About Vietnam
The Land Of Diversity
Vietnam is an intriguing country busting with captivating natural beauty, exotic culture, ancient history and bustling cities. Many people still think of Vietnam through the lens of war but thirty-four years have passed and the country has long recovered. The highlands are lush and teaming with incredible wildlife, some of the most unique species in the world are native to Vietnam. In some remote areas you can still find larger species such as elephants, tigers, black bears, leopards, primates, and many more. There are large National Parks and magnificent marine coastal zones. The islands and beaches are among the finest in all of Southeast Asia and the cuisine is possibly the most delicious you will ever taste.
There is a lot that can be said about the beauty of Vietnam but the greatest asset the country has is a population of gracious, resourceful people.
Where is Vietnam
Vietnam is the most Eastern country on the Indochina Peninsular in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the North , Laos to the Northwest, Cambodia to the Southwest and South China Sea to the East. Shaped like an elongated 'S' it covers a surface area of 128 square miles – making it roughly the size of Italy.
The topography is incredibility diverse from souring mountains, fertile deltas, primeval forests and extensive coastline.
There are two delta regions at either end of the country – the Red River in the North and the Mekong in the South. These two regions are connected by a fertile strip of Highlands and the extensive Truong Son Range.
Vietnam has two great river systems: the Mekong in the south and the Red River in the north. Both have large delta plains that are subject to heavy seasonal flooding, and both are crossed by complex canal networks. Of the other rivers, the largest are the Ca and Ma, in the north, and the Dong Nai, in the south.
Climate - The hottest months are March through to May
The climate is as complex as the topography, although Vietnam lies entirely within the tropics the diverse range of latitude and altitude produces extreme climatic variation. North Vietnam has two basic seasons – cold, humid winter from November to April and warm wet summer for the other months of the year. Summer temperatures average around 22° C with occasional typhoons.
The northern provinces of Central Vietnam share the climate of the North, while the southern provinces share the tropical weather of the South which is generally warm. The hottest months are March through to May with temperatures rising to the low 30°C. This is also the dry season in the south, followed by the April to October monsoon season.
Vietnam is the second most populous country in South East Asia
With a population of over 86 million, Vietnam is the second most populous country in South East Asia, seventh in the Asia Pacific region and the twelfth most populous country in the World.
The main ethnic group is Vietnamese making up more than 85% The remaining 15% are various ethnic groups that include about 1.2 million Chinese.
The official language is Vietnamese which is spoken throughout the country, with dialects varying between the north, south and centre regions. English is common in larger cities and is taught in schools. The national script is called Quoc Ngu and was introduced by European colonists and utilizes the Roman alphabet.
Culture
Richness of Vietnam's origins is evident through it's culture, which is as fascinating as the country itself. The people have created an unique form of society which has emerged from a solid living environment and history dating back to the bronze age. The Vietnamese have maintained their heritage and traditions through great adversity of countless struggles and wars.
The prominent feature of the Vietnamese culture is that it was never assimilated by foreign cultures, it was able to utilize and localize the best of outside influence to enrich its own national cultural foundation. Modern Vietnam shows three overlapping layers : the age old local culture and traditions, the culture that mixed with those of China and other countries in the region and the culture that interacts with the West. These multi layers encompass every aspect of Vietnamese life.
Vietnamese language is exceptionally flexible and lyrical, and poetry plays a strong role in both literature and the performing arts. Folk art, which flourished before French colonization, has experienced a resurgence in beautiful woodcuts, village painting, and block printing. Vietnamese lacquer art, another traditional medium, is commonly held to be the most original and sophisticated in the world. Music, dance, and puppetry, including the uniquely Vietnamese water puppetry, are also mainstays of the country's culture.
Pagodas are found in every province 
Vietnamese architecture expresses a graceful aesthetic of natural balance and harmony that is evident in any of the country's vast number of historic temples and monasteries. The preeminent architectural form is the pagoda, a tower comprised of a series of stepped pyramidal structures and frequently adorned with lavish carvings and painted ornaments. It is said that the shape of the pagoda symbolizes the human desire to bridge the gap between the constraints of earthly existence and the perfection of heavenly forces.
Pagodas are found in every province of Vietnam. One of the most treasured is the Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue, founded in 1601 and completed more than two hundred years later. The pagoda was heavily damaged in 1943, and was fully renovated over a period of 30 years.
In North Vietnam, the pagodas that serve as the shrines and temples of the Son La mountains In South Vietnam, the Giac Lam Pagoda of Ho Chi Minh City is considered to be the city's oldest and is notable as well for its many richly-carved jack wood statues.
There are two types of Buddhism found in Vietnam
Buddhism and Catholicism are Vietnam's dominant religions along with other minority groups such as Hoa Hao and Cao Dai. Protestantism and Islam. The majority of Vietnamese people classify themselves as non-religious, although they visit religious temples several times every year. Their everyday behaviours and attitudes are largely dictated by history, culture and philosophies which can be traced from many religions, especially Mahayana Buddhism, Confucianism and Daoism. These three religions are called the “triple religion” or tam giao and have been co-existing in the country for centuries.
There are many religions recognized in Vietnam, however Buddhism is the most popular. Approximately 85% of Vietnamese identify with Buddhism even though they do not practice on a regular basis.
There are two types of Buddhism found in Vietnam, Mahayana Buddhism and Theravana. Mahayana Buddhism first spread from China to Vietnam's Red River Delta region around 300 BC and remains popularly followed throughout the whole country, whereas Theravada Buddhism arrived from India into the southern Mekong Delta region between 300-600 AD and remains commonly adhered to in only the south delta area of Vietnam.
Catholicism first entered Vietnam through Catholic Missionaries in the 16th century and strengthened its influence when Vietnam was a French colony. The French encouraged the spread of the religion as they thought it balanced Buddhism and supported Western culture.
Cao Dai and Hoa Hao are minority religions in Vietnam. Cao Dai is a type of reformed Buddhism with principles taken from Confucianism, Taoism and Christianity that became popular in the rural regions of the southern delta area. Hoa Hao is related closer to traditional Buddhism and became popular in the southern most areas of the delta.
January 6, 1946, marked the first general election which was held to elect the National Assembly, the supreme organ of power of the new Vietnam.........Read more
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