throughout the country include Ba Vi in Ha Tay, Cat Ba in Haiphong, Cuc Phuong in Ninh Binh, Bach Ma in Hue, and Cat Tien in Dong Nai.

 

Currency:

 

Vietnam’s currency issued by the Vietnam State Bank is the Dong (VND). Vietnamese use both coins and paper notes. But as Vietnam is currently changing its money system, there exists parallel two different money systems (old and new) which can cause confusion.

Coins include VND 5,000; 2,000; 1,000; 500 and 200. These values have paper note equivalences.

The following values: VND 500,000; 200,000; 100,000; 50,000; 20,000; 10,000. exist both in the new polymer form and the old normal paper notes.

Cheques with value as Vietnamese dong include: VND 1,000,000 and 500,000.

Civil Electrical Power:

 

AC 220 V, 50 Hz (bathrooms of many luxury and medium-grade hotels may have 110-volt sockets).

 

Telephone Codes:

 

Vietnam country code: 84

Vietnam city code:

Ha Noi	4
An Giang	76
Bac Can	281
Bac Giang	240
Bac Ninh	241
Ben Tre	75
Binh Oinh	56
Binh Thuan	62
Can Tho	71
Cao Bang	26
Da Nang	51
Dac Lac	50
Dong Nai	61
Dong Thap	67
Gia Lai	59
Ha Giang	19
Ha Nam	351
Ha Tay	34
Ha Tinb	39
Hai Hung	32
Hai Phong	31
Ho Chi Minh	8
Hoa Binh	18
Khanh Hoa	58
Kien Giang	77
Kon Tum	60
Lai Chau	23
Lam Dong	63
Lang Son	25
Lao Cai	20
Long An	72
Minh Hai	78
Nam Ha	35
Nam Dinh	350
Nghe An	38
Ninh Binh	30
Ninh Thuan	68
Phu Yen	57
Quang Binh	52
Quang Nam	510
Quang Ngai	55
Quang Ninh	33
Quang Tri	53
Soc Trang	79
Son La	22
Song Be	65
Binh Duong	650
Binh Phuoc	651
Tay Ninh	66
Thai Binh	36
Thai Nguyen	280
Thanh Hoa	37
Thua Thien Hue	54
Tien Giang	73
Tra Vinh	74
Tuyen Quang	70
Vinh Long	70
Vinh Phu	211
Vung Tau	64
Yen Bai	29