Vietnam (pronounced /ˌviːɛtˈnɑːm/; Vietnamese: Việt Nam), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Vietnamese: Cộng hòa Xã hội Chủ nghĩa Việt Nam), is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea to the east. With a population of over 86 million, Vietnam is the 13th most populous country in the world.
Vietnam was under Chinese control for a thousand years before regaining independence. Successive dynasties flourished until it was colonized by the French in the mid-19th century. Efforts to resist the French eventually led to their expulsion from the country in the mid-20th century, leaving a nation divided politically into two countries. Bitter fighting between the two sides continued during the Vietnam War, ending with a communist victory in 1975.
Emerging from a long and bitter war, the war-ravaged nation was politically isolated. The government's centrally-planned economic decisions hindered post-war reconstruction and its treatment of the losing side engendered more resentment than reconciliation. In 1986, it instituted economic and political reforms and began a path towards international reintegration. By 2000, it had established diplomatic relations with most nations. Its economic growth had been among the highest in the world in the past decade. These efforts culminated in Vietnam joining the World Trade Organization in 2007 and its successful bid to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council in 2008.
Through the centuries, Vietnam has been called by many different names: Văn Lang during the Hùng Vương Dynasty, Âu Lạc during the An Dương Vương dynasty, Van Xuan during the Anterior Lý Dynasty, Đại Cồ Việt during the Đinh dynasty and Anterior Lê Dynasty. Starting in 1054, Vietnam was called Đại Việt (Great Viet). During the Hồ Dynasty, Vietnam was called Đại Ngu. Then, in 1804, King Gia Long planned to use the name of Nam Việt for Vietnam then changed it to Việt Nam. In English, the two syllables were written into one: Vietnam. From 1839 to 1945, Emperor Minh Mạng renamed Việt Nam to Đại Nam (literally "Great South").
The name Việt Nam had been used for this country before it became the official name in "Dư địa chí" of Nguyễn Trãi written in 1435 and perhaps even before. "Việt" is the name of the largest ethnic group in Vietnam: the Kinh (người Kinh) and "Nam" means "the South", affirming Vietnam's sovereignty from China (usually called "North country" by the Vietnamese).
History
Pre-Dynastic era
The area now known as Vietnam has been inhabited since Paleolithic times, and some archaeological sites in Thanh Hoa Province purportedly date back several thousand years. Archaeologists link the beginnings of Vietnamese civilization to the late Neolithic, Early Bronze Age, Phung-nguyen culture, which was centered in Vinh Phu Province of contemporary Vietnam from about 2000 to 1400 BCE. By about 1200 BCE, the development of wet-rice cultivation and bronze casting in the Ma River and Red River plains led to the development of the Dong Son culture, notable for its elaborate bronze drums. The bronze weapons, tools, and drums of Dongsonian sites show a Southeast Asian influence that indicates an indigenous origin for the bronze-casting technology. Many small, ancient copper mine sites have been found in northern Vietnam. Some of the similarities between the Dong Sonian sites and other Southeast Asian sites include the presence of boat-shaped coffins and burial jars, stilt dwellings, and evidence of the customs of betel-nut-chewing and teeth-blackening.
The legendary Hồng Bàng Dynasty of the Hùng kings is considered by many Vietnamese as the first Vietnamese state, known as Văn Lang. In 257 BCE, the last Hùng king lost to Thục Phán, who consolidated the Lạc Việt tribes with his Âu Việt tribes, forming Âu Lạc and proclaiming himself An Dương Vương. In 207 BCE, a Chinese general named Zhao Tuo defeated An Dương Vương and consolidated Âu Lạc into Nanyue. In 111 BCE, the Chinese Han Dynasty consolidated Nanyue into their empire.
For the next thousand years, Vietnam was mostly under Chinese rule. Early independence movements such as those of the Trưng Sisters and of Lady Triệu were only briefly successful. It was independent as Vạn Xuân under the Anterior Ly Dynasty between 544 and 602. By the early 10th century, Vietnam had gained autonomy, but not independence, under the Khúc family.
Dynastic era
In 938 CE, a Vietnamese lord named Ngô Quyền defeated Chinese forces at the Bạch Đằng River and gained independence after 10 centuries under Chinese control. Renamed as Đại Việt, the nation went through a golden era during the Lý and Trần Dynasties. During the rule of the Trần Dynasty, Đại Việt repelled three Mongol invasions. Buddhism flourished and became the state religion. Following the brief Hồ Dynasty, Vietnamese independence was momentarily interrupted by the Chinese Ming Dynasty, but was restored by Lê Lợi, the founder of the Lê Dynasty. Feudalism in Vietnam reached its zenith in the Lê Dynasty of the 15th century, especially during the reign of Emperor Lê Thánh Tông. Between the 11th and 18th centuries, the Vietnamese expanded southward in a process known as nam tiến (southward expansion). They eventually conquered the kingdom of Champa and part of the Khmer Empire.
Towards the end of the Lê Dynasty, civil strife engulfed much of Vietnam. First, the Chinese-supported Mạc Dynasty challenged the Lê Dynasty's power. After the Mạc Dynasty was defeated, the Lê Dynasty was reinstalled, but with no actual power. Power was divided between the Trịnh Lords in the North and the Nguyễn Lords in the South, who engaged in a civil war for more than a hundred years. During this time, the Nguyễn expanded southern Vietnam into the Mekong Delta, annexing the Champa in the central highlands and the Khmer land in the Mekong. The civil war ended when the Tây Sơn brothers defeated both and established their new dynasty. However, their rule did not last long and they were defeated by the remnants of the Nguyễn Lords led by Nguyen Anh with the help of the French. Nguyen Anh unified Vietnam, and established the Nguyễn Dynasty, ruling under the name Gia Long.
Western Colonial era
Vietnam's independence ended in the mid-1800s, when the country was colonized by the French. The French administration imposed significant political and cultural changes on Vietnamese society. A Western-style system of modern education was developed, and Christianity was introduced into Vietnamese society. Developing a plantation economy to promote the exports of tobacco, indigo, tea and coffee, the French largely ignored increasing calls for self-government and civil rights. A nationalist political movement soon emerged, with leaders such as Phan Boi Chau, Phan Chu Trinh, Emperor Ham Nghi and Ho Chi Minh calling for independence. However, the French maintained control of their colonies until World War II, when the Japanese war in the Pacific triggered the invasion of French Indochina in 1941. This event was preceded by the establishment of the Vichy French administration, a puppet state of Nazi Germany then ally of the Japanese Empire. The natural resources of Vietnam were exploited for the purposes of the Japanese Empire's military campaigns into the British Indochinese colonies of Burma, the Malay Peninsula and India.
First Indochina War
In 1941, the Viet Minh — a communist and nationalist liberation movement — emerged under Ho Chi Minh, to seek independence for Vietnam from France as well as to oppose the Japanese occupation. Following the military defeat of Japan and the fall of its Vietnamese colony in August 1945, Viet Minh occupied Hanoi and proclaimed a provisional government, which asserted independence on September 2. In the same year the Provisional French Republic sent the French Far East Expeditionary Corps, which was originally created to fight the Japanese occupation forces, in order to pacify the liberation movement and to restore French rule. On November 20 1946, triggered by the Haiphong Incident the First Indochina War between Viet Minh and the French forces ensued, lasting until July 20 1954.
Despite fewer losses—Expeditionary Corps suffered 1/3 the casualties of the China and Soviet-backed Viet Minh—during the course of the war, the U.S.-backed French and Vietnamese loyalists eventually suffered a major strategic setback at the Siege of Dien Bien Phu, which allowed Ho Chi Minh to negotiate a ceasefire with a favorable position at the ongoing Geneva conference of 1954. Colonial administration ended as French Indochina was dissolved, and the contested State of Vietnam ceased to exist. According to the Geneva Agreements the country was divided at the 17th parallel into Ho Chi Minh's North Vietnam and Ngo Dinh Diem's South Vietnam after the example of Korea. This was intended to be temporary, pending an election in 1956, which never took place.
Vietnam War
The Communist-held Democratic Republic of Vietnam was opposed by the US-supported Republic of Vietnam. Disagreements soon emerged over the organizing of elections and reunification, and the U.S. began increasing its contribution of military advisers. U.S. forces were soon embroiled in a guerrilla war with the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam (NLF), the insurgents who were indigenous to South Vietnam. North Vietnamese forces unsuccessfully attempted to overrun the South during the 1968 Tet Offensive and the war soon spread into neighboring Laos and Cambodia, in both of which the United States bombed Communist forces supplying the North Vietnamese Army.
With its own casualties mounting, the U.S. began transferring combat roles to the South Vietnamese military in a process the U.S. called Vietnamization. The effort had mixed results. The Paris Peace Accords of January 27, 1973, formally recognized the sovereignty of both sides. Under the terms of the accords all American combat troops were withdrawn by March 29, 1973. Limited fighting continued, but all major fighting ended until the North once again sent troops to the South during the Spring of 1975, culminating in the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. South Vietnam briefly became the Republic of South Vietnam, under military occupation by North Vietnam, before being officially integrated with the North under communist rule as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on July 2, 1976.
Postwar
Upon taking control, the Vietnamese communists banned all other political parties, arrested public servants and military personnel of the Republic of Vietnam and sent them to reeducation camps. The government also embarked on a mass campaign of collectivization of farms and factories. Reconstruction of the war-ravaged country was slow, and serious humanitarian and economic problems confronted the communist regime. Millions of people fled the country in crudely-built boats, creating an international humanitarian crisis. In 1978, the Vietnamese army invaded Cambodia (sparking the Cambodian-Vietnamese War) to remove the Khmer Rouge from power. This action worsened relations with China, which launched a brief incursion into northern Vietnam (the Sino-Vietnamese War) in 1979. This conflict caused Vietnam to rely even more heavily on Soviet economic and military aid.
Đổi Mới
In a historic shift in 1986, the Communist Party of Vietnam implemented free-market reforms known as Đổi Mới (renovation). With the authority of the state remaining unchallenged, private ownership of farms and companies, deregulation and foreign investment were encouraged. The economy of Vietnam has achieved rapid growth in agricultural and industrial production, construction and housing, exports, and foreign investment. It is now one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
Government and politics
Vietnam National Convention CenterThe Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a single-party state. A new state constitution was approved in April 1992, replacing the 1975 version. The central role of the Communist Party was reasserted in all organs of government, politics and society. Only political organizations affiliated with or endorsed by the Communist Party are permitted to contest elections. These include the Vietnamese Fatherland Front, worker and trade unionist parties. Although the state remains officially committed to socialism as its defining creed, the ideology's importance has substantially diminished since the 1990s. The President of Vietnam is the titular head of state and the nominal commander in chief of the military of Vietnam, chairing the Council on National Defense and Security. The Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Tan Dung is the head of government, presiding over a council of ministers composed of 3 deputy prime ministers and the heads of 26 ministries and commissions.
The National Assembly of Vietnam is the unicameral legislature of the government, composed of 498 members. It is superior to both the executive and judicial branches. All members of the council of ministers are derived from the National Assembly. The Supreme People's Court of Vietnam, which is the highest court of appeal in the nation, is also answerable to the National Assembly. Beneath the Supreme People's Court stand the provincial municipal courts and the local courts. Military courts are also a powerful branch of the judiciary with special jurisdiction in matters of national security. All organs of Vietnam's government are controlled by the Communist Party. Most government appointees are members of the party. The General Secretary of the Communist Party is perhaps one of the most important political leaders in the nation, controlling the party's national organization and state appointments, as well as setting policy.
The Vietnam People's Army is the official name for the combined military services of Vietnam, which is organized along the lines of China's People's Liberation Army. The VPA is further subdivided into the Vietnamese People's Ground Forces (including Strategic Rear Forces and Border Defense Forces), the Vietnam People's Navy, the Vietnam People's Air Force and the coast guard. Through Vietnam's recent history, the VPA has actively been involved in Vietnam's workforce to develop the economy of Vietnam, in order to coordinate national defense and the economy. The VPA is involved in such areas as industry, agriculture, forestry, fishery and telecommunications. The total strength of the VPA is close to 500,000 officers and enlisted members. The government also organizes and maintains provincial militias and police forces. The role of the military in public life has steadily been reduced since the 1980s.
Provinces
Provinces of VietnamVietnam is divided into 59 provinces (known in Vietnamese as tỉnh, from the Chinese 省, shěng). There are also 5 centrally-controlled municipalities existing at the same level as provinces (thành phố trực thuộc trung ương).
The provinces are further subdivided into provincial municipalities (thành phố trực thuộc tỉnh), townships (thị xã) and counties (huyện), and then, subdivided into towns (thị trấn) or communes (xã).
The centrally-controlled municipalities are subdivided into districts (quận) and counties, and then, subdivided into wards (phường).
Geography and climate
Vietnam is approximately 331,688 km² (128,066 sq mi) in area (not including Hoang Sa and Truong Sa islands), larger than Italy and almost the size of Germany. The perimeter of the country running along its international boundaries is 4,639 km (2,883 mi). The topography consists of hills and densely forested mountains, with level land covering no more than 20%. Mountains account for 40% of the area, with smaller hills accounting for 40% and tropical forests 42%. The northern part of the country consists mostly of highlands and the Red River Delta. Phan Xi Păng, located in Lào Cai province, is the highest mountain in Vietnam at 3,143 m (10,312 ft). The south is divided into coastal lowlands, Annamite Chain peaks, extensive forests, and poor soil. Comprising five relatively flat plateaus of basalt soil, the highlands account for 16% of the country's arable land and 22% of its total forested land.
Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage SiteThe delta of the Red River (also known as the Sông Hồng), a flat, triangular region of 15,000 square kilometers, is smaller but more intensely developed and more densely populated than the Mekong River Delta. Once an inlet of the Gulf of Tonkin, it has been filled in by the enormous alluvial deposits of the rivers over a period of millennia, and it advances one hundred meters into the Gulf annually. The Mekong delta, covering about 40,000 square kilometers, is a low-level plain not more than three meters above sea level at any point and criss-crossed by a maze of canals and rivers. So much sediment is carried by the Mekong's various branches and tributaries that the delta advances sixty to eighty meters into the sea every year.
Because of differences in latitude and the marked variety of topographical relief, the climate tends to vary considerably from place to place. During the winter or dry season, extending roughly from November to April, the monsoon winds usually blow from the northeast along the China coast and across the Gulf of Tonkin, picking up considerable moisture; consequently the winter season in most parts of the country is dry only by comparison with the rainy or summer season. The average annual temperature is generally higher in the plains than in the mountains and plateaus and in the south than in the north. Temperatures in the southern plains (Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta) varies less, going between 21 and 28 degree Celsius (70 and 82.5 °F) over the course of a year. The seasons in the mountains and plateaus and in the north are much more dramatic, and temperatures may vary from 5 degree Celsius (41 °F) in December and January to 37 degree Celsius (98.6 °F) in July and August.
Nature
Sunset in the fishing village of Mui Ne on the south-east coastVietnam has two World's Natural Heritage sites: Halong Bay and Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and 6 World's biosphere reserves including: Can Gio Mangrove Forest, Cat Tien, Cat Ba, Kien Giang, Red River Delta, Western Nghe An.
Biodiversity
According to chapter 1 in National Environmental Present Condition Report 2005- Biodiversity Subject of Vietnam Environment Protection Agency, in species diversity, Vietnam is one of 25 countries having high level in biodiversity all over the world, is ranked 16th of biologically diverse level (having 16% world's species) (page 9). 15,986 flora was identified of which 10% was endemic (p9). Statistic says that there are 307 nematodes, 200 oligochaeta, 145 acarina, 113 springtails, 7750 insects, 260 reptiles, 120 amphibians, 840 birds and 310 mammals of which 100 birds and 78 mammals are endemic (p9,10). Vietnam also have 1438 fresh water microalgae (9,6% species in the world) (Table 1.2, p9). It is defined that there are 794 aquatic invertebrate and 2458 sea fish (p10,11). In recent years, there have been 13 genera, 222 species, 30 taxa of flora newly described and 6 mammals have been discovered such as the saola, giant muntjac, Edwards's Pheasant, Tonkin Snub-nosed Langur, livistona halongensis, geothelphusa vietnamica, etc (frame 1.4, p11,12). In agricultural genetic diversity, Vietnam is one of 12 world's original cultivar centers (p13). Vietnam National Cultivar Gene Bank is preserving 12,300 cultivars of 115 species (p14).
In chapter 4 of that report, it is said that Vietnam government spent 49.07 million USD for biodiversity in 2004 (p71) and have established 126 conservation areas including 28 national parks (p73).
Economy
Vietnamese currency: 500 000 VNDThe Vietnam War destroyed much of the economy of Vietnam. Upon taking power, the Government created a planned economy for the nation. Collectivization of farms, factories and economic capital was implemented, and millions of people were put to work in government programs. For many decades, Vietnam's economy was plagued with inefficiency and corruption in state programs, poor quality and underproduction and restrictions on economic activities and trade. It also suffered from the trade embargo from the United States and most of Europe after the Vietnam War. Subsequently, the trade partners of the Communist blocs began to erode. In 1986, the Sixth Party Congress introduced significant economic reforms with market economy elements as part of a broad economic reform package called "đổi mới" (Renovation). Private ownership was encouraged in industries, commerce and agriculture. Vietnam achieved around 8% annual GDP growth from 1990 to 1997 and continued at around 7% from 2000 to 2005, making it the world's second-fastest growing economy. Simultaneously, foreign investment grew threefold and domestic savings quintupled.
Rice farming in Ninh Binh ProvinceManufacturing, information technology and high-tech industries form a large and fast-growing part of the national economy. Vietnam is a relative new-comer to the oil business, but today it is the third-largest oil producer in Southeast Asia with output of 400,000 barrels per day (64,000 m³/d). Vietnam is one of Asia's most open economies: two-way trade is around 160% of GDP, more than twice the ratio for China and over four times India's.
Vietnam is still a relatively poor country with an annual GDP of US$280.2 billion at purchasing power parity (2006 estimate). This translates to a purchasing power of about US$3,300 per capita (or US$726 per capita at the market exchange rate). Inflation rate was estimated at 7.5% per year in 2006. Deep poverty, defined as a percent of the population living under $1 per day, has declined significantly and is now smaller than that of China, India, and the Philippines.
As a result of several land reform measures, Vietnam is now the largest producer of cashew nuts with a one-third global share and second largest rice exporter in the world after Thailand. Vietnam has the highest percent of land use for permanent crops, 6.93%, of any nation in the Greater Mekong Subregion. Besides rice, key exports are coffee, tea, rubber, and fishery products. However, agriculture's share of economic output has declined, falling as a share of GDP from 42% in 1989 to 20% in 2006, as production in other sectors of the economy has risen. According to the CIA World Fact Book, the unemployment rate in Vietnam is one of the lowest in the world at 2%, trailing behind only Azerbaijan, Cuba, Iceland, Andorra and Liechtenstein. Among other steps taken in the process of transitioning to a market economy, Vietnam in July 2006 updated its intellectual property legislation to comply with TRIPS. Vietnam was accepted into the WTO on November 7, 2006. Vietnam's chief trading partners include Japan, Australia, ASEAN countries, the U.S. and Western European countries.
Military
Quân Đội Nhân Dân Việt Nam, The Vietnam People's Army (VPA), is the official collective term for the armed forces of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The VPA consists of the Vietnam People's Ground Forces, Vietnam People's Navy, Vietnam People's Air Force, and Vietnam People's Coast Guard.
Transport
The modern transport network of Vietnam was originally developed under French rule for the purpose of raw materials harvesting, and reconstructed and extensively modernized following the Vietnam War. The road system is the most popular form of transportation in the country. Vietnam’s road system includes national roads administered by the central level; provincial roads managed by the provincial level; district roads managed by the district level; urban roads managed by cities and towns; and commune roads managed by the commune level.
Bicycles, motor scooters and motorcycles remain the most popular forms of road transport in Vietnam's cities, towns, and villages although the number of privately-owned automobiles is also on the rise, especially in the larger cities. Public bus operated by private companies is the main long distance travel means for many people. Traffic congestion is a serious problem in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City as the cities' roads struggle to cope with the booming numbers of automobiles. There are also more than 17,000 kilometers of navigable waterways, which play a significant role in rural life owing to the extensive network of rivers in Vietnam.
The nation has seven developed ports and harbors at Cam Ranh, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Gai (Halong City), Qui Nhon, and Nha Trang.
Demography
Population
Recent census estimates the population of Vietnam at beyond 84 million. Vietnamese people, also called "Viet" or "Kinh", account for 86.2 percent of the population. Their population is concentrated in the alluvial deltas and coastal plains of the country. A homogeneous social and ethnic majority group, the Kinh exert political and economic control. There are more than 54 ethnic minorities throughout the country, but the Kinh are purveyors of the dominant culture. Most ethnic minorities, such as the Muong, a closely related ethnic of the Kinh, are found mostly in the highlands covering two-thirds of the territory. The Hoa (ethnic Chinese) and Khmer Krom are mainly lowlanders. The largest ethnic minority groups include the Hmong, Dao, Tay, Thai, and Nung.
Languages
The people of Vietnam speak Vietnamese as a native language. In its early history, Vietnamese writing used Chinese characters. In the 13th century, the Vietnamese developed their own set of characters called Chữ nôm. The celebrated epic Đoạn trường tân thanh (Truyện Kiều or The Tale of Kieu) by Nguyễn Du was written in Chữ nôm. During the French colonial period, Quốc ngữ, the romanized Vietnamese alphabet used for spoken Vietnamese, which was developed in 17th century by Jesuit Alexandre De Rhodes and several other Catholic missionaries, became popular and brought literacy to the masses.
Various other languages are spoken by several minority groups in Vietnam. The most common of these are Tày, Mường, Khmer, Chinese, Nùng, and H'Mông. The French language, a legacy of colonial rule, is still spoken by some older Vietnamese as a second language, but is losing its popularity. Vietnam is also a full member of the Francophonie. Russian — and to a much lesser extent German, Czech, or Polish — is sometimes known among those whose families had ties with the Soviet bloc. In recent years, English is becoming more popular as a second language. English study is obligatory in most schools. Chinese and Japanese have also become more popular.
"One pillar" pagoda, Hanoi capital.
Cao Dai temple in My ThoFor much of Vietnamese history, Mahayana Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism have strongly influenced the religious and cultural life of the people. About 85% of Vietnamese identify with Buddhism even though they do not practice on a regular basis. About 8% of the population are Christians (about 6 million Roman Catholics and less than 1 million Protestants, census of 2007). Christianity was introduced first by the Portuguese and the Dutch traders in the 16th and 17th centuries, then further propagated under the French colonists in the 19th and 20th centuries, and to a lesser extent, by American Protestant missionaries during the presence of American forces during the 1960s and early 70's. The largest Protestant churches are the Evangelical Church of Vietnam and the Montagnard Evangelical Church.
Vietnam has great reservation towards Roman Catholicism. This mistrust originated during the French colonial time when some Catholics collaborated with the French colonists as espionage agents and militiamen to suppress the Vietnamese independence movement. Furthermore, the Church's teaching regarding communism made it an unwelcome counterforce to communist rule. Relationship with the Vatican, however, has improved in recent years. Membership of Sunni and Bashi Islam is usually accredited to the ethnic Cham minority, but there are also a few ethnic Vietnamese adherents of Islam in the southwest. The total number of Muslims remains very small nevertheless. The communist government has from time to time been criticized for its religious restrictions although it has categorically denied that such restrictions exist today.
The vast majority of Vietnamese people of Asian religions practice Ancestor Worship, although this may not be strictly considered a religion.
From the articles of Religions by country, Religion in Vietnam and Demographics of Vietnam; 85% is nominal/secular Buddhists including predominant 83% East Asian Buddhist or "Triple religion" (80% of people are worship the mixture of Mahayana Buddhism mainly, Taoism, Confucianism with Ancestor Worship; 2% Hòa Hảo with 1% of some new Vietnamese-Buddhist sects as Tứ Ân Hiếu Nghĩa, Pure Land Buddhist, etc) and 2% Theravada Buddhism, mainly among Khmer people but the census of Government showed that only over 10 million people have taken refuge in the Three Jewels; 8% Christians (7% Catholics and 1% Protestants); 3% Caodaism; 2.5% Tribal animism; less than 70 thousand Muslims; small Hindu communities (over 50 thousand people) and a small numbers of Baha'is.
Education
Vietnam has an extensive state-controlled network of schools, colleges and universities but the number of privately-run and mixed public and private institutions is also growing. General education in Vietnam is imparted in 5 categories: Kindergarten, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools, and college / university. Courses are taught mainly in Vietnamese. A large number of public schools have been organized across cities, towns and villages with the purpose of raising the national literacy rate which is already among the highest in the world. There are a large number of specialist colleges, established to develop a diverse and skilled national workforce. A large number of Vietnam's most acclaimed universities are based in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Facing serious crises, Vietnam's education system is under a holistic reform launched by the government. In Vietnam, education from age 6 to 11 is free and mandatory. Education above these ages is not free, therefore some poor families may find it hard to come up with the tuition for their children without some forms of public or private assistance. Regardless, school enrollment is among the highest in the world and the number of colleges and universities increased quite dramatically in recent years, from 178 in 2000 to 299 in 2005.
Health service
Science
In the past, Vietnam did not have "science" in its generally accepted meaning, but many fields were well developed, especially social science and humanities. It has at least ten centuries of commentary and analytic writings. Among the best known works are those of "Đại Việt sử ký toàn thư" of Ngô Sĩ Liên. Writings that deal with geography, nature, customs and people were written by "Dư địa chí" of Nguyễn Trãi. In mathematics, operations (including power and extract the root) of primary arithmetics and surveying, measurement (length, area, volume...) of primary geometry were taught in schools using the famous textbook: "Đại thành toán pháp" of Lương Thế Vinh. Lương Thế Vinh had notion of zero and Mạc Hiển Tích used the term "số ẩn" (unknown/secret/hidden number) to refer to negative numbers. Much knowledge was collected into encyclopedia: "Vân đài loại ngữ" of Lê Quý Đôn and "Lịch triều hiến chương loại chí" of Phan Huy Chú.
Culture
The Hanoi Opera House is an example of French Colonial architecture in Vietnam.The official spoken and written language of Vietnam is Vietnamese.
The culture of Vietnam has been influenced by neighboring China. Due to Vietnam's long association with the south of China, one characteristic of Vietnamese culture is financial duty. Education and self-betterment are highly valued. Historically, passing the imperial Mandarin exams was the only means for Vietnamese people to socially advance themselves.
In the socialist era, the cultural life of Vietnam has been deeply influenced by government-controlled media and the cultural influences of socialist programs. For many decades, foreign cultural influences were shunned and emphasis placed on appreciating and sharing the culture of communist nations such as the Soviet Union, China, Cuba and others. Since the 1990s, Vietnam has seen a greater exposure to Southeast Asian, European and American culture and media.
One of the most popular Vietnamese traditional garments is the "Áo Dài", worn often for special occasions such as weddings or festivals. White Áo dài is the required uniform for girls in many high schools across Vietnam. Áo Dài was once worn by both genders but today it is worn mainly by females, except for certain important traditional culture-related occasions where some men do wear it.
Vietnamese cuisine uses very little oil and many vegetables. The main dishes are often based on rice, soy sauce, and fish sauce. Its characteristic flavors are sweet (sugar), spicy (serrano peppers), sour (lime), nuoc mam (fish sauce), and flavored by a variety of mint and basil.
Vietnamese music varies slightly in the three regions: Bắc or North, Trung or Central, and Nam or South. Northern classical music is Vietnam's oldest and is traditionally more formal. Vietnamese classical music can be traced to the Mongol invasions, when the Vietnamese captured a Chinese opera troupe. Central classical music shows the influences of Champa culture with its melancholic melodies. Southern music exudes a lively laissez-faire attitude.
My Dinh National Stadium in Western HanoiFootball (soccer) is the most popular sport in Vietnam. Sports and games such as badminton, tennis, ping pong, and chess are also popular with large segments of the population. Volleyball, especially women's volleyball, is watched by a fairly large number of Vietnamese. The (expatriate Vietnamese) community forms a prominent part of Vietnamese cultural life, introducing Western sports, films, music and other cultural activities in the nation.
Vietnam is home to a small film industry.
Among countless other traditional Vietnamese occasions, the traditional Vietnamese wedding is one of the most important. Regardless of westernization, many of the age-old customs in a Vietnamese wedding continue to be celebrated by both Vietnamese in Vietnam and overseas, often combining both western and eastern elements.
Media
Vietnam's media sector is controlled by the government to follow the official communist party line. The Voice of Vietnam is the official state-run radio broadcasting service that covers the nation. It also broadcasts internationally via shortwave, renting transmitters in other countries and provides broadcasts from its website. Vietnam Television is the national television broadcasting company. As Vietnam moved toward a free-market economy with its Đổi mới measures, the government has relied on the print media to keep the public informed about its policies. The measure has had the effect of almost doubling the numbers of newspapers and magazines since 1996 . Vietnam is putting considerable effort into modernization and expansion of its telecommunication system, but its performance continues to lag behind that of its more modern neighbors.
Tourism
Vietnam's number of visitors for tourism and vacation has increased steadily over the past ten years. About 3.56 million international guests visited Vietnam in 2006, an increase of 3.7% from 2005. The country is investing capital into the coastal regions that are already popular for their beaches and boat tours. Hotel staff and tourism guides in these regions speak a good amount of English.
Sports and games
International rankings
Organization Survey Ranking
Heritage Foundation/The Wall Street Journal Index of Economic Freedom 142 out of 157
The Economist Worldwide Quality-of-life Index, 2005 61 out of 111
Reporters Without Borders Worldwide Press Freedom Index 155 out of 167
Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index 111 out of 163
United Nations Development Programme Human Development Index 109 out of 177
World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report 77 out of 125
Southeast Asian countries. In the eastern part of Indochina Peninsula, the South China Sea Pro. North China. Area 32 96 million square kilometers. Population 7260 million (1994). Hanoi. Within 3 / 4 for the mountain, the Red River Delta and the Mekong Delta, the northern and southern separation. Tropical monsoon climate. One of the world's leading rice exporters. Industries of metallurgy, machinery, coal, textile and other sectors.
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Travel
Best time to travel Vietnam: Vietnam is located in the south of the Tropic of Cancer, the annual no obvious seasons, and is generally divided into dry and wet seasons. The so-called dry season, mainly refers to the November from a year in April the following year this time, and from April to October, compared with the rainy season. Vietnam's dry season, sunny, blue skies; beautiful mountains, flowers Tuyan, is Vietnam's most beautiful season, so at this time to travel is the most appropriate. Vietnamese folk festival: cultural influence by the Chinese, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year and Chinese Lunar New Year the same date, the date of folk festivals and customs are basic and, like China, while there are many characteristics with the national holiday. Chinese New Year: Send The Kitchen, prepared New Year, the first ancestors, the fireworks display, post scrolls ... ... Chinese tourists in Vietnam for the New Year will be the illusion of back home. But the Vietnamese do not eat dumplings and rice balls, but eating rice cakes and a round square dumplings, families would put three things: a bouquet of flowers, a pot of kumquats and a blob of five kinds of fruit fruit, in order to New Year greetings. There are many taboos during the Spring Festival: You can not fight, can not be using foul language, can not do farm work, so things can not be broken. There are also many traditional folk customs and activities of stress, not only to see the shadow of the Chinese culture, but also very local characteristics, is not not participate in the great excitement. Dragon Boat Festival: Dragon Boat Festival, the Vietnamese eat dumplings, and mining herbal insect, said the Dragon Boat Festival is very efficacious herbs. In addition to parents early in the day for the children to prepare food and fruits of several sour, do not know why. Ha Festival: is a traditional festival Jing people. "Ha" in the more language is "singing" means, so "Ha Festival" is a singing festival. Some of the date of the holidays around the tenth day in the lunar month before, and some in August tenth day before. Beijing people of the village have built a "Ha Pavilion", usually for people to enjoy the cool, singing and social activities of young men and women caught in "Ha Festival", the welcome will be held here, ancestors, ancestor worship, banquets, singing, dancing, singing and other activities. July Festival: La Chi is the family holiday. Who started from the seventh lunar month festival in July began, which lasted 13 days. Each household to send a man who started carrying wine and meat to "Bomi such as" (old parents) at home, presided over by the Bomi, such as "Welcome ancestors" ceremony. If after the date specified by Bomi, each household in turn held a "welcome ancestral Changxin" ceremony, namely ancestral sacrifice offerings. Forbidden during the holiday season with a non-native language of conversation. July 13, it held a grand home in Bomi, such as the "free ancestors," the ceremony, the festival culminates at this time. Mid-Autumn Festival: Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival is a Children's Day in fact, the children carrying paper lanterns and all kinds of play in the moonlight. Pangu Festival: Beijing Pangu Festival is a traditional festival for family, time, late in the twelfth lunar month lunar calendar, every family slaughtered chickens Lord, worship exalted Pangu, in order to bless the beginning. Chinese festivals: the Chinese in Vietnam maintained the custom of worship Chinese gods, deities are regarded as the birthday of a small festival, there are certain ceremonies and activities. And days later (that is, Matsu) birthday on February 23 Lunar New Year is the most important big sacrifice, because the local Chinese as a protector of the days. Public Holidays In late January to early February: tetnguyendan, Lunar New Year (3 days) April 5 to 20: thanhminh, Ching Ming Festival (Memorial and the tomb sweeping ancestors) February 3: Communist Party of Vietnam _set_ up at April 30: Liberation Day in Vietnam May 1: Labor Day May 19: Ho Chi Minh's birthday September 2: Vietnamese National Day Vietnam City Map: Vietnam to remind: Visa: In addition to Beijing Embassy, Vietnam in Kunming, Nanning, Guangzhou to _set_ up consulates, and other places of departure can also be asked a friend to help do the visa service by post office (to pay 30 yuan about costs), costs 350 yuan, time 3-4 days. Vietnam also signed landing cost of a visa a little cheaper than in China, but to do it too much trouble. If your trip requires two or more out of Vietnam, we certainly want to make clear when a visa, otherwise, do not just spend 28 dollars to re-visa, at least one day will be a waste of time, because at least one working day visa . Currency: Vietnamese dong can only use U.S. dollars or RMB basically can not flow (even if the individual local circulation, the exchange rate is also very unsatisfactory.) February 2005 the exchange rate USD 1 = VND 15500-15600. Accommodation, transportation and shopping can be used basically the U.S., and meals and attractions tickets for general use VND, Vietnamese Dong in the place you used to use U.S. dollars, it will only accept a less than ideal exchange rate of the (usually 1:15000 .) U.S. in Vietnam is very convenient for all the hotels and opentour companies can change, at most 500 shield it from top to bottom. * Cameras, computers, mobile phones and other valuables when entry declaration does not carry more than 6,000 yuan; • When you have just arrived at the airport, wary of cheap private taxi driver. Despite the cheap, but they are likely to be stopped by the police. And you only have to delay a long time, but will also pay a fine in an amount much higher than the normal taxi ride costs. * Chinese Embassy in Hanoi Address: 46hoangdieuroad, hanoi, vietnam Tel :0084-4-85437368232845 Fax :0084 -4-8232826 Email: pobox13 Vietnamese cuisine: Vietnamese family style meal and rice to Western-based, fusion, Vietnam, the more French-style meal, with rice, flour, rice noodle-eating, and served with fish sauce (nuocmam) and shrimp paste (mamtom ), in addition to rice or noodles, the Vietnam-style spring rolls, rice rolls and sugar cane shrimp style hot pot is quite popular. Others include French bread (baguette), coffee, beer (in biahoi more popular) and wine, but also has its certain characteristics, visitors may wish to try. Any bar or restaurant has to provide free lettuce, locals are used raw, worth a try. The general level of consumption per capita is about 25,000 shields. Coffee drinkers can Guo Zuyin a friend to Vietnam. Vietnamese Asian countries, probably the most like to drink coffee, a cup of coffee to get up early almost all the Vietnamese collective behavior. Best of all, regardless of the roadside food stalls or restaurants for coffee are the same inexpensive, usually around a glass shield in 3000-8000. Vietnam is another delicious freshly squeezed fruit juice, and coffee as popular, the price is about the same. Tips: If the point in Vietnam, rice meal, be sure to note whitenoodle or ricenoodle; if you really want to eat noodles to note is yellownoodle. Vietnam shopping: the opening in recent years, Vietnam array of imported goods in the southern city, many of them than in the domestic price to be cheaper to buy, you can choose to buy. However, to consider the warranty issues. More tourists in Vietnam rise to a desire to buy traditional handicrafts. Silverware, lacquer ware, wood, coral, dense wax, amber and a variety of sea turtle products are unique souvenirs with Vietnam. But the heritage and arts and crafts made with the protection of animals may be unable to take leave, we should carefully ask. Purchase of personal property items in Vietnam, more than 10,000 U.S. dollars will need to register in the customs, it should save a good purchase invoices to avoid trouble. Shopping for commercial purposes must be approved before they can exit through the check. Vietnam Transportation: External: Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City's international airport is the main external transport hub, has been with the world's 20 countries and regions shipping. And the highways between the neighboring countries, scheduled bus trips, though not comfortable, but it is very cheap way to travel. Internal: Long and narrow in Vietnam, Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City through the north-south rail and road are the two main artery, both ends of the road network in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, respectively for the center to the periphery stretching. Vietnam's water transportation is very convenient, the main route along the coast about 4200 km, a major port in Hai Phong, Hung-chi, Danang, Qui Nhon, Vung Tau, Ho Chi Minh City and so on. Over 10,000 km navigable river. 70% of the goods by sea and inland waterway transport. City: City bus lines, trains are rarely, even in the capital Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City these major cities, buses are rare. Can call a taxi, but also in some large hotels, parking lot called the car, but the number is not a lot of taxis, and expensive, tourists and the general public to bear. But Vietnam is known as "motorcycle Kingdom", the motorcycle far more than the number of cars. Without their own transport, tourists can take a passenger motorcycle, tricycle. General motorcycle parked in the street manned roadside, fast and convenient, but when the car in traffic quickly through the rough time, who is to take some courage. Most people prefer tricycles can walk through the streets, leisurely sightseeing. Tricycle can be called anywhere, and the driver must bargain with the language barrier of foreign tourists, can reach out and fingers, then pointed to the location on the map on it. Many other Vietnam hotels offer bicycle and motorcycle rental. Do not need to pay a deposit to rent a car, return the car before payment. Accommodation Vietnam: Vietnam has not bad hotels in major cities, ordinary hotel low price. In Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and the various resorts are also more expensive international tourist hotels and seaside villas large. In some roadside tavern, and often some of the Vietnamese residents will be drinking, chatting, if interested, may also wish to sit, feel the Vietnamese "casual dining." Location: Located in eastern Indochina, Southeast facing the sea, there are over 3,260 km coastline, the North and China to the west with Laos and Cambodia border. Area: 329,556 square kilometers Population: 75,000,000 National: 89% Jing, and Dai, Dai, Mountain, Lennon, seedlings, soil, more than 60 ethnic Language: Vietnamese Religion: Buddhism, Catholicism, Christianity Capital: Hanoi Time difference: 1 hour later than Beijing Currency: VND Code: 84 Population: 7,973 million (2002). Vietnam is a multi-ethnic country, the more family (Jing) accounted for 89% of the rest, according to Dai, Mountain, Lennon, Dai, Hmong (Miao), Yao, accounting, Khmer, more than 60 nationalities. General Vietnamese. Main religions are Buddhism, Catholicism, and good teaching and Cao Dai. There are more than 100 million Chinese. Economy: Viet Nam, Department of the developing countries. Agriculture dominates the economy. Rich in mineral resources, species diversity, mainly coal, iron, titanium, manganese, chromium, aluminum, tin and phosphorus. Including coal, iron, aluminum, larger reserves. Forest, water and offshore fisheries resources. Rich rice, tropical crops and tropical fruits. There are 6,845 kinds of marine life, including 2000 kinds of fish, crabs, 300 species of shellfish, 300 species, 75 kinds of shrimp. Area of about 10 million hectares of forest. Vietnam is a traditional agricultural country. Agricultural population accounts for about 80% of the total population, agricultural output accounted for 30% of GDP or more. Agricultural land and woodland 60% of the total area. Food crops including rice, maize, potatoes, sweet potatoes and cassava, the main cash crops of fruit, coffee, rubber, cashew, tea, peanuts, silk and so on. Major industrial sectors of coal, electricity, metallurgy, textile and so on. Vietnam since the early nineties really business tourism, tourism resources. Major tourist attractions are located in the Hoan Kiem Lake, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, Temple, Ba Dinh Square, Ho Chi Minh City's reunification palace, Bud Long Port, Lotus Lake Park, Cu Chi tunnels and Ha Long Bay in Quang Ninh province, and so on. Vietnam and the world more than 150 countries and regions trade relations. In recent years, the rapid pace of sustained economic growth. World Heritage Committee in 1994 identified as world natural heritage, traditional festivals and folk: the Vietnamese and Chinese traditional festival of the same nation, there are the Spring Festival, Tomb Sweeping Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, Double Ninth Festival, among which is the biggest Chinese New Year holiday. Vietnam, honest, polite people. Used to say hello when we meet and say hello or nod, or line handshake, or hug French etiquette, and more proportionate to brothers and sisters. Vietnam deeply influenced by Chinese culture, many believe in Buddhism. Buddhism, introduced from the Eastern Han Dynasty in Vietnam, after the tenth century, is revered as the state religion of Buddhism. Buddhists across the country about 2000 people. In addition, over 400 years of Catholicism in Vietnam, there are currently about 300 million followers, mostly south. Vietnamese worship their ancestors, the general superstition City God, the God of Wealth. Ordinary citizens at home are equipped with altar, incense table, holidays at home for worship. Wearing a simple dress, formal occasions, men in suits, women of ethnic-style "gown" (similar to the dress) and trousers. Eating habits and Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan similar to some ethnic groups. Eat with chopsticks, like to eat light, cold hot and sour food. Three Vietnamese taboo photo, can not use a match or cigarette lighter straight to the three men, considered unlucky. Do not want people to touch his head, his feet facing the people can not sit on the floor.
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Administrative Division
越南 行政区划
越南 行政区划
越南 行政区划
November 2003 in Vietnam to increase the number of the local government level, the current 59 provinces (tỉnh) 5 municipalities (Thành phố). (By keating) Vietnamese local governments divided into the following levels: provincial (tỉnh), City (Thành phố) - County (huyện), city (thị), area (quận) - township, village, Square. Municipality is divided into a number of areas, cities (thị) including Thành phố [corresponding Chinese characters may be "the city shop"] and Thị xã [corresponding Chinese characters may be "municipal agency"]. The following information translated "Vietnam Tourism Network" (www.vietnamtourism.com) [Vietnamese]. About 2004 data. Part of the Chinese writing names without Yousi certification. Vietnam, the Chinese translation of the local government on the description of adjustment: an integrated assessment, the local level in Vietnam, tỉnh still translated as province, Thành phố (including secondary) translation for the city; sub-local government, huyện still translated into the county , Thị xã translated into the town (more than the original translation for the city), quận uniform translation for the county (the original area, the county general); two divisions, the end of 2003, City 26, Town 58, District 43, County 536 (including the islands County), according to statoids. According to April 4, 2007 Richard Vietnam travel information, namely, City 43, Town 49 (by keating). Yuanding six Western Han Dynasty (111 years ago), the Han empire empire Gongmie South Vietnam, the Vietnamese began to rule this land, until China's Song Diguo period, known as "Cochin", "Kofi Annan." September 2, 1945 declaration of independence, July 1954, on the restoration of peace in Indo-China to sign the Geneva Agreement, Vietnam is bounded by latitude 17 degrees North-South divide. May 1975 be the south of North Vietnam Wu Liping. April 1976 election of a unified Parliament, in July declared a national unity, given the country called the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Vietnam is an administrative division after World War II, frequent changes in the world. 1959: South Vietnam, 22 provinces and from the Southern Qi composed of 13 provinces Annan; North Vietnam from the 4 provinces and Tokyo Annan composed of 29 provinces. 1975.12.27: North Vietnamese National Assembly passed a resolution to the North Vietnamese to withdraw regional level administrative divisions, and some provinces combined. To this end, North Vietnam from the 23 provinces, two municipalities (Hanoi, Haiphong), a Special Administrative Region (SAR Ling Yong) and two autonomous regions (the more northern autonomous region, northwestern autonomous region), to 15 provinces and two municipalities. Quang Binh Province and never the original spirit of the SAR with the Vietnamese southern province of Quang Tri Province and Edward established Mercedes-day province of merger; Cao Bang province by the provincial high understanding and merging of Lang Son Province; River Xuan Giang province and the province of Tuyen Quang merger; Province by the Lao Cai Province Mt.Huanglian, Yen Bai Province and Yuan Yi Road Carbon County, Province, Wen Zhen County, Zhan Gang Chai Hu Mu played county merger of the county; Son La Province Son La province and defined by the province of North County Road, County Rotary merger; Rivers and mountains of Binh Province and peaceful province of Ha Tay province by the merger; Henan, Henan and Liaoning Province Ninh Binh Province by the merger; Defined by the province of Nghe Tinh and Ha Tinh provinces merger. 1976.7.2: a unified North and South Vietnam, Saigon - renamed Ho Chi Minh City in Jiading. Early 1979: Analysis of high understanding Province, Cao Bang and Lang Son province is _set_ to province. The early 1980s: Vung Tau - Kunlun Island SAR establishment, the original plan, Vung Tau, Dong Nai Province Hau Giang Province, surrounding areas and the establishment of the Kunlun Island. So far, there are 36 provinces, municipalities 3, The SAR 1. 1989.6.30: An Analysis of the original meaning _set_ Binh Province Quang Ngai province (in general) peace Dinh (in Qui Nhon); Analysis of the original home for the Phu Khanh Province, Phu Yen province (in Sui and), and Khanh Hoa (in Nha Trang); Analysis of the original Mercedes-day province of Quang Binh province, is _set_ to (in Dong Hoi), Quang Tri province (in the East River) and Thien - Hue Province (in Hue). 1991.8.12: The original meaning Tinh province of Nghe An analysis _set_ (in Vinh) and Ha Tinh province (in Ha Tinh); Analysis of the original _set_ Mt.Huanglian Yen Bai province, provincial (in Yen Bai) and Lao Cai Province (in Street); Analysis of the original River Vision Province Ha Giang Province is _set_ to (in Ha Giang) and Tuyen Quang province (in Tuyen Quang); Original Gia Lai - Kontum Province Gia Lai province analysis _set_ (standing wave to old) and Kon Tum provinces (in Kontum); Analysis of the original rivers and mountains _set_ Binh Province Ha Tay province (in east) and peace province (in peace); The establishment of Ba Ria - Vung Tau Province, including the original Vung Tau - Kunlun, DC, and Dong Nai province, the island's three counties, in Vung Tau. 1991.12.26: An Analysis of the original _set_ along the sea province of Ninh Thuan province (in Phan Long - Tower accounted for Phan Rang-Thap Cham) and Binh Thuan (in Phan Thiet); Analysis of the former province of Hau Giang province is _set_ to Can Tho (in Can Tho) and Soc Trang provinces (in Soc Trang); Analysis of the original Kowloon Province is _set_ to Vinh Long province (in Wing Lung) and Tra Vinh province (in Tra Vinh); Analysis of the original _set_ of Henan Ning province of Nam Ha province (in the South may be), and Ninh Binh province (in Ninh Binh). 1996.11. 6: The original analysis of the North Pacific Province Rui piece _set_ to the North Province (in North Rui pieces), and Taiyuan, provincial (in Taiyuan); Analysis of the original _set_ to Bac Giang Province, Hebei Province (in the North River), and Bac Ninh province (in Bac Ninh); Analysis of the original _set_ to the south province of Nam Ha Dinh (in the South may be) and Henan (in the palace); Vinh Phuc Province, is _set_ to the original analysis of Vinh Phuc province (in Wing) and Phu Tho province (in the more pool); The former Quang Nam - Yan Hong Quang Nam Province Provincial analysis _set_ (in three-manifold) and municipalities, Yan Hong; Analysis of the former province of Hai Xing _set_ to Hai Duong Province (in Hai Duong) and Hung Yen provinces (in Larix); Analysis of the original stream is _set_ to Binh Duong province (in soil dragon wood) peace blessing Province (in Lu Ning - now the capital of the East handsome); Analysis of the original Ming Hai province, Bac Lieu province is _set_ to (in Bac Lieu) and Ca Mau province (in Ca Mau). According to November 25, 2003 the 11th Congress of Vietnamese 4 次会议决议, Can Tho Province into the original Tho and Hau Giang provinces and municipalities (in Wei-Qing); Of the original Dole Dole province is divided into provinces (in the U.S. state of Shu) and Dak Nong provinces (in Chiayi); Laizhou Laizhou province of the former is divided into provinces (in Laizhou) and Dien Bien provinces (in Dien Bien Phu.) After the addition of three provinces and cities, provinces and municipalities directly under the Government of Vietnam over 64, including 59 provinces and municipalities 5.
