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Socialist Republic of Vietnam

National name: Cong hoa xa hoi chu nghia vietnam

President: Nguyen Minh Triet (2006)

Prime Minister: Nguyen Tan Dung (2006)

Land area: 125,622 sq mi (325,361 sq km); total area: 127,244 sq mi (329,560 sq km)

Population (2007 est.): 85,262,356 (growth rate: 1.0%); birth rate: 16.6/1000; infant mortality rate: 24.4/1000; life expectancy: 71.1; density per sq mi: 679

Capital (2003 est.): Hanoi, 2,543,700 (metro. area), 1,396,500 (city proper)

Largest cities: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), 5,894,100 (metro. area), 3,415,300 (city proper); Haiphong, 581,600; Da Nang, 452,700; Hué 271,900; Nha Trang, 270,100; Qui Nho'n, 199,700

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

Ethnicity/race: Kinh (Viet) 86.2%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.7%, Muong 1.5%, Khome 1.4%, Hoa 1.1%, Nun 1.1%, Hmong 1%, others 4.1% (1999)

Religions: Buddhist 9%, Catholic 7%, Hoa Hao 2%, Cao Dai 1%, Protestant, Islam, none 81%

Literacy rate: 94% (2003 est.)

Economic summary: GDP/PPP (2006 est.): $262.8 billion; per capita $3,100. Real growth rate: 8.2%. Inflation: 7.5%. Unemployment: 2%. Arable land: 20%. Agriculture: paddy rice, coffee, rubber, cotton, tea, pepper, soybeans, cashews, sugar cane, peanuts, bananas; poultry; fish, seafood. Labor force: 44.58 million; agriculture 20.1%, industry 41.8%, services 38.1% (July 2006). Industries: food processing, garments, shoes, machine-building; mining, coal, steel; cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, paper. Natural resources: phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil and gas deposits, forests, hydropower. Exports: $39.92 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.): crude oil, marine products, rice, coffee, rubber, tea, garments, shoes. Imports: $39.16 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.): machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer, steel products, raw cotton, grain, cement, motorcycles. Major trading partners: U.S., Japan, China, Australia, Germany, Singapore, UK, Taiwan, South Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong (2004).

Communications: Telephones: main lines in use: 15.845 million (2005); mobile cellular: 9.593 million (2005). Radio broadcast stations: AM 65, FM 7, shortwave 29 (1999). Radios: 8.2 million (1997). Television broadcast stations: at least 7 (plus 13 repeaters) (1998). Televisions: 3.57 million (1997). Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 12,114 (2006). Internet users: 13.1 million (2006).

Transportation: Railways: total: 2,600 km (2006). Highways: total: 222,179 km km; paved: 42,167 km; unpaved: 180,012 km (2004 est.). Waterways: 17,702 km navigable; more than 5,149 km navigable at all times by vessels up to 1.8 m draft. Ports and harbors: Cam Ranh, Da Nang, Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City, Ha Long, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang, Vinh, Vung Tau. Airports: 32 (2006).

International disputes: demarcation of the land boundary with China continues, but maritime boundary and joint fishing zone agreement remains unratified; Cambodia and Laos protest Vietnamese squatters and armed encroachments along border; China occupies Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; involved in a complex dispute over Spratly Islands with China, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, and possibly Brunei; claimants in November 2002 signed the “Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea,” a mechanism to ease tension but which fell short of a legally binding “code of conduct.”

Geography

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is an independent country with its sovereignty, unification and entire territory. It includes mainland, islands, territorial waters and air space. Looking at the map, you can see Vietnam which is a curved and S shaped landstrip. It is located in the centre of South East Asia with the area of 329,241 km2 and the coast of 3,260 km and the land border of 4,510 km. On the mainland, from the north pole to the south pole (as the crow flies) it is 1,650 km long, from the east pole to the west pole, the widest place is 600 km and the narrowest one is 50 km..

Climate

Vietnam is totally located in the tropical belt of the northern hemisphere, leaning towards the tropic more than the equator. This location makes Vietnam own a high temperature. The annual average temperature is from 220C - 270C. Every year there are about 100 rainy days with the average rainfall of 1,500 - 2,000 mm. The humidity is more or less 80%. The number of sunny hours is about 1,500 - 2,000. The annual average radiation heat is 100kcal/cm2. Vietnam is strongly influenced by the North East wind, therefore the average temperature here is lower than the one of other countries in the same latitude in Asia. Compared to these countries, in Vietnam it is colder in winter and less hot in summer. The system of monsoon also makes the tropical and humid characters of Vietnamese nature changed. In general, Vietnam has a hot season with a lot of rains and a quite cold season with little rain. Accordingly, the climate in the North provinces (from Hai Van pass to the North area) changes significantly in four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. In the South provinces the temperature is higher and the climate is more stable compared to the North provinces. If you come to the North of Vietnam in October and November, you should bring with you some warm clothes because the weather in the North is a bit cold in these months. However, if you come to the South of Vietnam you will feel comfortable with long sleeve shirts because the weather here is quite moderate and warm.

Currency

Vietnamese Dongs issued by the State Bank of Vietnam are unifyingly used all over the country, including the following denominations:

100 dongs	200 dongs	500 dongs	1.000 dongs	2.000 dongs
5.000dongs	10.000dongs	20.000dongs	50.000dongs	100.000dongs

1 USD = 16.250.000 VND

Traveler's cheques, credit cards (American Express Cards, Credit Cards, JCB Cards...) can be encashed into VND cash by banks. These cards are also used in tourism companies, hotels and big restaurants.

USD can be exchanged into VND or cheques at banks or foreign exchange offices, hotels and gold, silver and gem trading shops. The foreign exchange rate is often changed. When leaving Vietnam, if you have redundant VND you can exchange them into USD right at the foreign exchange offices at the airport.

Working hours

All state-owned companies work from 7.30 a.m to 4.30 p.m (including one hour for lunch). The working days are from Monday to Friday. Saturday and Sunday are holidays. Banks opens at 7.30 a.m or 8.00 a.m and close at 3.30 p.m. They are closed on Saturday afternoons and Sunday. Private shops open from 8 a.m or 8.30 a.m and close at 9 p.m or 10 p.m. .

Traffic means

Coming to Vietnam, you can choose any of the following traffic means for traveling: by railway, waterway, land, airway. The mentioned means are quite convenient and fast. If you travel in urban areas you can choose either buses or pedicabs, motorbikes, bicycles... Buses are quite popular in Vietnam. Everyday, there are a lot of bus routes along roads which you can use with cheap prices. If you would like to travel around cities for sightseeing or shopping, you can choose simple vehicles such as pedicabs. The people who rides pedicabs will take you all over guilds and streets. You can meet this kind of vehicle in streets or ask receptionists at your hotels to register this service for you. Generally, hotels in Vietnam offer this service to their customers. You can travel from a city to another by land: by coach or train. These two kinds of vehicles are popular in Vietnam and used by many foreign tourists. Railway stations with various routes and different train times per a day are convenient for passengers. If you would like to save time, you can choose airway by contacting your hotels for booking domestic or international tickets. Otherwise, you can come to air ticket agents of Vietnam Airlines, we will provide you with addresses for your contact.

Food

The cuisine of Vietnam comes as a pleasant surprise to many visitors and is definitely a part of the Vietnam experience not to be missed. One of the characteristics of Vietnamese food is that it is always fresh being bought the same morning straight from the market. Food is usually prepared with a minimum of oil and served with the ubiquitous fish sauce called nuoc mam. Typical Vietnamese dishes you can expect to try include pho, a type of rice noodle soup eaten for breakfast, cha gio, deep-fried spring rolls and goi ngo sen, a delicious salad made with lotus stems, shrimps and peanuts. Due to the strong Buddhist influence in Vietnam, vegetarian food is widely available.

All embassies are located in Hanoi, the capital. If you are dialing from a province/city other than Hanoi, you need to add the long distance dialing code (00) and area code (4) at the beginning of the phone/fax numbers. Vietnam’s country code is 84. From the United States, for instance, to reach a number in Hanoi dial 00-84-4-number. For Ho Chi Minh City, dial 00-84-8-number.

Embasies in Vietnam

Algeria	12 Phan Chu Trinh St., Tel: 825-3865, Fax: 826-0830
Argentina	8th floor, Daeha Center, 360 Kim Ma St., Tel: 831-5578, 831-5262, 831-5263, Fax: 831-5577
Australia	8 Dao Tan St, Tel: 8317755, Fax: 8317711
Austria	City Gate Building, 104 Tran Hung Dao St., Tel: 822-4005/6, Fax: 822-4004
Bangladesh	7th floor, Daeha Business Centre, 360 Kim Ma, Tel: 7716625
Belarus	11 FI, 44B Ly Thuong Kiet St., Tel: 934-4415/6, Fax: 934-4417
Belgium	9/F, 49 Hai Ba Trung St., Tel: 9346179-81
Brazil	14 Thuy Khue St, Tel: 843-2544, Fax: 843-2542
Brunei	4 Thien Quang,, Tel: 826-4816/7/8, Fax: 822-2092
Bulgaria	Van Phuc Quarter, Kim Ma St, Tel: 825-2908, Fax: 846-0856
Cambodia	71A Tran Hung Dao St, Tel: 825-3788/9, Fax: 826-5225
Canada	31 Hung Vuong, Tel: 823-5500, Fax: 823-5333
China	46 Hoang Dieu St, Tel: 845-3736, Fax: 825-2826
Cuba	65 Ly Thuong Kiet St Tel: 825-2426, Fax: 825-2426
Czech Republic	13 Chu Van An St, Tel: 845-4131, Fax: 823-3996
Denmark	19 Dien Bien Phu Tel: 823-1888, Fax: 823-1999
Egypt	Villa 6 Van Phuc, Kim Ma St, Tel: 846-0219, Fax: 846-0218
European Union (EU)	56 Ly Thai To St, Tel: 934-1300, Fax: 934-1361
Finland	31 Hai Ba Trung, Tel: 826-6788, Fax: 826-6766
France	57 Tran Hung Dao, Tel: 825-2719, Fax: 826-4236
Germany	29 Tran Phu St, Tel: 845-3836/7, Fax: 845-3838
Great Britain	Central Building, 31 Hai Ba Trung St, Tel: 825-2510, 826-7556, Fax: 826-5762, 825-2349
Hungary	12th floor, Daeha Office Tower, 360 Kim Ma, Tel: 7715714
India	58-60 Tran Hung Dao, Tel: 824-4989, Fax: 824-4998
Indonesia	50 Ngo Quyen, Tel: 825-7969, Fax: 825-9274
Iran	54 Tran Phu St, Tel: 823-4057, Fax: 823-2120
Iraq	66 Tran Hung Dao St, Tel: 825-4141, Fax: 825-4055
Isarel	68 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Tel: 843-0514, Fax: 826-6920
Italy	9 Le Phung Hieu St, Tel: 825-6246, Fax: 826-7602
Japan	27 Lieu Giai St, Tel: 846-3000, Fax: 846-3043
Laos	40 Quang Trung St, Tel: 825-4576, Fax: 822-8414
Libya	A3 Van Phuc Quarter, Kim Ma St., Tel: 845-3379, Fax: 845-4977
Malaysia	FI. 16 Fortuna Tower, 6B Lang Ha St., Tel: 8313400
Mongolia	39 Tran Phu St, Tel: 845-3009, Fax: 845-4954
Myanmar	A3 Van Phuc Quarter, Kim Ma St, Tel: 845-3369, Fax: 845-2404
Netherlands	6th floor Daeha Office Tower, 360 Kim Ma, Tel: 8315650
North Korea	25 Cao Ba Quat, Tel: 845-3008, 845-3213
Norway	56 Ly Thai To St, Tel: 826-2111, Fax: 826-0222
Palestine	E4B Trung Tu Diplomatic Living Quarter, Tel: 852-4013
Philippines	27B Tran Hung Dao St, Tel: 825-7948, Fax: 826-5760
Poland	3 Chua Mot Cot St, Tel: 845-2027, Fax: 823-6914
Romania	5 Le Hong Phong, Tel: 845-2014, Fax: 843-0922
Russia	191 La Thanh St., Tel: 8336991
Singapore	41-43 Tran Phu, Tel: 823-3966, Fax: 823-3992
Slovakia	6 Le Hong Phong, Tel: 845-4334, Fax: 845-4145
South Korea	Daeha Business Center, 360 Kim Ma St, Tel: 831-5111/6, Fax: 831-5117
Spain	Daeha Business Center, 360 Kim Ma St, Tel: 771-5207, Fax: 771-5206
Sweden	Van Phuc Quarter, Kim Ma St, Tel: 845-4824, Fax: 823-2195
Switzerland	77 Kim Ma St, Tel: 823-2019, Fax: 823-2045
Thailand	63, 65 Hoang Dieu, Tel: 823-5092, Fax: 823-5088
Turkey	4 Da Tuong St, Tel: 822-2460, Fax: 822-2458
Ukraine	49 Nguyen Du St., Tel: 9432764
United States	7 Lang Ha, Tel: 843-1500, Fax: 843-1510
Yugoslavia	47 Tran Phu, Tel: 845-2343, Fax: 845-6173

Travel agents in Vietnam provide Vietnam and Indochina tours, adventure tours, trekking tours, honeymoon tours, business tours and beach tours for individuals or groups. Tour operators in Vietnam can organise hotel bookings, air tickets, car hire, spa tours, cruises, tailor made tours and golf tours from experienced travel operators.

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