Vietnam - VN - VNM - VIE - East and Southeast Asia
Vietnam Images
Waterfront restaurant scene at the port city of Hoi An.
This low-oblique photograph shows the lower Mekong River and its vast delta. Rising on the Plateau of Tibet, the Mekong flows generally southeast for 4,160 km (2,600 mi) and empties into the South China Sea through the large delta. The vast, swampy delta, crisscrossed by many channels and canals, is one of the greatest rice-growing regions of Asia. Barely discernible northeast of the delta is Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. Point Cau Mau, the southern tip of Vietnam, is visible southeast of the delta. Image courtesy of NASA.
![View of Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) from the Saigon River. Saigon is Vietnam's major port and, with 8 million inhabitants, its largest city. It was called Saigon until 1975 when it was renamed Ho Chi Minh City following its capture by North Vietnamese communist forces. Although the city's commercial core is officially called Saigon, the entire city is widely referred to as Saigon even in the North. The city was architecturally influenced by the French during their colonial occupation of Vietnam. Numerous classical Western-style building in the city reflect this, so much so that Saigon was referred to as "The Pearl of the Far East" or "Paris in the Orient." In more recent years, a building boom has transformed the skyline of the city.](https://dev.me/media/factbook/vm/VM_010_large.jpg "View of Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) from the Saigon River. Saigon is Vietnam's major port and, with 8 million inhabitants, its largest city. It was called Saigon until 1975 when it was renamed Ho Chi Minh City following its capture by North Vietnamese communist forces. Although the city's commercial core is officially called Saigon, the entire city is widely referred to as Saigon even in the North. The city was architecturally influenced by the French during their colonial occupation of Vietnam. Numerous classical Western-style building in the city reflect this, so much so that Saigon was referred to as "The Pearl of the Far East" or "Paris in the Orient." In more recent years, a building boom has transformed the skyline of the city.")
View of Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) from the Saigon River. Saigon is Vietnam's major port and, with 8 million inhabitants, its largest city. It was called Saigon until 1975 when it was renamed Ho Chi Minh City following its capture by North Vietnamese communist forces. Although the city's commercial core is officially called Saigon, the entire city is widely referred to as Saigon even in the North. The city was architecturally influenced by the French during their colonial occupation of Vietnam. Numerous classical Western-style building in the city reflect this, so much so that Saigon was referred to as "The Pearl of the Far East" or "Paris in the Orient." In more recent years, a building boom has transformed the skyline of the city.
![View of Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) from the Saigon River. Saigon is Vietnam's major port and, with 8 million inhabitants, its largest city. It was called Saigon until 1975 when it was renamed Ho Chi Minh City following its capture by North Vietnamese communist forces. Although the city's commercial core is officially called Saigon, the entire city is widely referred to as Saigon even in the North. The city was architecturally influenced by the French during their colonial occupation of Vietnam. Numerous classical Western-style building in the city reflect this, so much so that Saigon was referred to as "The Pearl of the Far East" or "Paris in the Orient." In more recent years, a building boom has transformed the skyline of the city.](https://dev.me/media/factbook/vm/VM_018_large.jpg "View of Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) from the Saigon River. Saigon is Vietnam's major port and, with 8 million inhabitants, its largest city. It was called Saigon until 1975 when it was renamed Ho Chi Minh City following its capture by North Vietnamese communist forces. Although the city's commercial core is officially called Saigon, the entire city is widely referred to as Saigon even in the North. The city was architecturally influenced by the French during their colonial occupation of Vietnam. Numerous classical Western-style building in the city reflect this, so much so that Saigon was referred to as "The Pearl of the Far East" or "Paris in the Orient." In more recent years, a building boom has transformed the skyline of the city.")
View of Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) from the Saigon River. Saigon is Vietnam's major port and, with 8 million inhabitants, its largest city. It was called Saigon until 1975 when it was renamed Ho Chi Minh City following its capture by North Vietnamese communist forces. Although the city's commercial core is officially called Saigon, the entire city is widely referred to as Saigon even in the North. The city was architecturally influenced by the French during their colonial occupation of Vietnam. Numerous classical Western-style building in the city reflect this, so much so that Saigon was referred to as "The Pearl of the Far East" or "Paris in the Orient." In more recent years, a building boom has transformed the skyline of the city.
![View of Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) from the Saigon River. Saigon is Vietnam's major port and, with 8 million inhabitants, its largest city. It was called Saigon until 1975 when it was renamed Ho Chi Minh City following its capture by North Vietnamese communist forces. Although the city's commercial core is officially called Saigon, the entire city is widely referred to as Saigon even in the North. The city was architecturally influenced by the French during their colonial occupation of Vietnam. Numerous classical Western-style building in the city reflect this, so much so that Saigon was referred to as "The Pearl of the Far East" or "Paris in the Orient." In more recent years, a building boom has transformed the skyline of the city.](https://dev.me/media/factbook/vm/VM_021_large.jpg "View of Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) from the Saigon River. Saigon is Vietnam's major port and, with 8 million inhabitants, its largest city. It was called Saigon until 1975 when it was renamed Ho Chi Minh City following its capture by North Vietnamese communist forces. Although the city's commercial core is officially called Saigon, the entire city is widely referred to as Saigon even in the North. The city was architecturally influenced by the French during their colonial occupation of Vietnam. Numerous classical Western-style building in the city reflect this, so much so that Saigon was referred to as "The Pearl of the Far East" or "Paris in the Orient." In more recent years, a building boom has transformed the skyline of the city.")
View of Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) from the Saigon River. Saigon is Vietnam's major port and, with 8 million inhabitants, its largest city. It was called Saigon until 1975 when it was renamed Ho Chi Minh City following its capture by North Vietnamese communist forces. Although the city's commercial core is officially called Saigon, the entire city is widely referred to as Saigon even in the North. The city was architecturally influenced by the French during their colonial occupation of Vietnam. Numerous classical Western-style building in the city reflect this, so much so that Saigon was referred to as "The Pearl of the Far East" or "Paris in the Orient." In more recent years, a building boom has transformed the skyline of the city.
A small flotilla of boats on the Saigon River, which serves as the main water source for the port of Saigon.
Notre Dame Cathedral in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) was built by French colonists from 1877 to 1880. The neo-Romanesque structure was constructed using stained-glass windows imported from Chartres and bricks from Marseilles. Masses are conducted in Vietnamese and English.
The Central Post Office in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam, was built during the period of French control, originally erected in the 1860s using Gustave Eiffel’s design and reconstructed in its current form between 1886 and 1891 by architect Auguste Vildieu. The post office is a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and French colonial styles with Asian decorations. On January 13, 1863, the post office opened to the public and issued its first stamp. The Post Office is one of the city’s oldest buildings and one of the most- famous and iconic attractions in Saigon.
The Central Post Office in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) was built between 1886 and 1891 and is one of the oldest buildings in the city. Designed by Gustave Eiffel, it is still in operation. The interior has remained essentially untouched since its construction.
The Central Post Office in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) was built between 1886 and 1891 and is one of the oldest buildings in the city. Designed by Gustave Eiffel, it is still in operation.
Reunification Palace in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). The palace was built between 1962 and 1966 on the site of the former Norodom Palace. It was the official headquarters and residence of the president of South Vietnam. The building was captured by North Vietnamese forces on 30 April 1975 and is now a museum with exhibits frozen in time from 1975.
Reception room in the Reunification Palace in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). The palace was built between 1962 and 1966 on the site of the former Norodom Palace. It was the official headquarters and residence of the president of South Vietnam. The building was captured by North Vietnamese forces on 30 April 1975 and is now a museum with exhibits frozen in time from 1975.
City Hall in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) was built in French colonial style between 1898 and 1908. Officially known as the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Building, the lovely structure is a working government building and is not open to the public.
Statue of Ho Chi Minh reading to a child in front of the City Hall in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). Built by the French between 1898 and 1908, the beautifully ornamented structure is officially known as the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Building and is not open to the public.
The Municipal Theater in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is also known as the Saigon Opera House. Built in 1897, it is a fine example of French colonial architecture. The building was used as the home of the Lower House of the Assembly of South Vietnam from 1956 to 1975. It functioned as a theater after that date and was restored in 1995.
The Hotel Continental in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) dates to 1880 and the French colonial period. During the Vietnam War, it became popular with journalists and US military personnel. The hotel closed in 1976 and reopened in 1986; it was refurbished during 1998-99.
![The Rex Hotel in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) was built in 1927 as a two-story auto dealership and garage complex. The building was renovated from 1959 to 1975 into a 100-room hotel with three movie theaters, a cafeteria, dance hall, and library. The hotel was made famous during the Vietnam War when it hosted the American military command's daily press conference dubbed by skeptical journalists as the "Five o'clock Follies." The rooftop bar was a well-known gathering spot for military officials and war correspondents.](https://dev.me/media/factbook/vm/VM_026_large.jpg "The Rex Hotel in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) was built in 1927 as a two-story auto dealership and garage complex. The building was renovated from 1959 to 1975 into a 100-room hotel with three movie theaters, a cafeteria, dance hall, and library. The hotel was made famous during the Vietnam War when it hosted the American military command's daily press conference dubbed by skeptical journalists as the "Five o'clock Follies." The rooftop bar was a well-known gathering spot for military officials and war correspondents.")
The Rex Hotel in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) was built in 1927 as a two-story auto dealership and garage complex. The building was renovated from 1959 to 1975 into a 100-room hotel with three movie theaters, a cafeteria, dance hall, and library. The hotel was made famous during the Vietnam War when it hosted the American military command's daily press conference dubbed by skeptical journalists as the "Five o'clock Follies." The rooftop bar was a well-known gathering spot for military officials and war correspondents.
Typical market in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), the buildings in the background are from the French colonial era.
The Giac Lam Pagoda in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) was built in 1774; it is a unique temple where Taoism and Confucianism merge with Buddhism. The pagoda compound includes ornate tombs, a rare bodhi tree, and a statue of Quan The Am Bo That, the Goddess of Mercy.
The Giac Lam Pagoda in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) was built in 1774; it is a unique temple where Taoism and Confucianism merge with Buddhism. The pagoda compound includes ornate tombs, a rare bodhi tree, and a statue of Quan The Am Bo That, the Goddess of Mercy.
The Giac Lam Pagoda in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) was built in 1774; it is a unique temple where Taoism and Confucianism merge with Buddhism. The pagoda compound includes ornate tombs, a rare bodhi tree, and a statue of Quan The Am Bo That, the Goddess of Mercy.
The Giac Lam Pagoda in Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) was built in 1774; it is a unique temple where Taoism and Confucianism merge with Buddhism. The pagoda compound includes ornate tombs, a rare bodhi tree, and a statue of Quan The Am Bo That, the Goddess of Mercy.
![Vinh Trang Pagoda near the city of My Tho. Known of the "Gateway to the Mekong Delta," My Tho, with a population in excess of 200,000, lies on the My Tho River, a branch of the Mekong River, 70 km (45 mi) south of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). First completed in 1851, the Vinh Trang temple has been reconstructed a number of times.](https://dev.me/media/factbook/vm/VM_033_large.jpg "Vinh Trang Pagoda near the city of My Tho. Known of the "Gateway to the Mekong Delta," My Tho, with a population in excess of 200,000, lies on the My Tho River, a branch of the Mekong River, 70 km (45 mi) south of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). First completed in 1851, the Vinh Trang temple has been reconstructed a number of times.")
Vinh Trang Pagoda near the city of My Tho. Known of the "Gateway to the Mekong Delta," My Tho, with a population in excess of 200,000, lies on the My Tho River, a branch of the Mekong River, 70 km (45 mi) south of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). First completed in 1851, the Vinh Trang temple has been reconstructed a number of times.
Laughing Buddha at the Vinh Trang Pagoda near the city of My Tho. First completed in 1851, the Vinh Trang temple has been reconstructed a number of times.
Reclining Buddha at Vinh Trang Pagoda near the city of My Tho. First completed in 1851, the Vinh Trang temple has been reconstructed a number of times.
![Shrine in the interior of the Vinh Trang Pagoda near the city of My Tho. Known of the "Gateway to the Mekong Delta," My Tho lies on the My Tho River, a branch of the Mekong River, 70 km (45 mi) south of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). First completed in 1851, the Vinh Trang temple has been reconstructed a number of times.](https://dev.me/media/factbook/vm/VM_030_large.jpg "Shrine in the interior of the Vinh Trang Pagoda near the city of My Tho. Known of the "Gateway to the Mekong Delta," My Tho lies on the My Tho River, a branch of the Mekong River, 70 km (45 mi) south of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). First completed in 1851, the Vinh Trang temple has been reconstructed a number of times.")
Shrine in the interior of the Vinh Trang Pagoda near the city of My Tho. Known of the "Gateway to the Mekong Delta," My Tho lies on the My Tho River, a branch of the Mekong River, 70 km (45 mi) south of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). First completed in 1851, the Vinh Trang temple has been reconstructed a number of times.
![Shrine in the interior of the Vinh Trang Pagoda near the city of My Tho. Known of the "Gateway to the Mekong Delta," My Tho lies on the My Tho River, a branch of the Mekong River, 70 km (45 mi) south of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). First completed in 1851, the Vinh Trang temple has been reconstructed a number of times.](https://dev.me/media/factbook/vm/VM_043_large.jpg "Shrine in the interior of the Vinh Trang Pagoda near the city of My Tho. Known of the "Gateway to the Mekong Delta," My Tho lies on the My Tho River, a branch of the Mekong River, 70 km (45 mi) south of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). First completed in 1851, the Vinh Trang temple has been reconstructed a number of times.")
Shrine in the interior of the Vinh Trang Pagoda near the city of My Tho. Known of the "Gateway to the Mekong Delta," My Tho lies on the My Tho River, a branch of the Mekong River, 70 km (45 mi) south of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City). First completed in 1851, the Vinh Trang temple has been reconstructed a number of times.
Canal ride on Thoi San Island (Unicorn Island) on the My Tho River near the city of My Tho. The My Tho River is a branch of the Mekong River.
Flag tower in Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. Located on the Perfume River in central Vietnam, Hue was the capital of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. A walled citadel, 2 km by 2 km, as well as a moat, surrounded the city. Inside the citadel was the Imperial City. Many of the buildings of the Imperial City were destroyed during the Vietnam War. Some reconstruction has begun.
Another view of the flag tower in the Citadel of Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam.
Main gates of the former Imperial City of Hue. Located on the Perfume River in central Vietnam, Hue was the capital of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. A walled citadel, 2 km by 2 km, as well as a moat, surrounded the city. Inside the citadel was the Imperial City. Many of the buildings of the Imperial City were destroyed during the Vietnam War. Some reconstruction has begun.
Some of the walls enclosing the Imperial City within the Citadel at Hue.
Figure on the grounds of the former Imperial City in Hue. Located on the Perfume River in central Vietnam, Hue was the capital of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. A walled citadel, 2 km by 2 km, as well as a moat, surrounded the city. Inside the citadel was the Imperial City. Many of the buildings of the Imperial City were destroyed during the Vietnam War. Some reconstruction has begun.
Pavilion on the grounds of the former Imperial City in Hue. Located on the Perfume River in central Vietnam, Hue was the capital of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. A walled citadel, 2 km by 2 km, as well as a moat, surrounded the city. Inside the citadel was the Imperial City. Many of the buildings of the Imperial City were destroyed during the Vietnam War. Some reconstruction has begun.
Gate leaving the grounds of the former Imperial City in Hue. Located on the Perfume River in central Vietnam, Hue was the capital of Vietnam from 1802 until 1945. A walled citadel, 2 km by 2 km, as well as a moat, surrounded the city. Inside the citadel was the Imperial City. Many of the buildings of the Imperial City were destroyed during the Vietnam War. Some reconstruction has begun.
Phuoc Duyen Tower, an octagonal seven-level pagoda situated in the Thien Mu Pagoda temple complex located in the city of Hue, Vietnam, is regarded as the country’s unofficial symbol. Located on the northern bank of the Perfume River, the seven-story brick pagoda, built in 1844, is 21 m (68 ft) high and is the tallest pagoda in Vietnam. Each level of the tower has a different Buddha statue.
A figure at the Thien Mu Pagoda in the city of Hue.
A figure at the Thien Mu Pagoda in the city of Hue.
The Xung Khiem Pavilion on Luu Khiem Lake at the Emperor Tu Doc Tomb in Hue. Tu Doc ruled Vietnam from 1848 to 1883; his tomb complex was built between 1864-67. Tu Doc lived at the luxurious complex after its construction along with his 100 wives and concubines.
The Khiem Cung Gate at the Emperor Tu Doc Tomb in Hue. Tu Doc ruled Vietnam from 1848 to 1883; his tomb complex was built between 1864-67. Tu Doc lived at the luxurious complex after its construction along with his 100 wives and concubines.
Stele in the pavilion just to the east of Emperor Tu Doc's Tomb in Hue. The stele bears Tu Doc's epitaph, which he composed himself because he never had a son. The stele is the largest of its type in Vietnam.
The Stele Pavilion is one of many structures comprising the imperial tomb of Emperor Tu Duc (reigned 1847-1883). Located approximately (8 km; 5 mi) from the former imperial capital of Hue, it contains a large stone tablet (stele) inscribed with the deeds of the emperor.
The Stele Pavilion outside the sepulchre of the Emperor Tu Doc in Hue.
Wall hiding the sepulchre of the Emperor Tu Doc in Hue.
False sepulchre at the Tomb of the Emperor Tu Doc in Hue. The actual remains of the emperor were buried at a secret site - still undiscovered - somewhere else in Hue.
The Cao Dai Temple, located in Tay Ninh.
Fishing boats along the coast of the South China Sea in Vinh Moc.
Low-hanging clouds threaten a deserted My Khe Beach (China Beach) near Da Nang.
Ha Long ("descending dragon") Bay in northern Vietnam, near the border with China, has an area of around 1,553 sq km (600 sq mi). Nearly all of its 1,969 islands and islets are made of limestone and many are topped with vegetation. Two larger islands, Tuần Châu and Cát Bà, are inhabited and have hotels and beaches for tourists, while the smaller islands have a number of beautiful beaches. Ha Long Bay is also home to four fishing villages, where the residents live on floating houses and are sustained through fishing and marine aquaculture. In 1994, the bay became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, one of eight in Vietnam.
Ha Long Bay includes a dense cluster of roughly 2,000, generally small limestone isles of various shapes and sizes, each covered with thick jungle vegetation. Several of the islands are hollow, with enormous caves.
![Limestone islands in Ha Long Bay in northern Vietnam. Many islands have acquired names because of their unusual shapes. These are called "Fighting Cock" islands.](https://dev.me/media/factbook/vm/VM_049_large.jpg "Limestone islands in Ha Long Bay in northern Vietnam. Many islands have acquired names because of their unusual shapes. These are called "Fighting Cock" islands.")
Limestone islands in Ha Long Bay in northern Vietnam. Many islands have acquired names because of their unusual shapes. These are called "Fighting Cock" islands.
Sunset over Cat Ba, a large island that forms the southwestern boundary of Lan Ha Bay. Most of the island is a national park.
Cat Ba Island has a wide variety of natural ecosystems, both marine and terrestrial, leading to incredibly high rates of biodiversity. While most of the interior is a national park, much of the island's coast has been converted to resorts.
Lying south and east of Cat Ba Island, the roughly 300 karst islands and limestone outcrops of Lan Ha Bay are just as beautiful as those of Halong Bay but feel more untouched. They have the additional attraction of numerous white-sand beaches.
A view of some of the myriad small isles in La Han Bay.
Ba Dinh Square in front of Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi.
The Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum on Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi. Completed in 1975, it contains the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh.
The Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh in Hanoi.
Outdoor office used by Ho Chi Minh, on display in the Presidential Palace area near Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi.
A portion of the outdoor office used by Ho Chi Minh on display in the Presidential Palace area near Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi.
Meeting room in the outdoor office used by Ho Chi Minh on display in the Presidential Palace area near Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi. The soldier on the right is a member of the National Guard Force, which was founded by Ho Chi Minh in 1953.
The Presidential Palace in Hanoi.
Gateway to the Temple of Literature in Hanoi. The temple was built in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong in honor of the Chinese philosopher Confucius.
Buddha in the Temple of Literature in Hanoi. The temple was built in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong in honor of the Chinese philosopher Confucius.
Buddha in the Temple of Literature in Hanoi. The temple was built in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong in honor of the Chinese philosopher Confucius.
![Entrance to the Maison Centrale or Central Prison in Hanoi. Built by the French beginning in 1886, it was used to imprison Vietnamese political prisoners and later by the Vietnamese to hold mostly US pilots during the Vietnamese War. It was referred to sarcastically as the "Hanoi Hilton" by US POWs and later in the US press. The prison was torn down in the mid-1990s and only the Gate House remains.](https://dev.me/media/factbook/vm/VM_045_large.jpg "Entrance to the Maison Centrale or Central Prison in Hanoi. Built by the French beginning in 1886, it was used to imprison Vietnamese political prisoners and later by the Vietnamese to hold mostly US pilots during the Vietnamese War. It was referred to sarcastically as the "Hanoi Hilton" by US POWs and later in the US press. The prison was torn down in the mid-1990s and only the Gate House remains.")
Entrance to the Maison Centrale or Central Prison in Hanoi. Built by the French beginning in 1886, it was used to imprison Vietnamese political prisoners and later by the Vietnamese to hold mostly US pilots during the Vietnamese War. It was referred to sarcastically as the "Hanoi Hilton" by US POWs and later in the US press. The prison was torn down in the mid-1990s and only the Gate House remains.
![Exhibit showing how political prisoners were punished in the Maison Centrale or Central Prison in Hanoi. Built by the French beginning in 1886, it was used to imprison Vietnamese political prisoners and later by the Vietnamese to hold mostly US pilots during the Vietnamese War. It was referred to sarcastically as the "Hanoi Hilton" by US POWs and later in the US press. The prison was torn down in the mid-1990s and only the Gate House remains.](https://dev.me/media/factbook/vm/VM_061_large.jpg "Exhibit showing how political prisoners were punished in the Maison Centrale or Central Prison in Hanoi. Built by the French beginning in 1886, it was used to imprison Vietnamese political prisoners and later by the Vietnamese to hold mostly US pilots during the Vietnamese War. It was referred to sarcastically as the "Hanoi Hilton" by US POWs and later in the US press. The prison was torn down in the mid-1990s and only the Gate House remains.")
Exhibit showing how political prisoners were punished in the Maison Centrale or Central Prison in Hanoi. Built by the French beginning in 1886, it was used to imprison Vietnamese political prisoners and later by the Vietnamese to hold mostly US pilots during the Vietnamese War. It was referred to sarcastically as the "Hanoi Hilton" by US POWs and later in the US press. The prison was torn down in the mid-1990s and only the Gate House remains.
![Guillotine used to execute prisoners in the Maison Centrale or Central Prison in Hanoi. Built by the French beginning in 1886, it was used to imprison Vietnamese political prisoners and later by the Vietnamese to hold mostly US pilots during the Vietnamese War. It was referred to sarcastically as the "Hanoi Hilton" by US POWs and later in the US press. The prison was torn down in the mid-1990s and only the Gate House remains.](https://dev.me/media/factbook/vm/VM_060_large.jpg "Guillotine used to execute prisoners in the Maison Centrale or Central Prison in Hanoi. Built by the French beginning in 1886, it was used to imprison Vietnamese political prisoners and later by the Vietnamese to hold mostly US pilots during the Vietnamese War. It was referred to sarcastically as the "Hanoi Hilton" by US POWs and later in the US press. The prison was torn down in the mid-1990s and only the Gate House remains.")
Guillotine used to execute prisoners in the Maison Centrale or Central Prison in Hanoi. Built by the French beginning in 1886, it was used to imprison Vietnamese political prisoners and later by the Vietnamese to hold mostly US pilots during the Vietnamese War. It was referred to sarcastically as the "Hanoi Hilton" by US POWs and later in the US press. The prison was torn down in the mid-1990s and only the Gate House remains.
Footbridge over Hoan Kiem Lake in the center of Hanoi.
Street view in Hanoi.
Street-level view of traffic in Hanoi.
Aerial view of a residential district in Hanoi.
The Thach Han River winds through central Vietnam.
View of the Thach Han River as it winds through the hilly countryside.
War monument in Khe Sanh, a district capital city in central Vietnam.
Countryside view along the AH-16 highway, the road between Dong Ha and Khe Sanh.
Another countryside view along the AH-16 highway.
Old Town Hoi An, the city's historic district, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Japanese Bridge in the Old Town is considered the symbol of the city.
The Chinese Assembly Hall in the historic district (Old Town) of Hoi An. The area is recognized as an exceptionally well-preserved example of a Southeast Asian trading port dating to between the 15th-19th centuries; its buildings and street plan reflect a blend of indigenous and foreign influences.
Figurines in a courtyard in the Old Town of Hoi An. The area is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Waterfront restaurant scene at the port city of Hoi An.
This low-oblique photograph shows the lower Mekong River and its vast delta. Rising on the Plateau of Tibet, the Mekong flows generally southeast for 4,160 km (2,600 mi) and empties into the South China Sea through the large delta. The vast, swampy delta, crisscrossed by many channels and canals, is one of the greatest rice-growing regions of Asia. Barely discernible northeast of the delta is Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon. Point Cau Mau, the southern tip of Vietnam, is visible southeast of the delta. Image courtesy of NASA.
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Vietnam Factbook Data
Diplomatic representation from the US
embassy: 7 Lang Ha Street, Hanoi
mailing address: 4550 Hanoi Place, Washington, DC 20521-4550
telephone: [84] (24) 3850-5000
FAX: [84] (24) 3850-5010
email address and website:
ACShanoi@state.gov
https://vn.usembassy.gov/
consulate(s) general: Ho Chi Minh City
Age structure
15-64 years: 68.69% (male 36,280,449/female 35,705,586)
65 years and over: 7.87% (2023 est.) (male 3,346,804/female 4,897,387)
For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page.
Geographic coordinates
Sex ratio
0-14 years: 1.12 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.68 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2023 est.)
Heliports
Natural hazards
Area - comparative
about three times the size of Tennessee; slightly larger than New Mexico
Military service age and obligation
Background
The Nguyen Dynasty would be the last Vietnamese dynasty before the conquest by France, which began in 1858 and was completed by 1884. Vietnam became part of French Indochina in 1887. It declared independence after World War II, but France continued to rule until its 1954 defeat by communist forces under Ho Chi MINH. Under the Geneva Accords of 1954, Vietnam was divided into the communist North and anti-communist South. Fighting erupted between the two governments shortly afterwards with the North supporting communist rebels in the South and eventually committing thousands of combat troops, while the US provided large amounts of economic and military assistance, including combat forces, to the South. The US military presence reached a peak strength of over 500,000 troops in 1968. US forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, North Vietnamese forces overran the South reuniting the country under communist rule. The conflict, known as the Second Indochina War (1955-1975), devastated the country, spilled over into the neighboring countries of Cambodia and Laos, and is estimated to have resulted in the deaths of up to 3 million Vietnamese civilians and soldiers. Despite the return of peace, for over a decade the country experienced little economic growth because of its diplomatic isolation, its conservative leadership policies, and the persecution and mass exodus of individuals, many of them successful South Vietnamese merchants. However, since the enactment of Vietnam's "doi moi" (renovation) policy in 1986, Vietnamese authorities have committed to increased economic liberalization and enacted structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries. Since implementation, the economy has seen strong growth, particularly in agricultural and industrial production, construction, exports, and foreign investment. Increased tourism has also become a key component of economic growth. Nevertheless, the Communist Party maintains tight political and social control of the country, and Vietnam faces considerable challenges including rising income inequality, corruption, inadequate social welfare, and a poor human rights record.
Since withdrawing its military occupation forces from Cambodia in the late 1980s and the end of Soviet aid by 1991, Vietnam has practiced a non-aligned foreign policy that emphasizes friendly ties with all members of the international community. Relatedly, Vietnam adheres to a security doctrine called the "Four Nos" (no alliances, no siding with one country against another, no foreign bases, and no using force in international relations). Despite longstanding tensions with Beijing regarding its expansive claims that overlap with Hanoi's own claimed maritime boundaries in the South China Sea, Vietnam puts a priority on stable relations with China, given its proximity, size, and status as Vietnam's largest trading partner.
Environment - current issues
Environment - international agreements
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Population below poverty line
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Household income or consumption by percentage share
highest 10%: 28.5% (2020 est.)
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Exports - commodities
Exports - partners
Administrative divisions
58 provinces (tinh, singular and plural) and 5 municipalities (thanh pho, singular and plural)
provinces: An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Dien Bien, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Ha Nam, Ha Tinh, Hai Duong, Hau Giang, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai
municipalities: Can Tho, Da Nang, Ha Noi (Hanoi), Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Agricultural products
Military and security forces
Vietnam People's Ministry of Public Security; Vietnam Civil Defense Force (2024)
note 1: the People's Public Security Ministry is responsible for internal security and controls the national police, a special national security investigative agency, and other internal security units, including specialized riot police regiments
note 2: the Vietnam Coast Guard was established in 1998 as the Vietnam Marine Police and renamed in 2013; Vietnam officially established a maritime self-defense force (civilian militia) in 2010 after the National Assembly passed the Law on Militia and Self-Defense Forces in 2009; the Vietnam Department of Fisheries Resources Surveillance (DFIRES; under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), established in 2013, is responsible for fisheries enforcement, aquatic conservation roles, and is designated as Vietnam's standing agency for combating illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing; it is armed, allowed to use force if necessary, and works in tandem with the Vietnam Coast Guard
Budget
expenditures: $75.834 billion (2019 est.)
Capital
geographic coordinates: 21 02 N, 105 51 E
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the city has had many names in its history going back to A.D. 1010 when it first became the capital of imperial Vietnam; in 1831, it received its current name of Ha Noi, meaning "between the rivers," which refers to its geographic location
Imports - commodities
Climate
Coastline
Constitution
amendments: proposed by the president, by the National Assembly’s Standing Committee, or by at least two thirds of the National Assembly membership; a decision to draft an amendment requires approval by at least a two-thirds majority vote of the Assembly membership, followed by the formation of a constitutional drafting committee to write a draft and collect citizens’ opinions; passage requires at least two-thirds majority of the Assembly membership; the Assembly can opt to conduct a referendum
Exchange rates
Exchange rates:
23,271.213 (2022 est.)
23,159.783 (2021 est.)
23,208.368 (2020 est.)
23,050.242 (2019 est.)
22,602.05 (2018 est.)
Executive branch
head of government: Prime Minister Pham Minh CHINH (since 26 July 2021)
cabinet: Cabinet proposed by the prime minister, confirmed by the National Assembly, and appointed by the president
elections/appointments: president indirectly elected by the National Assembly from among its members for a single 5-year term; prime minister recommended by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers confirmed by the National Assembly and appointed by the president
election results: 2023: Vo Van THUONG elected president
2021: Nguyen Xuan PHUC (CPV) elected president; Pham Minh CHINH (CPV) confirmed as prime minister
2016: NGUYEN Xuan PHUC (CPV) confirmed as prime minister
note: Nguyen Phu TRONG is the General Secretary of the Vietnam Communist Party
Fiscal year
Flag description
Illicit drugs
a transshipment and destination country for all types of illegal drugs; most transshipments destined for other Asian countries and not the United States; heroin transits from Thailand, Laos, and Burma for domestic use and shipping to r countries in Southeast Asia, Oceania, China and Taiwan; methamphetamine and amphetamine type stimulants from Burma locally consumed and shipped; South American cocaine locally consumed and distributed to Southeast Asia and Oceania
Independence
Industries
Judicial branch
judge selection and term of office: chief justice elected by the National Assembly upon the recommendation of the president for a 5-year, renewable term; deputy chief justice appointed by the president from among the judges for a 5-year term; judges appointed by the president and confirmed by the National Assembly for 5-year terms
subordinate courts: High Courts (administrative, civil, criminal, economic, labor, family, juvenile); provincial courts; district courts; Military Court; note - the National Assembly Standing Committee can establish special tribunals upon the recommendation of the chief justice
Land boundaries
border countries (3): Cambodia 1,158 km; China 1,297 km; Laos 2,161 km
Land use
arable land: 20.6% (2018 est.)
permanent crops: 12.1% (2018 est.)
permanent pasture: 2.1% (2018 est.)
forest: 45% (2018 est.)
other: 20.2% (2018 est.)
Legal system
Legislative branch
elections: last held on 23 May 2021 (next to be held in spring 2026)
election results:
percent of vote by party - CPV 97.2%, 2.8% non-party; seats by party - CPV 486, non-party 14; composition as of February 2024 - 342 men, 151 women; percent women 30.6%
Literacy
total population: 95.8%
male: 97%
female: 94.6% (2019)
Maritime claims
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
International organization participation
National holiday
Nationality
adjective: Vietnamese
Natural resources
Geography - note
note 2: Son Doong in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park is the world's largest cave (greatest cross sectional area) and is the largest known cave passage in the world by volume; it currently measures a total of 38.5 million cu m (about 1.35 billion cu ft); it connects to Thung cave (but not yet officially); when recognized, it will add an additional 1.6 million cu m in volume; Son Doong is so massive that it contains its own jungle, underground river, and localized weather system; clouds form inside the cave and spew out from its exits and two dolines (openings (sinkhole skylights) created by collapsed ceilings that allow sunlight to stream in)
Economic overview
Pipelines
Political parties and leaders
note: other parties proscribed
Ports and terminals
container port(s) (TEUs): Saigon (7,956,133), Cai Mep (5,385,289), Haiphong (5,695,839) (2021)
river port(s): Ho Chi Minh (Mekong)
Suffrage
Telecommunication systems
domestic: fixed-line is 3 per 100 and mobile-cellular is 140 per 100 (2021)
international: country code - 84; landing points for the SeaMeWe-3, APG, SJC2, AAE-1, AAG and the TGN-IA submarine cable system providing connectivity to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the US; telecom satellite earth stations - 2, (Vinasat 1 and Vinasat 2) (Indian Ocean region) (2023)
Terrain
Government type
Country name
conventional short form: Vietnam
local long form: Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam
local short form: Viet Nam
former: Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam), Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam)
abbreviation: SRV
etymology: "Viet nam" translates as "Viet south," where "Viet" is an ethnic self identification dating to a second century B.C. kingdom and "nam" refers to its location in relation to other Viet kingdoms
Location
Map references
Irrigated land
Diplomatic representation in the US
chancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 861-0737
FAX: [1] (202) 861-0917
email address and website:
vanphong@vietnamembassy.us
http://vietnamembassy-usa.org/
consulate(s) general: Houston, San Francisco
consulate(s): New York
Internet country code
Major infectious diseases
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, and sexually transmitted diseases: hepatitis B (2024)
note: On 20 September 2023, the CDC issued a travel notice for an outbreak of diphtheria in several provinces in Vietnam (see attached map); vaccination against diphtheria is essential to protect against disease; if you are traveling to an affected area, you should be up to date with your diphtheria vaccines; Diphtheria is a serious infection caused by strains of bacteria called Corynebacterium diphtheriae that make a toxin; Diphtheria bacteria spread from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets, like from coughing or sneezing
Refugees and internally displaced persons
GDP (official exchange rate)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Credit ratings
Moody's rating: Ba3 (2018)
Standard & Poors rating: BB (2019)
note: The year refers to the year in which the current credit rating was first obtained.
Total renewable water resources
Urbanization
rate of urbanization: 2.7% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Broadcast media
Drinking water source
rural: 95.5% of population
total: 96.9% of population
unimproved: urban: 0.8% of population
rural: 4.5% of population
total: 3.1% of population (2020 est.)
National anthem
lyrics/music: Nguyen Van CAO
note: adopted as the national anthem of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945; it became the national anthem of the unified Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976; although it consists of two verses, only the first is used as the official anthem
Major urban areas - population
International law organization participation
Physicians density
Hospital bed density
National symbol(s)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
GDP - composition, by end use
government consumption: 6.5% (2017 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 24.2% (2017 est.)
investment in inventories: 2.8% (2017 est.)
exports of goods and services: 100% (2017 est.)
imports of goods and services: -101% (2017 est.)
Dependency ratios
youth dependency ratio: 32.8
elderly dependency ratio: 12.7
potential support ratio: 7.8 (2021 est.)
Citizenship
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Vietnam
dual citizenship recognized: no
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Population distribution
Electricity access
National air transport system
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 224
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 47,049,671 (2018)
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 481.37 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
Sanitation facility access
rural: 90% of population
total: 93.3% of population
unimproved: urban: 1.3% of population
rural: 10% of population
total: 6.7% of population (2020 est.)
Ethnic groups
note: 54 ethnic groups are recognized by the Vietnamese Government
Religions
note: most Vietnamese are culturally Buddhist
Languages
major-language sample(s):
Dữ kiện thế giới, là nguồn thông tin cơ bản không thể thiếu. (Vietnamese)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Imports - partners
Disputes - international
Vietnam-Cambodia: Cambodia accuses Vietnam of a wide variety of illicit cross-border activities; issues include casinos built in Cambodia near the border, narcotics trafficking, trafficking of women and children, petrol smuggling, illegal timber trade, and illegal migration; progress on a joint development area with Cambodia is hampered by an unresolved dispute over sovereignty of offshore islands; in December 2021, leaders from the two countries agreed to fully complete the remaining border demarcation and the upgrading of border checkpoints
Vietnam-Cambodia-Laos: Cambodia and Laos protest Vietnamese squatters and armed encroachments along border; Cambodia accuses Vietnam of a wide variety of illicit cross-border activities
Vietnam-China: an estimated 300,000 Vietnamese refugees reside in China; the decade-long demarcation of the China-Vietnam land boundary was completed in 2009; small territorial exchanges were made during the demarcation; cross border trafficking in women and children and illegal wildlife trade are problems along this border; China occupies features in the Spratly and Paracel Islands claimed by Vietnam
Elevation
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 398 m
Current health expenditure
Military - note
the PAVN is one of the region’s largest militaries and has participated in numerous conflicts since its founding in the mid-1940s, including the First (1946-54) and Second (1950s-1975) Indochina Wars, the Cambodian-Vietnamese War (1978-1989), and the Sino-Vietnamese War (1979); the PAVN’s current missions include protecting the country's independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national interests; in recent years, it has increased focus on protecting the country’s maritime economy and sovereignty; it also assists with natural disasters and is involved in economic projects, including electrical infrastructure, oil and gas services, hydroelectric projects, aviation and seaport services, telecommunications, and the shipbuilding industry, while military-owned factories and enterprises produce weapons and equipment; the Ground Forces are spread throughout the country in approximately eight regional commands, four operational corps, and dozens of divisions and brigades, including some that are maintained at cadre strength and filled in wartime by an estimated five million reserves; the Navy is organized into five regional commands; in recent years, it has received increased government focus for procurement efforts because of the rise in territorial disputes in the South China Sea and has a growing combat force of about 20 frigates, corvettes, and fast-attack surface vessels, plus six attack submarines; the Air Force is organized into divisions, regiments, and squadrons; it has a mix of approximately 75 Soviet-era and Russian-made combat aircraft (2023)
Military and security service personnel strengths
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
Military deployments
Total water withdrawal
industrial: 3.07 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 77.75 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste recycled annually: 2,201,169 tons (2014 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 23% (2014 est.)
Demographic profile
When Vietnam was reunified in 1975, the country had a youthful age structure and a high fertility rate. The population growth rate slowed dramatically during the next 25 years, as fertility declined and infant mortality and life expectancy improved. The country’s adoption of a one-or-two-child policy in 1988 led to increased rates of contraception and abortion. The total fertility rate dropped rapidly from nearly 5 in 1979 to 2.1 or replacement level in 1990, and at 1.8 is below replacement level today. Fertility is higher in the more rural central highlands and northern uplands, which are inhabited primarily by poorer ethnic minorities, and is lower among the majority Kinh, ethnic Chinese, and a few other ethnic groups, particularly in urban centers. With more than two-thirds of the population of working age (15-64), Vietnam has the potential to reap a demographic dividend for approximately three decades (between 2010 and 2040). However, its ability to do so will depend on improving the quality of education and training for its workforce and creating jobs. The Vietnamese Government is also considering changes to the country’s population policy because if the country’s fertility rate remains below replacement level, it could lead to a worker shortage in the future.
Vietnam has experienced both internal migration and net emigration, both for humanitarian and economic reasons, for the last several decades. Internal migration – rural-rural and rural-urban, temporary and permanent – continues to be a means of coping with Vietnam’s extreme weather and flooding. Although Vietnam’s population is still mainly rural, increasing numbers of young men and women have been drawn to the country’s urban centers where they are more likely to find steady jobs and higher pay in the growing industrial and service sectors.
The aftermath of the Vietnam War in 1975 resulted in an outpouring of approximately 1.6 million Vietnamese refugees over the next two decades. Between 1975 and 1997, programs such as the Orderly Departure Program and the Comprehensive Plan of Action resettled hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese refugees abroad, including the United States (880,000), China (260,000, mainly ethnic Chinese Hoa), Canada (160,000), Australia (155,000), and European countries (150,000).
In the 1980s, some Vietnamese students and workers began to migrate to allied communist countries, including the Soviet Union, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, and East Germany. The vast majority returned home following the fall of communism in Eastern Europe in the early 1990s. Since that time, Vietnamese labor migrants instead started to pursue opportunities in Asia and the Middle East. They often perform low-skilled jobs under harsh conditions for low pay and are vulnerable to forced labor, including debt bondage to the private brokers who arrange the work contracts. Despite Vietnam’s current labor surplus, the country has in recent years attracted some foreign workers, mainly from China and other Asian countries.Average household expenditures
on alcohol and tobacco: 2.3% of household expenditures (2018 est.)
Air pollutants
carbon dioxide emissions: 192.67 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 110.4 megatons (2020 est.)
Trafficking in persons
trafficking profile: human traffickers exploit domestic and foreign victims in Vietnam, as well as Vietnamese abroad; 55% of workers work in the informal economy where labor laws are not effectively enforced, increasing vulnerability to trafficking; Vietnamese men and women who migrate abroad, using illicit brokerage networks operated by Vietnamese nationals based abroad or state-owned or state-regulated recruitment enterprises, are vulnerable to debt bondage or other forms of exploitation; victims are subjected to forced labor in construction, agriculture, mining, maritime industries, logging, and manufacturing primarily in Japan, Laos, Malaysia, South Korea, and in some parts of the Middle East, the UK, and other countries in Europe; reports have increased of Vietnamese labor trafficking victims in Taiwan, continental Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and in Pacific maritime industries; Vietnamese traffickers, including members of Vietnam’s diplomatic service, reportedly have exploited Vietnamese nationals in forced labor in Saudi Arabia; many Vietnamese are subjected to forced labor under the auspices of Japan’s Technical Intern Training Program and in agricultural education programs in Israel; other Vietnamese are exploited at Chinese-owned factories associated with China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the Balkan region; widespread social stigma increases LGBTQI+ individuals’ vulnerability to trafficking; traffickers lure Vietnamese women and children with fraudulent job opportunities and send them to brothels on the borders of Cambodia, China, and Laos or elsewhere in Asia, West Africa, and Europe; Vietnamese women and girls are also exploited in sex trafficking in Vietnam, as well as Burma; sometimes family members or small-scale networks exploit Vietnamese men, women, and children—including street children and children with disabilities—in forced labor; child sex tourists from Asia, the UK, other countries in Europe, Australia, Canada, and the US exploit children in Vietnam (2023)
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Major rivers (by length in km)
note – [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
National heritage
selected World Heritage Site locales: Complex of Hué Monuments (c); Ha Long Bay (n); Hoi An Ancient Town (c); My Son Sanctuary (c); Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (n); Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi (c); Citadel of the Ho Dynasty (c); Trang An Landscape Complex (m)
Coal
consumption: 80.568 million metric tons (2020 est.)
exports: 902,000 metric tons (2020 est.)
imports: 55 million metric tons (2020 est.)
proven reserves: 3.36 billion metric tons (2019 est.)
Electricity generation sources
nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
solar: 2.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
wind: 0.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
hydroelectricity: 25.2% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
tide and wave: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
geothermal: 0% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
biomass and waste: 1.4% of total installed capacity (2020 est.)
Natural gas
consumption: 8,438,095,000 cubic meters (2019 est.)
exports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
imports: 0 cubic meters (2021 est.)
proven reserves: 699.425 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption: 495,500 bbl/day (2019 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate exports: 66,900 bbl/day (2018 est.)
crude oil and lease condensate imports: 103,500 bbl/day (2018 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 4.4 billion barrels (2021 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
Remittances
3.41% of GDP (2021 est.)
3.04% of GDP (2020 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Space program overview
note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in Appendix S
Space agency/agencies
Child marriage
women married by age 18: 14.6%
men married by age 18: 1.9% (2021 est.)
Geoparks
global geoparks and regional networks: Dak Nong; Dong Van Karst Plateau; Non nuoc Cao Bang (2023)
Labor force
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male: 7.1%
female: 7.5%
Net migration rate
Median age
male: 31.6 years
female: 33.8 years
Debt - external
$84.34 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$109.371 billion (2021 est.)
$94.834 billion (2020 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Waterways
Refined petroleum products - imports
Public debt
59.9% of GDP (2016 est.)
note: official data; data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions
Total fertility rate
Military expenditures
2.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
2.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
2.3% of GDP (2019 est.)
2.3% of GDP (2018 est.)
Unemployment rate
2.38% (2021 est.)
2.1% (2020 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
Population
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
Internet users
percent of population: 74% (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
from coal and metallurgical coke: 165.775 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 67.775 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 16.379 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2019 est.)
Area
land: 310,070 sq km
water: 21,140 sq km
Taxes and other revenues
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$1.036 trillion (2021 est.)
$1.01 trillion (2020 est.)
note: data in 2017 dollars
Roadways
paved: 148,338 km
unpaved: 47,130 km (2013)
Airports
Infant mortality rate
male: 14.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 14.1 deaths/1,000 live births
Telephones - mobile cellular
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 140 (2021 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
1.83% (2021 est.)
3.22% (2020 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Refined petroleum products - exports
Current account balance
-$4.628 billion (2021 est.)
$15.06 billion (2020 est.)
note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Real GDP per capita
$10,600 (2021 est.)
$10,500 (2020 est.)
note: data in 2017 dollars
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 17 (2020 est.)
Tobacco use
male: 47.4% (2020 est.)
female: 2.2% (2020 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
Energy consumption per capita
Death rate
Birth rate
Electricity
consumption: 199,846,440,000 kWh (2019 est.)
exports: 2.067 billion kWh (2019 est.)
imports: 3.316 billion kWh (2019 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 15.479 billion kWh (2019 est.)
Merchant marine
by type: bulk carrier 117, container ship 45, general cargo 1,176, oil tanker 134, other 501
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
Imports
$338.327 billion (2021 est.)
$269.808 billion (2020 est.)
note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports
$340.126 billion (2021 est.)
$290.229 billion (2020 est.)
note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Telephones - fixed lines
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 3 (2021 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer: 3.18 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.21 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
male: 73.2 years
female: 78.6 years
Real GDP growth rate
2.56% (2021 est.)
2.87% (2020 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Industrial production growth rate
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Railways
standard gauge: 178 km (2014) 1.435-m gauge; 253 km mixed gauge
narrow gauge: 2,169 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry: 33.3% (2017 est.)
services: 51.3% (2017 est.)