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Hotels
in Vietnam - Choose Your Destination
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Can
Tho |
Chua
Doc |
Dalat |
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Haiphong |
Halong |
Hanoi |
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Hoian |
Hue |
Long
Hai |
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Ninh
Binh |
Phan
Thiet |
Phu
Quoc Island |
Sapa |
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Vung
Tau |
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Geography
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam, a sovereign
and reunified independent country, has a high
percentage of territorial waters. Looking at the
map, Vietnam is located in the center of the Southeast
Asia, and is shaped like the letter "S".
The country lies in the eastern part of the Indochina
peninsula, bordered by China to the north, Laos
and Cambodia to the west, and the East Sea and
Pacific Ocean to the southeast. Vietnam's coast
line is 3,260 km long and its inland border measures
3,730 km.
The country's total length, from the northernmost
point to the southernmost point, is 1,650 km.
Its width, stretching from east to west, is 600
km at the widest point in the north, 400 km in
the south, and 50 km at the narrowest part in
the Quang Binh province on the central coast.
Vietnam is also a transport junction from the
Indian Ocean to the Pacific Ocean.
Climate
 Vietnam
is located in both a tropical and a temperate
zone. It is characterized by strong monsoon influences,
but has a considerable amount of sun, a high rate
of rainfall, and high humidity. Regions located
near the tropics and in the mountainous regions
are endowed with a temperate climate.
The annual average temperature ranges from 22?C
to 27?C. In Hanoi, the average temperature is
23?C, in Ho Chi Minh City it is 26?C, and in Hue
it is 25?C.
There are two distinguishable seasons. The cold
season occurs from November to April and the hot
season from May to October. The difference in
temperature between the two seasons in southern
Vietnam is almost unnoticeable, averaging 3?C.
The most noticeable variations are found in the
northern provinces where differences of 12?C have
been observed. There are essentially four distinct
seasons, which are most evident in the northern
provinces.
Religion
The major religious traditions in Vietnam are
Buddhism (which fuses forms of Taoism and Confusianism),
Christianity (Catholicism and Protestantism),
Islam, Cao Daism and the Hoa Hao sect.
Buddhism
 Buddhism
was first introduced to Vietnam in the 4th century
B.C., and reached its peak in the Ly dynasty (11th
century). It was then regarded as the official
religion dominating court affairs. Buddhism was
preached broadly among the population and it enjoyed
a profound influence on people's daily life. Its
influence also left marks in various areas of
traditional literature and architecture. As such,
many pagodas and temples were built during this
time.
At the end of the 14th century, Buddhism began
to show signs of decline. The ideological influence
of Buddhism, however, remained very strong in
social and cultural life. Presenty, over 70 percent
of the population of Vietnam are either Buddhist
or strongly influenced by Buddhist practices.
Catholicism
 Catholicism
was introduced to Vietnam in the 17th century.
At present the most densely-populated Catholic
areas are Bui Chu-Phat Diem in the northern province
of Ninh Binh and Ho Nai-Bien Hoa in Dong Nai province
to the South. About 10 percent of the population
are considered Catholic.
Protestantism
Protestantism was introduced to Vietnam at about
the same time as Catholicism. Protestantism, however,
remains an obscure religion. At present most Protestants
live in the Central Highlands. There still remains
a Protestant church on Hang Da Street in Hanoi.
The number of Protestants living in Vietnam is
estimated at 400,000.
Islamic
Islamic followers in Vietnam are primarily
from the Cham ethnic minority group living in
the central part of the central coast. The number
of Islamic followers in Vietnam totals about 50,000.
Caodaism
Caodaism was first introduced to the country in
1926. Settlements of the Cao Dai followers in
South Vietnam are located near the the Church
in Tay Ninh. The number of followers of this sect
is estimated at 2 million.
People and Culture
 The
Vietnamese nation was primarily influenced through
a process of anthropological cross-pollination
between ancient Chinese and Indian cultures.
As far as anthropology is concerned, the Vietnamese
people have their origin in the Mongoloid race,
which is scattered throughout northern and eastern
Asia.
 At
present, there are about 54 Ethnic minority groups
inhabiting Vietnam.The Kinh (or Viet) people account
for nearly 90 percent of Vietnam's total population.
Major ethnic minority groups include the Tay,
Thai, Muong, H'Mong, Dao, and Khmer. Each ethnic
group has developed its own language and cultural
identity, thus making the Vietnamese culture a
well blended combination of different cultures.The
Viet language is recognized, however, as the official
language and serves as a universal means of communication
for all inhabitants of Vietnam. In the historical
course of national development, all ethnic groups
have been closely attached, sharing in the fight
against foreign invaders, defending the country's
territory, and gaining the right to national independence
and self determination |
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