Facts about Vietnam

Facts

About Vietnam

The first image of Vietnam that visitors take home with them is the astounding beauty of the country's natural features. There is the Red River Delta of the northern region and the Mekong Delta of the southern. Along with the coastal region, you have a brilliant pattern of rice fields tended by Vietnamese women in rustic dress.

Vietnam's geography is diverse enough that can readily choose between days on some amazing beaches out on the coast or you can travel inland to traverse great mountains wreathed in dense tropical forests. Other than natural elements, you might simply enjoy the charm and simplicity of the traditional culture and people.

Best Time To Visit

You can visit Vietnam about any time during the year depending on where in the country you are going. The southern region has two seasons: the wet season from May to November (the wettest period lasting from June to August) and the dry season lasting from December to April. Heat and humidity are at their peak from the end of February through May. The central coast's wet season is from December to February while its dry season lasts from May to October. Keep in mind that highland areas will be substantially cooler and can dip down to freezing temperatures during the winter months. Finally, the northern region has two seasons: cool, damp winters that last from November to April and hot summers that last from May to October. Typhoons are possible between July and November and can affect the north and central regions of the country.

If you travel to Vietnam during late January and early February you may encounter complications from the Tet Festival which can determine availability of accommodations and other services.

Vietnam Facts

Full Name: Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Capital City: Hanoi (pop 3.5 million)
Area: 329,566 sq km/127,245 sq miles
Population: 81,624,700
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +7 ()
Languages: Vietnamese (official) English (other) Chinese (other) French (other) Russian (other)
Religion: Buddhism is the principal religion but there are also sizeable Taoist, Confucian, Hoa Hao, Cao Daists, Muslim and Christian minorities
Currency: Dong (D)
Electricity: 220V 50HzHz
Electric Plug Details: European plug with two circular metal pins; British-style plug with two flat blades and one flat grounding blade; Japanese-style plug with two parallel flat blades
Country Dialing Code: 84