The Socialist Republic of Vietnam can be found on the Indochina Peninsula in the south east of Asia. The Republic of Vietnam is commonly referred to simply as Vietnam. Vietnam is one of the most densely populated countries in the world with a staggering eighty nine million people residing there. To the east of Vietnam you will find the South China Sea, also known as the East Sea. In all other directions Vietnam is surrounded by land. The People’s Republic of China is to the north, Laos sits on the north-west and to the south is Cambodia.
Vietnam’s largest city is Ho Chi Minh with the capital of the country being Hanoi. Vietnam’s currency is known as the ‘dong’, Vietnam’s economic growth has been substantial over the last decade. This is especially important given the problems the country has had with political issues and war. The economical growth has had a massive positive influence over every aspect of the country. The rights that women are entitled to in Vietnam have been strengthened and people’s incomes have been reviewed.
Vietnam’s area is recorded at just over one hundred and twenty eight thousand miles squared – this does not include the small islands that surround it. The Red Delta River runs through the north of the country. The southern part of Vietnam is mostly made up of coastline and forests. The highest mountain in Vietnam is called Phan Xi Pang and can be found in the Lao Cai province. The climate in Vietnam varies considerably from place to place. These variances are caused by latitude variations and topographical relief. The temperatures recorded in the north of Vietnam are subject to change much more than anywhere else in Vietnam. In the south of the country temperatures are generally a little higher than anywhere else. The advantage to this is the climate will not be an issue to holiday makers. If you want to experience Vietnam and are very specific about the kind of climate you can tolerate Vietnam can cater for anybody with its varying temperatures throughout the land. You can find a place that is right for you.
Vietnam boasts two National Heritage Sites, Halong Bay and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. Vietnam is considered bio-diverse, only twenty five countries in the world are considered worthy of being categorized like this. Even in fairly recent years new mammals and flowers have been discovered. Vietnam has allocated one hundred and twenty six acres of its land to conservation. Vietnam has had very many problems in its history and only united as one whole nation two decades ago. Since then it has done amazingly well to get where it is today. Vietnam is now a very popular tourist destination and its beaches are considered some of the best in the whole of Asia. The cuisine Vietnam has to offer has earned a fantastic reputation the world over and dining in Vietnam is a unique and unforgettable experience.