THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM

General information: The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is located on the Indochina Peninsula in South East Asia. It covers an area of 329,600 square kilometres and its land borders are 3,880 kilometres long. The country borders China in the north (1,300 kilometres), Laos in the west (1,650 kilometres) and Cambodia in the southwest (930 kilometres). Vietnam is washed by the South China Sea in the east and the south. Its coastal shoreline is 3,260 kilometres long. Mountains and plateaus account for most of the country’s area. The local monsoon-type climate is mostly tropical, hot and humid. The continental shelf contains substantial oil and gas deposits. Coal, tungsten, zinc, lead apatite, iron and manganese ores, titanium and tin deposits are mostly located in the north and the northwest, as well as on the plateaus of central Vietnam. The country abounds in hydropower resources. Forests and planted forests account for about 40 percent of its territory, with natural forests making up 75 percent; and all other forests have commercial significance.

Population: In May 2017, the country’s population was estimated at about 92.7 million. The urban population accounts for 34.6 percent of the total population (over 32.06 million). In the past ten years, the population has increased by 1.06 percent annually. The economically active population is 47.7 million. The dominant Kinh (Viet) ethnic group accounts for 86 percent of the population. Representatives of 54 nations and several ethnic groups, including the Chinese, the Khmer, the Thais, the Muong, the Chama, the Gia Rai, the Ede, the Hmong, etc., live in the country. The average life expectancy is 73.4 years, including 70.8 years for men and 76.1 years for women. 

Administrative division: The country has 58 provinces and five municipalities directly under the central government: Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam (7.5 million people), Ho Chi Minh (10 million), Haiphong (1.9 million), Can Tho (1.2 million) and Da Nang (1.3 million).

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a parliamentary republic. The unicameral National Assembly with 500 deputies, elected for a period of five years, is the supreme legislature. The latest parliamentary elections were held on May 22, 2016. The incumbent National Assembly Chairperson is Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (since March 31, 2016). The President is the head of state, elected from among the National Assembly’s deputies. Tran Dai Quang has been serving in this capacity since April 2, 2016. The executive branch is represented by the Government headed by the Prime Minister (Nguyen Xuan Phuc since April 7, 2016).

Under the current Constitution, adopted in 1992 and amended in 2013, the Communist Party of Vietnam (4.5 million members) plays a leading role in society. The Party’s 12^th congress took place in January 2016, with its delegates re-electing Nguyen Phu Trong as General Secretary of the Party’s Central Committee. The 12^th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam has 200 members (180 full members and 20 candidate members). The Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam has 19 members.

Main religions: Buddhism with 10 million followers and Catholicism with seven million followers. Cao Dai and Hoa Hao, the two other main indigenous religions, have 2.4 million and 1.3 million followers in southern Vietnam. There are one million Protestants among ethnic minorities living on Tay Nguyen Plateau and in the country’s northwestern provinces. About 76,000 people, mostly ethnic Chams, preach Islam.

Official language: Vietnamese is the official language with a Latinized alphabet.

The red rectangular state flag with a 2:3 width to length ratio has a five-point gold star in the centre.

National emblem: The round emblem has a five-point gold star in the centre rimmed by rice ears. A half-cogwheel and the inscription “Socialist Republic of Vietnam” are below.

National anthem: The “Army March” was created in 1944 by composer and poet Wan Kao.

National holiday: Independence Day is celebrated every September 2, 1945.

Other state holidays include Tet Nguyen Dan (the Lunar New Year), Hung King Memorial Day, Vietnam Reunification Day (April 30) and the International Day of Labour (May 1).

Currency: The dong is the national currency. One dollar ≈ 22.67 dongs.  

History: The history of Vietnamese statehood began 2,500 years ago. During that period, an integral culture with its centre in the Red River delta developed in the country. In the second century BC, the oldest Vietnamese states of Au Lac and Nam Viet were conquered by China’s Han dynasty. The “northern dependence” period lasted about 1,000 years and ended in the 10^th century AD. After becoming one of the most powerful states in Southeast Asia, Vietnam defended its independence while fighting China in the 11^th, 15^th and 18^th centuries. In the 13^th century, Vietnam repelled three invasions by the Mongolian Yuan dynasty that ruled China at that time. In the 15^th century, Vietnam conquered the Kingdom of https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Champa" title="Champa">Champa in what is now the central section of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam after a war that lasted for many centuries. While expanding down south, the country’s forces seized eastern sections of the Khmer Empire that controlled large areas in the southern section of the Indochina Peninsula. In the 17^th century, the country disintegrated into two princedoms. In the 19^th century, Vietnam was reunited by the Nguyen dynasty who relocated the capital from Thang Long, now Hanoi, in the north to Hue in central Vietnam. In 1858−1884, France conquered Vietnam and divided the country into three sections: Tonkin (northern regions), Annam (central section) and Kohinhina (southern Vietnam). The Vietnamese Emperor retained his role as a figurehead in Annam. After the Japanese occupation (1941−1945) and after the August Revolution of September 2, 1945, Vietnam became an independent state and was named the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. In 1945−1954, the country defended its sovereignty during an anti-colonial war with France. In July 1954, the Geneva Accords were signed; those documents formalised Vietnam’s independence and territorial integrity and stipulated a peaceful reunification. The pro-American administration in South Vietnam rejected the agreement. The United States and its satellites, including Australia, Spain, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan and others, deployed forces in South Vietnam. In 1964−1968 and 1971−1972, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was subjected to all-out air strikes and naval bombardments. An agreement on ending the war and restoring peace was signed January 27, 1973 in Paris. The United States and its allies withdrew their troop contingents from south Vietnam. On April 30, 1975, the puppet South Vietnamese regime fell due to the People’s Army of Vietnam offensive and a popular uprising. General elections to the National Assembly of the reunited Vietnam were held on April 25, 1976. On July 2, 1976, the National Assembly’s deputies proclaimed reunification and the establishment of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Domestic situation remains stable. The ruling Communist Party hopes to restructure the economy in the near term by converting to an intensive growth model, promoting administrative reform, improving workforce quality and developing education and healthcare. Other priorities include the establishment of productive relations between the state and private business, environmental protection and preventing the effects of global climate change. The interests of retaining the Communist Party’s influence on society call for resolute anti-corruption measures. The country is now witnessing a large campaign directed against embezzlement and aiming to expel Communist Party functionaries with dubious reputations.

In the past 25 years, Vietnam has ranked among other regional countries with the highest GDP growth rates. In 1991−2000, the GDP grew by an average of 7.6 percent. In 2001−2010, it grew by 7.2 percent, and 5.8 percent growth rates were posted in 2011−2015. In 2016, the country’s GDP grew by 6.2 percent. Per capita GDP now totals $2,200. Industry accounts for 32.7 percent of the national GDP, with the service sector and agriculture making up 40.9 and 16.4 percent, respectively. The country posts 4.7 percent inflation. Its international (gold and foreign currency reserves) total $41 billion, an all-time high. In 2016, the foreign trade turnover was $349.2 billion (up 7.1 percent), with exports and imports totaling $176.63 billion (up 9 percent) and 171.11 billion (up 5.2 percent), respectively.

Official unemployment rates total about 2.3 percent, with unemployment at about 10−11 percent.

Vietnam’s armed forces have a total strength of about 415,000, plus about five million reservists (first in the world). The People’s Army of Vietnam consists of conscripts aged 18−27 who serve two-year stints. Officers and some categories of technical experts serve three years. Reservists are discharged after reaching 45 years.

In foreign policy, Vietnam maintains sovereignty and territorial integrity and a favourable international environment for socioeconomic development and for strengthening its positions internationally. The pragmatic and multi-pronged foreign policy of Vietnam focuses on regionalism.

Vietnam maintains diplomatic relations with 187 states and is a member of 63 international organisations. Its strategic partners include the United Kingdom, Germany, India, Indonesia, Spain, Italy, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, France and Japan. Vietnam has established relations of general partnership with ten countries, including the United States. It also maintains relations of general strategic partnership with Russia, the People’s Republic of China and India.

Hanoi is doing its best to mobilise the intellectual, financial and other potential of the Vietnamese diaspora that has been proclaimed an inalienable part of the Vietnamese nation. About 4.5 million ethnic Vietnamese nationals live abroad, including 1.8 million in the United States, 600,000 in Cambodia, 350,000 in France, 210,000 in Australia, 200,000 in Taiwan, 150,000 in the Federal Republic of Germany and 50,000 in Russia.

The Vietnamese Government encourages workforce exports. Over 500,000 Vietnamese migrants work legally in Taiwan, Malaysia, the Republic of Korea, Japan and Arab countries of the Persian Gulf.

Vietnam focuses on compliance with human rights and freedoms. Vietnam has signed all the main international documents in this area and has considerably augmented the relevant sections of the national Constitution. Passed on November 27, 2017, the Criminal Code of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam carries the death penalty for 16 offences, including “high treason,” “activity aiming to overthrow the government of the people,” “espionage,” “terrorism,” “murder,” “raping a minor,” illegal manufacture, transportation and sales of narcotic drugs, as well as a number of corruption-related crimes. In most cases, the death penalty is applied to crimes linked with the transport of narcotic drugs and sales. In 2011, firing squads were replaced with lethal injections.

Education: Literacy level is almost 96 percent, with the number of students reaching about 30 million.

Reseach: The Vietnamese Academy of Sciences and Technology and the Vietnamese Academy of Social Sciences boast key positions in fundamental and applied research. The Vietnamese Academy of Social Sciences has 31 institutions and four research centres, as well as the Museum of Ethnography. This Academy employs 1,500 research associates, including about 600 PhD and DSc holders.

Vietnam has a unique culture, numerous national customs and traditions. Along with the modern theatre, various traditional scenic genres, including Teo (folk musical-drama theatre), Tuong (classical musical-drama theatre), Cai Luong (upgraded modern folk opera) and water puppetry, remain popular.

All media outlets are either state-owned or belong to public organisations or creative unions. The law bans private investment in the media sector. The Vietnam News Agency has 61 offices in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and 26 more abroad, including Russia where four agency correspondents work. Vietnam publishes about 184 newspapers including Nhan Dan (People), Tuoi Tre (Youth), Tin Tuc (News) and Tien Phong (Vanguard), etc. The country also publishes over 500 magazines. The total circulation of print media exceeds 700 million copies. Twenty-five central and local newspapers are published daily. Vietnam Television, or VTV, is the national television broadcaster. Over 70 online newspapers have obtained licenses from the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications. The most popular online resources include Vietnamnet (http://www.vnn.vn/">www.vnn.vn), VNExpress (http://www.vnexpress.net/">www.vnexpress.net) and Vietnam+ (http://www.viertnamplus.vn/">www.viertnamplus.vn).

The people of Vietnam use the Facebook social network. Although the state and society remain divided in their attitude towards this resource, many public servants, typical citizens, as well as state agencies and private companies, maintain Facebook accounts. Messengers, a cheap and quick communications option, are now becoming popular in Vietnam.