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AsiaSE>Vietnam> Introduction
V I E T N A M |
| The
word `Vietnam’ means `the Viet people in the south’- a fitting term for the
country that occupies the southern part of Eastern Asia. Vietnam remained for many years a
country associated with bloodshed and strife- the Vietnam War is still etched in many
minds, especially American and Vietnamese. The aftermath of the war is still evident in
the poverty and underdevelopment; in the number of amputees and in the faces of the
children of mixed American -Vietnamese parentage. |
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| The present has been kinder to Vietnam than the past ever
was – the socialist government is easing its hold over the economy, allowing an
increasing level of interaction with foreign investors and making efforts to heal the
wounds of war with the Americans. But there’s more to Vietnam than blood and gore,
war and wounds. |
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There are beautiful mountains, lovely quiet beaches, a rich
cultural heritage, and the wonderful old-world charm of colonial cities like Hanoi. This
is the country with a wonderful cuisine; this is the country that produces beautiful
handicrafts including some of the best embroidery and lacquer ware in South Asia. Vietnam
is well worth a visit- it may not be the hottest tourist destination in South East Asia,
but it has a uniqueness that makes it a must-see for anyone who’s interested in the
Orient. |
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F A C
T B O X |
| Full Country Name |
Socialist
Republic of Vietnam |
| Area |
329,566
sq km |
| Capital City |
Hanoi |
| People |
85%
ethnic Vietnamese, 3% ethnic Chinese, minorities include Khmers, Chams and other ethnic
groups |
| Population |
75
million |
| Language |
Vietnamese,
Russian, French, English, local dialects |
Religion |
Buddhist;
Christian, Muslim,Taoist, Confucian and other minorities |
| Government |
Communist
People’s Republic |
| Head Of State |
President
Tran Duc Luong |
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