Population

2004 Estimate

81,580,000

1991

66,890,000

1991-2004 CAAG

1.5%

Life Expectancy

70 Years

Major Religions

Buddhist

Hoa Hao

Cao Dai

Christian

Ethnic Groups

Vietnamese 90%

Chinese

Hmong

Thai

Khmer

Cham

Literacy

Male – 96.5%

(15+ can read & write)

Female – 91.2%

Total – 93.7%

Geography

Land Area

329,560 km²

Climate

Northern Vietnam is monsoonal with two distinct seasons – hot and wet summers (May to October) and cool and dry winters (November to April).

Central Vietnam is more temperate in the coastal areas and cooler in the highlands.  In the coastal areas the weather is warm and reasonable dry (May to September) and cooler in the winter with heavy monsoonal rains in late September and October.

Southern Vietnam is tropical and fairly consistently hot and humid all year round with the rainy season between May and November.

Government

Communist State

President elected by the National Assembly from among its members for a five-year term.  Prime Minister appointed by the President from among the members of the National Assembly.

National Assembly consists of 498 seats with members elected by popular vote for 5-year terms (need to be approved by the CVP)