Vietnam
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At a glance
- Region
- South-Eastern Asia
- Capital
- Hanoi
- Population
- 101.6 million (2025)
- Area
- 331,212 km²
- Languages
- Vietnamese
- Currency
- Vietnamese đồng (VND)
- Drives on the
- right
- Calling code
- +84
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Before you go
Overview
Vietnam is located in Southeast Asia.
The country recorded a population of 95.54 million in 2018. It covers an area of 331,210 km2.
The capital city is Hanoi and it is the second-largest most populous city in the country. The city still preserves the buildings and pagodas built during the colonial period. The city is also the home to the sepulchre of former Communist leader Ho Chin Minh.
The largest city in the country in Ho Chi Minh and it also has landmark architecture built during the French colonial rule like the Central Post Office.
Red River, Hanoi.
History
Indochina was colonized by France between 1859 and 1883 before the Chinese took over. Japan then took over from China in 1940.
Ho Chin Minh declared the country independent in 1945 and instituted the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.
Food & culture
Vietnamese culture is grounded on the Chinese culture.
The crops grown include rice, sugarcane, cassava, corn, sweet potatoes and nuts.
Wildlife
The most common wild animals are buffalos, crocodiles, monkeys, bears, tigers, leopards and monkeys.
Festivals & events
Tet Nguyen Dan is a Vietnamese New Year festival.
Wandering Souls Day is a Buddhist festival same as All Soul’s Day of the Christian religion.
Buddha’s birthday is also a common festival in the country.
Things to see
Notre-Dame de Paris is an ancient catholic church built by the French in dedication to the Virgin Mary. It was made with materials all imported from France.
Ha Long bay is a tourist attraction site with limestone islands in the rainforest where activities like boat riding, scuba diving, rock climbing and hiking are popular.
Phu Quoc has white sea-sand beaches and resorts along the coast. Hoi An is also one of the beautiful sea regions to visit. It is also a trading port.
Phu Quoc National Park is home to a variety of wildlife.
Ba Na Hills – A resort built especially for Instagram
Interesting facts
The three most popular religions are Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.
The country’s official language is Vietnamese.
City guides
- HanoiCapital city
- Da NangBeach city of central Vietnam
- Ho Chi Minh CityVietnam's dynamic southern metropolis
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Vietnam
0 of 9 visited. See every site I've been to.
- Citadel of the Hồ Dynasty 2011
- Complex of Huế Monuments 1993
- Ha Long Bay 1994
- Hội An 1999
- Imperial Citadel of Thang Long 2010
- Mỹ Sơn 1999
- Phong Nha–Ke Bang National Park 2003
- The Complex of Yen Tu Monuments and Landscape 2025
- Tràng An 2014
Plan your trip to Vietnam
- HotelsBooking.com
- Tours and ticketsGetYourGuide
- FlightsKiwi.com
- Attraction ticketsTiqets
- Airport parking, lounges and transfersHoliday Extras
- Car hireAuto Europe
- Mobile data (eSIM)AiraloCode DAN9406 for money off
- GuidebooksAmazon
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