General Information of Vietnam
Vietnamese language
Vietnamese, Vietnam's official language, is a tonal language that can be compared to Cambodia's official language, Khmer. With each syllable, there are six different tones that can be used, which change the definition and it often makes it difficult for foreigners to pick up the language. There are other languages spoken as well such as Chinese, Khmer, Cham and other languages spoken by tribes inhabiting the mountainous regions. Although there are some similarities to Southeast Asian languages, such as Chinese, Vietnamese is thought to be a separate language group, although a member of the Austro-Asiatic language family.
In written form, Vietnamese uses the Roman alphabet and accent marks to show tones. This system of writing called quoc ngu, was created by Catholic missionaries in the 17th century to translate the scriptures. Eventually this system, particularly after World War I, replaced one using Chinese characters (chu nom), which had been the unofficial written form used for centuries.
In written form, Vietnamese uses the Roman alphabet and accent marks to show tones. This system of writing called quoc ngu, was created by Catholic missionaries in the 17th century to translate the scriptures. Eventually this system, particularly after World War I, replaced one using Chinese characters (chu nom), which had been the unofficial written form used for centuries.
People of Vietnam
In 1998, Vietnam had a population of over 76,000,000 and of these most of them lived around the Red and Mekong deltas, where the population density is around 1000 people per sq km. The population is made up of mainly ethnic Vietnamese people (those whose ancestors moved to the area thousands of years before) who have settled in the lowlands, while the largest minority group consists of ethnic Chinese. The Chinese immigrants (those whose families settled in the area within the last few hundred years) have settled for the most part in cities and provincial towns and consist of around 2,000,000 total population.
In addition to the ethnic Chinese, there are other minorities that live in Vietnam namely the Khmer and the Cham, descendents of inhabitants who lived in central and southern Vietnam before the area was conquered by the Vietnamese. Another portion of the population is made up of tribal groups, who as a whole represent about 7% of Vietnam's entire population. Their ancestors came into Vietnam from other Asian countries. These tribes make up about 50 different language and ethnic groups and live mainly in the mountainous area around the Red River Delta and in the Central Highlands.
Although the different ethics groups get along for the most part, the Vietnamese tend to show antipathy towards the dominance ethnic Chinese have in the national economy. To further aggravate the situation, Vietnamese tend to be wary of China for their past domination in various parts of the country and take it out occasionally on the Chinese citizens of Vietnam.
In addition to the ethnic Chinese, there are other minorities that live in Vietnam namely the Khmer and the Cham, descendents of inhabitants who lived in central and southern Vietnam before the area was conquered by the Vietnamese. Another portion of the population is made up of tribal groups, who as a whole represent about 7% of Vietnam's entire population. Their ancestors came into Vietnam from other Asian countries. These tribes make up about 50 different language and ethnic groups and live mainly in the mountainous area around the Red River Delta and in the Central Highlands.
Although the different ethics groups get along for the most part, the Vietnamese tend to show antipathy towards the dominance ethnic Chinese have in the national economy. To further aggravate the situation, Vietnamese tend to be wary of China for their past domination in various parts of the country and take it out occasionally on the Chinese citizens of Vietnam.
Vietnam's Economy
Until recently, most of Vietnam's economy was based on it's agriculture, mainly it's rice. Even during French colonial rule, agriculture was important, although other crops were added for export such as coffee, tea, and rubber, among other things. It wasn't until 1954 when Vietnam was divided that the national economy was actively developed, for each government of course. The Communist North was a very centralized planned economy, while the South was pretty much a free-market economy with little government involvement.
When Vietnam was reunited in 1976, the North began expanding it's plan throughout the country. After they redeveloped their economic plan in 1986 to support a mixed economy (one that can function privately or with state control), Vietnam's economy has taken off. During the 1990's, their economy increased on average 8.6 percent a year and in spite of such economic growth, Vietnam's per capita income hasn't taken off but has remained at an annual low of $320. Vietnam realizes that it cannot do it on its own, it needs outside backing and investments to further advance in today's society. Industrialization is extremely important as is training and knowledge of various basic areas in modern society - banking knowledge, technology, and science to name a few.
When Vietnam was reunited in 1976, the North began expanding it's plan throughout the country. After they redeveloped their economic plan in 1986 to support a mixed economy (one that can function privately or with state control), Vietnam's economy has taken off. During the 1990's, their economy increased on average 8.6 percent a year and in spite of such economic growth, Vietnam's per capita income hasn't taken off but has remained at an annual low of $320. Vietnam realizes that it cannot do it on its own, it needs outside backing and investments to further advance in today's society. Industrialization is extremely important as is training and knowledge of various basic areas in modern society - banking knowledge, technology, and science to name a few.
Religion/Philosophy in Vietnam
With its many cultures, Vietnam has a variety of religions. Originally, Vietnam's three main religions were Taoism, Mahayana Buddhism and Confucianism, Buddhism being introduced first. Although Buddhism and Taoism were popular with the people, Confucianism became the recognized religion.
In modern Vietnam, Mahayana Buddhism has the largest following, although many are considered to be marginal followers. There has been an increase in the number of monks and nuns that join the monasteries, especially since 1989, when religious restrictions were lifted. There was a time when the monks protested against the dominance of Catholicism in Vietnam and they even burned themselves. When Christianity was brought into Vietnam, and after it's incredible success, Buddhism was restructured. Now Christianity (Catholicism) has it's second largest following for Southeast Asia in Vietnam, second probably to only the Philippines. There was a time of religious persecution, due to the overwhelming success and conversion rate of Christianity. Missionaries were forbidden
Even though Vietnam is a Communist country, the constitution allows for religious freedom, although those religions that are believed to be a threat to national security are suppressed
In modern Vietnam, Mahayana Buddhism has the largest following, although many are considered to be marginal followers. There has been an increase in the number of monks and nuns that join the monasteries, especially since 1989, when religious restrictions were lifted. There was a time when the monks protested against the dominance of Catholicism in Vietnam and they even burned themselves. When Christianity was brought into Vietnam, and after it's incredible success, Buddhism was restructured. Now Christianity (Catholicism) has it's second largest following for Southeast Asia in Vietnam, second probably to only the Philippines. There was a time of religious persecution, due to the overwhelming success and conversion rate of Christianity. Missionaries were forbidden
Even though Vietnam is a Communist country, the constitution allows for religious freedom, although those religions that are believed to be a threat to national security are suppressed
Vietnamese Food
Vietnamese food appears to be similar to Chinese, but there are subtle differences. Vietnamese foods tend to be spiced differently with fresh vegetables and herbs enhancing the flavor. With plentiful seafood to be found, such as lobster, crabs, shrimp and fish, it's no surprise that nuoc mam (a fish sauce) is a staple in Vietnamese food, whereas soy sauce is liberally used in other Asian countries.
Usually a bowl of soup (pho) is consumed in the morning, but is also eaten at lunch and dinner time. A meal usually consists of several courses served concurrently: meat or seafood, rice, noodles, egg dishes, vegetables, etc. Green tea is the beverage of choice and is available pretty much all the time.
Usually a bowl of soup (pho) is consumed in the morning, but is also eaten at lunch and dinner time. A meal usually consists of several courses served concurrently: meat or seafood, rice, noodles, egg dishes, vegetables, etc. Green tea is the beverage of choice and is available pretty much all the time.
Vietnam's geography
There are four geographic sections in Vietnam, ranging from rugged mountains to marshy fertile flatlands. Vietnam's "S" shape takes it from China, in the north, the the Gulf of Thailand in the south. In the north, there are mountains that extend up to 3.143 m at Fan Si Pan, the highest point in Vietnam; the east and southeast consists of the Red River Delta, an alluvial plain; south of this Delta is the Truong Son (Annam Highlands) which is considered to be the backbone of Vietnam. A plateau (Central Highlands) also occupies this area and can be found between Cambodia and the South China sea. The Mekong Delta is located in the southernmost portion of Vietnam and makes up a fertile, marshy flatland that goes from the Central Highlands (north of it) south to the mangrove swamps on the Ca Mau peninsula.
The Red River and the Mekong River are navigable in their entirety and are considered to be the two major rivers in Vietnam. To help prevent flooding in their deltas, a system of dikes and canals has been erected. This has helped improve farming in the Mekong Delta due to salt water flooding from the South China Sea, especially during the long, wet monsoon season.
Vietnam's climate is amazingly varied, but this is due to the vast range of latitudes and altitudes in the country. The average temperature in the north is about 81 degrees F (27 degrees C) and in the south a nice 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) and is generally humid. Two monsoons control the weather, one is considered to be a dry monsoon which occurs mainly in the north from about October/November to March. The other brings wet, warm weather to the entire country, with the exception of the mountainous areas, from April/May to October. July and August are considered to be the hottest and most humid months.
(Asian Info)
The Red River and the Mekong River are navigable in their entirety and are considered to be the two major rivers in Vietnam. To help prevent flooding in their deltas, a system of dikes and canals has been erected. This has helped improve farming in the Mekong Delta due to salt water flooding from the South China Sea, especially during the long, wet monsoon season.
Vietnam's climate is amazingly varied, but this is due to the vast range of latitudes and altitudes in the country. The average temperature in the north is about 81 degrees F (27 degrees C) and in the south a nice 70 degrees F (21 degrees C) and is generally humid. Two monsoons control the weather, one is considered to be a dry monsoon which occurs mainly in the north from about October/November to March. The other brings wet, warm weather to the entire country, with the exception of the mountainous areas, from April/May to October. July and August are considered to be the hottest and most humid months.
(Asian Info)
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