|
| Official name: |
Socialist Republic of Vietnam |
| Area: |
330,900 square kilometres |
| Capital city: |
Hanoi |
| Population: |
80 million |
| Major cities: |
Ho Chi Minh City, Danang, Hai Phong,
Halong, Hue, Dalat, Nha Trang, Can Tho |
| Local time: |
GMT + 7 hours |
| Currency: |
dong (VND), USD 1 = VND 15,800 |
Geography
Spreading along the eastern edge of the Indochinese Peninsula, Vietnam covers a land area of 330,900 sq. km with the legendary world of Halong Bay, the colourful charm of Central Highlands and the criss-cross waterways of the Mekong Delta. The country boasts a marvelous coastline of 3,260km dotted with white sandy beaches, tranquil bays and vivid coral reefs. Vietnam also shares land borders of 3,700km with Laos, Cambodia and China. Moreover, with a tropical monsoon climate, all parts of the country are mostly warm the whole year round, which is ideal for those who love sunny weather.
History
Vietnam has a history of 4,000 years with many ups and downs. In the 2nd century BC, China invaded Vietnam, beginning 1,000 years of domination. In 938, the first independent feudal dynasty of Vietnam was established. In 1858, French troops attacked Danang, opening a colonial period of almost 100 years. On Sep. 2nd, 1945, President Ho Chi Minh declared Vietnam’s independence. However, in 1956, the Vietnam War broke out with American involvement. In 1973, US troops were withdrawn and the country was reunified on April 30 th, 1975. Since then, Vietnam has enjoyed independence and entered a new era of development and global economic integration.
Culture
Vietnam is a fascinating blend of the Orient and the Occident, the old and the new. Despite the current modernization process taking place day and night, villages with traditional customs, festivals, farming methods, folk arts, riverine activities, etc. still play an important role in Vietnam’s present-day society. Visitors can explore the cultures of 60 ethnic minority groups with intact customs and practices as well as ruined cultural and historical structures. Vietnamese culinary art, acknowledged as a superb cuisine worldwide, is a balance of ying and yang featured in its harmonious formula of green vegetables and meat with spices. Apart from their rich culture, the hospitality of the gentle Vietnamese people also makes travels to Vietnam truly enjoyable.
Tourism Infrastructure
To cope with the rapidly growing number of tourists which is projected at 7.2 million by 2010, the infrastructure in Vietnam has been dramatically improved. A massive nationwide programme, worth US$4.3 billion, has been launched to upgrade the international airports of Noi Bai (Hanoi), Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City) and Danang (Danang) and to convert the military airfields of Cam Ranh (Khanh Hoa) and Chu Lai (Danang) into civilian airports. More direct flights to Vietnam have come into operation such as the Hanoi-Tokyo-Hanoi, Luang Prabang-Danang and Danang-Siem Reap air links. Transportation to major tourist attractions is becoming more and more convenient with many roads opened and upgraded such as National Route 1, the new highways in the Red River Delta and the Truong Son Route running along the central highlands. Besides, many new world-class hotels and resorts have been opened or are under construction in Halong, Hue, Hoi An, Nha Trang and Phan Thiet.
|
