Vietnam

Vietnam

GEOGRAPHY

Vietnam lies on the eastern seaboard of the Indochina peninsula, bordering China to the north and Lao and Cambodia to the west. To the east and the south lies the South China Sea, which the Vietnamese call the East Sea. Mountains and hills cover four-fifths of Vietnam’s territory with the Truong Son range stretching over 1,400 km. Mount Fansipan (3,142 m) is the highest peak in Southeast Asia.

The most populated areas in Vietnam are the Red River Delta and the Mekong Delta, which form around Vietnam’s two largest rivers. The Mekong is the 10th largest river in the world, at about 4,909 km in length. Vietnam’s 3,444 km coastline features beautiful beaches like Tra Co, Lang Co, Nha Trang, Vung Tau and Ha Tien. National parks include Ba Vi, Cat Ba and Cuc Phuong in the north, Bach Ma in the centre and Cat Tien in the south.

HISTORY

Vietnam’s history can be divided into six periods:
- Prehistory: According to Vietnamese legend, Vietnamese history dates back over 4,000 years. In the third century BC, King An Duong named Vietnam “Au Lac” and ruled for fifty years.
- Chinese Occupation: Vietnam was occupied by China from 111 BC to the early 10th century.
- Monarchy: Local kings ruled the area from 939 to 1860 AD.
- French Colonialism: French colonisation lasted until the 1945 revolution, when the Geneva Accords partitioned Vietnam in two.
- American War: Vietnam battled America from 1959 until April 30, 1975.
- Independence: From 1975 until now, Vietnam has been a free nation working towards development and success.

RELIGIONS

Major spiritual influences in Vietnam include Buddhism, Confucianism, and Ancestor Worship. Christianity arrived in the late 18th century and now has the second largest religious following, after Buddhism. Other religions practised include Islam and Cao Dai, with concentrations in the south.