VIETNAM USEFUL INFORMATION |
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Vietnam Political Map Vietnam Physical Map Vietnam Fact Book & Country Statistics (courtesy of www.maps.com) |
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Vietnam Fast Facts |
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| GEOGRAPHY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vietnam is a long and narrow country, lying completely in the tropical zone. Its landmass forms the shape the letter S on the east side of the Indochinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia. The country's two main cultivated acres are the Red River Delta in the north and the Mekong Delta in the south. Three-quarters of the country is mountainous and hilly; the highest peak is the 3143m (10,309ft) high Fansipan in north-west Vietnam. The country occupies a total of 330,363 square kilometers is mainland. Vietnamese eastern border consists of more than 3,000 km of coastline, while to the west with Cambodia and Laos. Population is 76.5 million. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| POPULATION | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vietnam has 76.5 million inhabitants, and ethnic Vietnamese
constitute almost 90% of the population. Originating in what is now
southern China and northern Vietnam, the Vietnamese people pushed
southward over several centuries to occupy the entire eastern seacoast of
the Indochinese Peninsula. This expansion began in 939 AD, after a
millennium of Chinese occupation. Although Vietnamese culture was strongly
influenced by traditional Chinese civilization, the struggle for political
independence from China developed a strong sense of national identity in
the Vietnamese people. Nearly 100 years of French rule (1858-1954)
introduced important European elements, but the Vietnamese still attach
great importance to the family and continue to observe rites honoring
their ancestors, indicating the persistence of tradition. Various ethnic groups make up the remaining 10% of the population, with the approximately 1.2 million Chinese, concentrated in southern Vietnam, being the most numerous. The second largest minority, the southern Montagnards (mountain people) comprises two main ethno-linguistic groups - Malayo-Polynesian and Mon-Khmer. About 30 groups of various cultures and dialects are spread over the highland territory. The third largest minority is the Khmer Krom (Cambodians), numbering about 600,000, who are concentrated in the southern provinces near the Cambodian border and at the mouth of the Mekong River. Most are farmers. Other minority groups include Cham (remnants of the once-mighty Kingdom of Champa, destroyed by the Vietnamese in the 16th century). |
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| RELIGION | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vietnam supports adherents of all the major world religions, as well as followers of religions that are peculiarly Vietnamese: Theravada and Mahayana Buddhism, Protestant and Catholic Christianity, Taoism, Confucianism, Islam, Cao Daism, Hoa Hao and Hinduism. In addition spirit and ancestor worship, To Tien, is also practiced. Confucianism is probably the most pervasive doctrine of all. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| LANGUAGE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Vietnamese language has a reputation for being fiendishly difficult to master. Its origins are still the subject of dispute - at one time thought to be a Sino-Tibetan language (because it is tonal), it is now believed to be Austro-Asiatic and related to Mon-Khmer. During the 9th century, when Vietnam was under Chinese domination, Chinese ideograms were adapted for use with the Vietnamese language. The script - chu nho ('scholar script') was used in all official correspondence and in literature until the 20th century, though whether this replaced an earlier writing system is not known. As early Vietnamese nationalists tried to break away from Chinese cultural dominance in the late 13th century, they devised their own script, based on Chinese ideograms, but adapted to meet Vietnamese language needs. This became known as chu nom or 'vulgar script'. Therefore, while Chinese words formed the learned vocabulary of the intelligentsia - largely inaccessible to the people on the street or in the paddy field - non-Chinese words made up a parallel popular vocabulary. Since World War One the Latin-based quoc ngu script has become widely used. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| MANNER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Vietnamese used to greet one another by clasping their hands, prayer-like, in front of their faces and bowing slightly. Unfortunately, this charming custom has been replaced by the handshake. When trying to gain the attention of a Vietnamese, try not to point or gesture excessively. This is regarded as rude. Call out their names if possible, if not beckon by using the whole hand, palm downwards. Again, as in the other countries of South-East Asia, do not touch people on the head as it is regarded as spiritually the 'highest' part of the body. Expect to be the centre of attention outside Saigon, Hanoi and the main tourist centers. React accordingly and be a good ambassador. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CURRENCY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The currency issued by the Vietnam State Bank is the Dong
officially denoted by the prefix VND. Notes come in denominations of 100d,
200d, 500d, 1,000d, 2,000d, 5,000d, 10,000d, 20,000d and 50,000d. (USD 1 =
1,600 Dong) Travellers can change their money at the banks, hotels and jewelry stores throughout the country. At present only certain travellers' cheques and credit cards are acceptable in big cities, including Visa, Master card and American Express. Currency Converter by OANDA, Inc. |
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| PASSPORT & VISA | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| VISA ON ARRIVAL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| VISA FROM THE LAOTIAN EMBASSY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| AIRPORT TAX | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| USD 10.- per international passenger | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| CLIMATE & TEMPERATURES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In the southern part has two seasons The wet : May to November The dry : December to April In the northern part has two seasons Cool : November to April Hot : May to October |
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| PUBLIC HOLIDAYS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| TIME ZONE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Vietnam's time zone is GMT +7. There is no daylight saving time
here. 09:00 in Tokyo is 11:00 in Hanoi on the same day. 09:00 in London is 16:00 in Hanoi on the same day. 09:00 in Hanoi is 20:00 in New York on the previous day. World Time Zone |
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| WEIGHTS & MEASURES | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The metric system is in use here. Weights are in kilograms, distances in kilometers. Gasoline is measured in litres. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| ELECTRICITY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Local mains voltage is 220V, 50Hz. Bring a converter for any 110V equipment. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| BUSINESS HOURS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| All government offices are open eight hours a day from 7:30 to 16:30 (one hour lunch break) on Monday to Saturday. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| FOOD & WATER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Standards of hygiene in many parts of Myanmar can be quite low, so
the threat of amoebic dysentery is present. Make sure you peel all fruit
yourself and avoid eating raw vegetables. However, dehydration can be a
problem, so you should drink plenty of bottled liquids along with a
mixture of rehydration salts. Avoid all water that hasn't been thoroughly boiled or sterilized. Drink only bottled water and soft drinks that haven't been opened yet |