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Vietnam

Viet Nam

Capital:Hanoi (Ha Noi)
Population:98.2M
Currency:Vietnamese Dong (VND)
Language:Vietnamese (official), English (as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)
Young boys in rural Vietnam

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Quick Look Factsheet

A multi-page overview of Vietnam.

Vietnam Factsheet

Customs and Culture

Cultural Attributes

The Vietnamese people use the experience of it's history to re-create the future. There is inequality between urban and rural areas which must be resolved if all of Vietnam is going to enjoy future prosperity.

Young boys in rural Vietnam

Land of a Thousand Years and Rising Rice

Social Customs & Etiquette

Greetings

Young and Western- influenced Vietnamese generally shake hands when greeting and saying good-bye, but the majority of Vietnamese do not shake hands. One uses both hands to show respect for older people and those of status, for example an elder sister or brother. Bowing the head slightly while shaking hands also indicates respect. Men and women do not touch one another in public as Vietnamese culture is mostly non-tactile.

Vietnamese names begin with the family name and are followed by a given name. The Vietnamese address one another by their given names, but they also add a title that signals their perceived relationship to the person. These titles are family related rather than professional. Classifiers for gender and familiarity are also combined with the greeting.

Gestures

Ancient Buddhist tradition says one should not touch the head of a young child, as it is considered a sensitive spiritual point, although most Vietnamese no longer adhere to these practices. The Vietnamese consider it rude to summon a person with the index finger.

The Vietnamese use both hands to pass something to someone and to indicate respect for the age or status of the person being passed too. Affection is not generally shown in public by men and women.

Visiting

In Vietnam, because the majority of people do not have telephones, people drop in on one another all the time. The Vietnamese have a very strong sense of hospitality, but Vietnamese do not like to be visited by outsiders unexpectedly because they do not like their private life to be exposed.

On special occasions such as New Year's days, the anniversary of an ancestors death, weddings, or other celebrations gifts are expected if one is to be considered courteous. Flowers are welcome on some occasions, but incense is only appropriate for deaths, anniversaries and temples. Vietnamese names list the surname last, so when referring to a Vietnamese person, use their last name, prefixed by the appropriate term of reference.

Personal Appearance

Women sometimes wear the traditional "ao dai", which is a long dress with panels in the front and back worn over pants. Typical dress for adults consists of pants worn with a cotton or knit blouse.

The Vietnamese typiclaly do not wear shorts in public except at the beach or at a work site. Suits and ties may be worn in business offices.

Diet

Rice is the staple food of Vietnam. A fermented fish sauce called nuoc mam is the main seasoning used to flavor dishes; special foods are also dipped in it. Vietnamese cuisine is famous for a wide variety of dishes and features excellent seafood. Spring rolls, summer rolls, and steamed or fried rolls with varied fillings are used in different seasons and for special occasions.

The Vietnamese use chopsticks and rice bowls for most meals. They hold the rice bowl in the hand; it is considered lazy to eat from a rice bowl that is on the table. Spoons are provided when soup is served. Food is placed on dishes in the center of the table from which each person helps themselves. However, people older than oneself and their children are served first. Often, beverages are not served until after the meal. Mats are traditionally used as bed, couch and dining table.

Vietnam beach

Family

Rank in the family denotes status, which carries responsibilities as well as rights. In an extended family (group) culture, each household usually accommodates more than one family. In urban areas like Hanoi, Haiphong and Ho Chi Minh City, critical accommodation shortage further aggravates this situation.

Vietnamese usually prefer to not live alone. Vietnamese still prefer to live near one another for mutual support. Living alone, on the other hand, can become a fearful experience to some Vietnamese, particularly those who come from remote rural villages. This stems from their belief in the existence of spirits.

Dating Customs

Socializing in public varies depending upon upbringing and the degree of Western influence. In rural Vietnam, young men and women usually socialize in groups. Marriages have been traditionally arranged by parents, but this practice is now very rare. Young men and women are free to choose their spouse. In general, men marry at age 25-30, and women at the age of 23-26. Weddings are a great celebration.

Recreation

Men and women often relax after work by going to a café for companionship. Older men may play chess or mahjongg. A good mahjongg player combines the strategic sense of a chess master with the gambling skills of a poker player. Men also enjoy playing tam cúc, a card game that uses a deck of 36 long cards, each with a Chinese word and a picture of a military figure or animal.

Soccer is the most popular game in Vietnam; other popular sports include cycling, badminton, table tennis, volleyball and martial arts. All of these are inexpensive and can be played almost anywhere. On the whole, however, except for jogging, most Vietnamese do not pursue recreational exercise.

At sunrise, many older people can be seen practicing tai chi on the quiet morning streets. For centuries the Vietnamese have also practiced thái cuc quyên, a kind of slow-motion shadow boxing that is related to kung fu, though not performed for self-defense. Most popular with older people and women, the movements in thái cuc quyên improve fitness, breathing and digestion.

Toys are not common in Vietnam. As a result, children play creatively with everyday objects such as coins or rope, a quality that Vietnamese identify as typical of their culture-the ability to be innovative and resourceful.

Holidays

  • Independence Day

    9/2

    Independence Day

  • Christmas

    12/25

    xmas

Dates of Interest

  • September 2nd

How do people greet each other in Vietnam?

Younger or Western-influenced Vietnamese shake hands, but most people do not; a slight head bow shows respect. Names begin with the family name followed by a given name, and people are addressed by given name with a family-related title.

Do

  • Use both hands and bow your head slightly when greeting older people or those of status
  • Add the appropriate family-related title when addressing someone

Don’t

  • Don't touch a member of the opposite sex in public, as the culture is largely non-tactile

Good to know

  • Vietnamese address one another by given names, combining classifiers for gender and familiarity

What are dining customs like in Vietnam?

Rice is the staple, seasoned with nuoc mam fish sauce, and meals are eaten with chopsticks and rice bowls, with shared dishes placed in the center of the table.

Do

  • Hold the rice bowl in your hand while eating
  • Serve people older than yourself, and their children, first
  • Help yourself from the shared dishes in the center of the table

Don’t

  • Don't eat from a rice bowl left sitting on the table, as it's considered lazy

Good to know

  • Spoons are provided when soup is served
  • Beverages are often not served until after the meal
  • Try the seafood, spring rolls, summer rolls, and fried rolls

What should I know about visiting and hospitality in Vietnam?

Vietnamese have a strong sense of hospitality, but they dislike unexpected visits from outsiders because they value their privacy.

Do

  • Bring gifts on special occasions like New Year's, ancestor anniversaries, and weddings to be courteous
  • Bring flowers on some occasions

Don’t

  • Don't drop in on people unexpectedly
  • Don't give incense except for deaths, anniversaries, or temples

How should I dress in Vietnam?

Typical adult dress is pants with a cotton or knit blouse, while suits and ties are worn in business offices; women sometimes wear the traditional ao dai.

Don’t

  • Don't wear shorts in public except at the beach or a work site

Are there gestures to avoid in Vietnam?

Certain gestures signal disrespect, and public affection is generally avoided.

Do

  • Use both hands to pass something, especially to show respect for age or status

Don’t

  • Don't summon a person with your index finger, as it's rude
  • Don't touch the head of a young child, traditionally a sensitive spiritual point
  • Don't show affection between men and women in public

What is family life like in Vietnam?

Rank in the family denotes status with both rights and responsibilities, and extended families often share a household. Vietnamese generally prefer to live near one another for mutual support rather than alone.

Good to know

  • Living alone can be fearful for some, especially those from remote rural villages, due to a belief in spirits
  • Marriages are now rarely arranged; young people freely choose their spouse

What do people do for recreation in Vietnam?

After work, men and women relax at cafés, and soccer is the most popular game, alongside cycling, badminton, table tennis, volleyball, and martial arts.

Good to know

  • Older men may play chess, mahjongg, or the card game tam cúc
  • At sunrise, older people practice tai chi and thái cuc quyên on the streets
  • Children play creatively with everyday objects like coins or rope

Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Sources: CountryReports

Photos of Vietnam

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Travel and Tourism

Travel Alert Status
Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions
Currency
dong (VND)
Time Difference
UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Climate
Vietnam is largely a tropical monsoon country. In the north, a hot rainy season prevails from May to September. The average temperature in Hanoi is about 86°F during this period, with very high humidity. During the cooler, dry season in the north from December to March, the average temperature is 68°F, with overnight minimums sometimes around 40°–42°F. In the south, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta experience a year-round tropical climate with daily temperatures normally exceeding 88°F. The rainy season in Danang and Hue in the center of the country lasts from October to March.
Airports
19
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Recipes

Featured Dish

Xôi Nuóc Duà

Side Dish

Browse all 19 recipes

History

Historical Eras

  1. Legendary & Ancient Origins

    2879 BCE – 111 BCE

    Vietnamese civilization traces its legendary roots to the Hung Vuong kings of Van Lang in the Red River Delta, followed by the historical Kingdom of Au Lac under King An Duong Vuong around 210 BCE. The region was subsequently absorbed into the Nan Yueh kingdom founded by Chinese general Trieu Da in 207 BCE, blending early Vietnamese culture with expanding southern Chinese influence.

  2. Chinese Domination

    111 BCE – 938

    The Han dynasty conquered the Red River Delta in the first century BCE, initiating roughly a thousand years of Chinese imperial rule that profoundly shaped Vietnamese administration, law, literature, and Confucian culture. Resistance was persistent — the Trung sisters led a celebrated revolt in 40 CE, and Ly Bi briefly established an independent state in 544 — reflecting an enduring Vietnamese drive for autonomy that would ultimately succeed.

  3. Early Independence & Dynasties

    938 – 1225

    Ngo Quyen's decisive victory over a Chinese fleet at the Bach Dang River in 938 ended Chinese domination and inaugurated an era of Vietnamese self-rule. Successive dynasties — the Dinh, Early Le, and Ly — consolidated statehood, repelled further Chinese and Cham invasions, and fostered a flourishing of Buddhist culture and indigenous literature written in chu nom script.

  4. Imperial Expansion

    1225 – 1802

    The Tran dynasty repelled three Mongol invasions in the thirteenth century, cementing Vietnam's reputation for fierce resistance to foreign conquest. Over the following centuries, the Vietnamese state pushed relentlessly southward, defeating Champa in 1471 and displacing the Khmer from the Mekong Delta by 1749, even as dynastic rivalry and the country's partition between the Trinh and Nguyen lords produced two centuries of internal warfare before the Nguyen unified the country in 1802.

  5. Colonial Period

    1802 – 1945

    France progressively seized control of Vietnam, completing its occupation of the entire country by 1884 and incorporating it into French Indochina. Colonial rule brought infrastructure, Catholic missionary influence, and economic extraction, but also generated a growing nationalist movement led by figures such as Phan Boi Chau and, ultimately, Ho Chi Minh, whose Viet Minh organization positioned itself to seize independence when Japan's wartime occupation collapsed in 1945.

  6. War, Division & Reunification

    1945 – 1975

    Ho Chi Minh declared independence in September 1945, but France refused to relinquish its colony, sparking the First Indochina War that ended with the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu in 1954 and the country's partition at the 17th parallel. The ensuing struggle between the Communist North and the US-backed South escalated into a devastating conflict; American forces withdrew after the 1973 ceasefire, and North Vietnamese armies reunified the country by force in April 1975.

  7. Reunified Modern Vietnam

    1975 – present

    The Socialist Republic of Vietnam was formally proclaimed in 1976, though the country faced continued conflict — including wars with Cambodia and China in the late 1970s — and severe economic hardship under a centrally planned system. The landmark Doi Moi reforms of 1986 opened Vietnam to market economics and foreign investment, transforming it into one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing economies while the Communist Party retained political authority.

Overview

Hanoi temple dedicated to King An Duong Vuong (ruler of Kingdom of Au Lac, third century B.C.) THE VIETNAMESE TRACE the origins of their culture and nation to the fertile plains of the Red River Delta in northern Vietnam. After centuries of developing a civilization and economy based on the cultivation of irrigated rice, the Vietnamese began expanding southward in search of new ricelands. Moving down the narrow coastal plain of the Indochina Peninsula, through conquest and pioneering settlement they eventually reached and occupied the broad Mekong River Delta. Vietnamese history is the story of the struggle to develop a sense of nationhood throughout this narrow 1,500-kilometer stretch of land and to maintain it against internal and external pressures. The first major threat to Vietnam’s existence as a separate people and nation was the conquest of the Red River Delta by the Chinese, under the mighty Han dynasty (206 B.C.-A.D. 220), in the first century B.C. At that time, and in later centuries, the expanding Chinese empire assimilated a number of small bordering nations politically and culturally. Although Vietnam spent 1,000 years under Chinese rule, it succeeded in throwing off the yoke of its powerful neighbor in the tenth century. The Vietnamese did not, however, emerge unchanged by their millennium under Chinese rule. Although they were unsuccessful in assimilating the Vietnamese totally, the Chinese did exert a permanent influence on Vietnamese administration, law, education, literature, language, and culture. Their greatest impact was on the Vietnamese elite, with whom the Chinese administrators had the most contact. The effects of this Sinicization (Hanhwa ) were much less intensive among the common people, who retained a large part of their pre-Han culture and language. China’s cultural influence increased in the centuries following the expulsion of its officials, as Vietnamese monarchs and aristocrats strove to emulate the cultural ideal established by the Middle Kingdom. Even for the Vietnamese elite, however, admiration for Chinese culture did not include any desire for Chinese political control. In the almost uninterrupted 900 years of independence that followed China’s domination, the Vietnamese thwarted a number of Chinese attempts at military reconquest, accepting a tributary relationship instead. During this period, learning and literature flourished as the Vietnamese expressed themselves both in classical Chinese written in Chinese characters and in Vietnamese written in chu nom, a script derived from Chinese ideographs. During the Chinese millennium, other cultural influences also reached the shores of the Red River Delta. A thriving maritime trade among China, India, and Indonesia used the delta as a convenient stopover. Among the array of goods and ideas thus brought to Vietnam was Buddhism from India. While the Vietnamese aristocracy clung to Chinese Confucianism, during most periods the common people embraced Buddhism, adapting it to fit their own indigenous religions and world view. As the Red River Delta prospered, its population began expanding southward along the narrow coastal plains. The period from the twelfth century to the eighteenth century was marked by warfare with both the Cham and Khmer, the peoples of the Indianized kingdoms of Champa and Cambodia, who controlled lands in the Vietnamese line of march to the south. The Cham were finally defeated in 1471, and the Khmer were forced out of the Mekong Delta by 1749. Vietnamese settlers flooded into the largely untilled lands, turning them to rice cultivation. The southward expansion severely taxed the ability of the Vietnamese monarchy, ruling from the Red River Delta, to maintain control over a people spread over such a distance. The inability of the ruling Le dynasty to deal with this and other problems led to the partition of the country by the nobility in the sixteenth century. After two hundred years of warfare between competing noble families, a peasant rebellion reunified the country in the late eighteenth century. The rebels, however, were unable to solve the problems of a country ravaged by war, famine, and natural disasters and lost control to a surviving member of the Nguyen noble family. Nguyen Anh took the reign name Gia Long (a composite derived from the Vietnamese names for the northern and southern capitals of the country during partition) and established a new centrally located capital at Hue in 1802. Gia Long and his successors also were unable or unwilling to solve the persisting problems of the country, particularly the age-old dilemma of land alienation, the concentration of large tracts of land in the hands of a few and the resulting creation of vast numbers of landless peasants

Timeline of Key Events

  1. 2879 BCE

    Legendary founding of the Van Lang Kingdom by the first Hung Vuong.

    Legendary founding of the Van Lang Kingdom by the first Hung Vuong.

  2. 257 BCE – 208 BCE

    Thuc Dynasty

    Thuc Dynasty

  3. 210 BCE

    Kingdom of Au Lac established.

    Kingdom of Au Lac established.

  4. 207 BCE – 111 BCE

    Trieu Dynasty

    Trieu Dynasty

  5. 207 BCE

    Chinese general Chao Tuo (Trieu Da) founds Nan Yueh (Nam Viet).

    Chinese general Chao Tuo (Trieu Da) founds Nan Yueh (Nam Viet).

  6. 39

    Trung sisters lead a rebellion against Chinese.

    Trung sisters lead a rebellion against Chinese rule 43 Trung sisters’ rebellion crushed by Chinese general Ma Yuan, and Viet people placed under direct Chinese administration for the first time.

  7. 542 – 544

    Ly Bi leads uprising against China’s Liang Dynasty.

    Ly Bi leads uprising against China’s Liang Dynasty and establishes the independent kingdom of Van Xuan.

View full timeline (70 events)
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Interesting Facts

  • When a child loses a tooth they throw their lower tooth on the roof and throw their upper tooth under the bed.

  • Vietnam's central highlands and the mountainous regions of the north are home to over 50 different ethnic groups, referred to as the Montagnards (the French term for highlanders).

  • For centuries, upper-class Vietnamese girls had their teeth blackened at puberty. White teeth were thought to be vulgar, and blackening was believed to prevent tooth decay. The practice stopped when Vietnam was colonized by the French, who found black teeth unattractive.

  • Although the Vietnamese wear Western-style clothes, women still wear the country's traditional costume on special occasions. The ao dai is a long, high-necked tunic with a slit at the side. Women wear silk pants underneath and delicate sandals called guoc.

  • The famous conical hat worn by farmers throughout Vietnam has a long history. Traditionally made of palm leaf, the non la hat has been worn since the 13th century to keep off the sun.

  • At the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Hieu Ngan Tran became the first Vietnamese to win an Olympic medal. She took a silver in the women's competition for the martial art tae kwon do.

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Geography and Environment

Like a dragon floating in the sea, Vietnam winds its way some 1,030 miles up from the South China Sea to the Gulf of Tonkin, with its head caressing the border of China to the north and its back resting snuggly against her Southeast Asian neighbors, Laos and Cambodia, to the west. The total land area of Vietnam covers about 128,000 square miles. Vietnam’s main cities, for population and importance, are Hanoi, Haiphong, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon). Vietnam’s northern terrain is mostly mountainous or hilly, with some highland areas covered by a thick green blanket of jungle (about half the total land area). The Red River Delta and coastal plains in the lowland part of the North are heavily populated and intensively cultivated (almost entirely by rice fields). Although much of this Delta Region is seasonally flooded, a complex network of dikes and levees helps to prevent serious flood damage. The southern part of Vietnam is dominated by the estuary of the Mekong River system and is low, flat, and frequently marshy. The rich soil in the Mekong Delta is the most fertile in the country. Areas immediately north and east of Ho Chi Minh City in the Mekong Delta are much more varied with low-lying tropical rain forest, upland forest, and the rugged Annamite Mountain chain.
Terrain
low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly, mountainous in far north and northwest
Climate
Vietnam is largely a tropical monsoon country. In the north, a hot rainy season prevails from May to September. The average temperature in Hanoi is about 86°F during this period, with very high humidity. During the cooler, dry season in the north from December to March, the average temperature is 68°F, with overnight minimums sometimes around 40°–42°F. In the south, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta experience a year-round tropical climate with daily temperatures normally exceeding 88°F. The rainy season in Danang and Hue in the center of the country lasts from October to March.
Natural Hazards
occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta
Current Environmental Issues
logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices contribute to deforestation and soil degradation; water pollution and overfishing threaten marine life populations; groundwater contamination limits potable water supply; growing urban industrialization and population migration are rapidly degrading environment in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
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People & Demographics

Religion

Languages Spoken

Vietnamese (official), English (as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer; mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)

  • English
  • Vietnamese

Population

Population
98,186,813
Population in Major Urban Areas
Ho Chi Minh City 6.405 million; HANOI (capital) 2.955 million; Haiphong 925,000; Da Nang 834,000
Nationality Noun
Vietnamese (singular and plural)
Ethnic Groups
Vietnamese 85%-90%, Chinese, Hmong, Thai, Khmer, Cham, mountain groups
Language Note
Vietnamese is the official language. There are distinct northern, central, and southern dialects and accents. The most popular foreign languages taught in schools are English, Russian, and French.

Education

Literacy Definition
age 15 and over can read and write

Health Information

Life Expectancy at Birth
Life expectancy at birth in Vietnam has risen dramatically over recent decades, reflecting significant improvements in public health infrastructure, nutrition, and access to medical care. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy at birth in Vietnam stands at approximately 74 to 75 years overall, with women living longer than men — women averaging around 77 years and men around 72 years. This upward trend represents one of the more notable public health achievements in Southeast Asia. In the 1960s and 1970s, life expectancy in Vietnam was considerably lower, suppressed by the effects of prolonged conflict, poverty, and limited healthcare access. Following the economic reforms known as Doi Moi, introduced in 1986, Vietnam experienced sustained economic growth that enabled expanded investment in healthcare systems, sanitation, and disease prevention programs. Several factors contribute to the current life expectancy figures. Vietnam has maintained relatively low rates of cardiovascular disease compared to many Western nations, partly attributed to a traditional diet rich in vegetables, rice, fish, and lean proteins. The country has also made measurable progress in reducing infant and child mortality rates, which directly influences life expectancy calculations at birth. Communicable diseases that once posed serious threats — including malaria, tuberculosis, and cholera — have been significantly reduced through national health campaigns and international cooperation. Vaccination coverage across the population has expanded substantially, protecting both children and adults from preventable illness. Despite these gains, Vietnam faces emerging health challenges that may affect future life expectancy trends. Non-communicable diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and respiratory conditions linked to rising rates of tobacco use and air pollution in urban areas such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, are growing concerns. The COVID-19 pandemic also introduced a temporary setback to health system capacity and population health outcomes in the early 2020s, though Vietnam's relatively swift public health response helped limit long-term mortality impacts. The aging population places increasing demands on a healthcare system that continues to develop its capacity for long-term and elder care. Vietnam's life expectancy compares favorably with many of its regional neighbors at similar income levels, suggesting that deliberate health policy choices have played a meaningful role alongside economic development in extending the lives of its citizens.
Major Infectious Diseases — degree of risk
very high
Infant Mortality Rate
Vietnam has made remarkable progress in reducing infant mortality over the past several decades, reflecting sustained investment in public health infrastructure, maternal care, and child nutrition programs. The infant mortality rate currently stands at approximately 16 to 17 deaths per 1,000 live births, a significant improvement from rates that exceeded 50 per 1,000 live births in the early 1990s. This downward trend is attributed to several key factors, including expanded access to skilled birth attendants, increased immunization coverage, improved sanitation and clean water access, and targeted government health initiatives. Vietnam's national immunization program covers a broad range of childhood diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, and hepatitis B, contributing directly to lower infant death rates. Despite nationwide progress, notable disparities remain between urban and rural areas, as well as among different ethnic minority communities living in remote highland regions. Infants born in mountainous provinces in the northwest and central highlands face considerably higher mortality risks than those born in major cities such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Limited access to healthcare facilities, lower rates of prenatal care utilization, and higher rates of poverty in these regions are primary contributing factors. Causes of infant death in Vietnam are largely consistent with patterns seen across lower-middle-income countries and include neonatal complications such as preterm birth and birth asphyxia, respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, and congenital conditions. The neonatal period — the first 28 days of life — accounts for a substantial proportion of all infant deaths recorded nationally. The Vietnamese government, working in partnership with international organizations including UNICEF and the World Health Organization, continues to implement programs aimed at bridging the urban-rural gap, strengthening neonatal care units in provincial hospitals, training community health workers, and promoting exclusive breastfeeding practices. These combined efforts position Vietnam as one of the stronger performers in infant mortality reduction among Southeast Asian nations at a comparable stage of economic development.

Life Expectancy

Life Expectancy at Birth
Life expectancy at birth in Vietnam has risen dramatically over recent decades, reflecting significant improvements in public health infrastructure, nutrition, and access to medical care. As of the most recent available data, the average life expectancy at birth in Vietnam stands at approximately 74 to 75 years overall, with women living longer than men — women averaging around 77 years and men around 72 years. This upward trend represents one of the more notable public health achievements in Southeast Asia. In the 1960s and 1970s, life expectancy in Vietnam was considerably lower, suppressed by the effects of prolonged conflict, poverty, and limited healthcare access. Following the economic reforms known as Doi Moi, introduced in 1986, Vietnam experienced sustained economic growth that enabled expanded investment in healthcare systems, sanitation, and disease prevention programs. Several factors contribute to the current life expectancy figures. Vietnam has maintained relatively low rates of cardiovascular disease compared to many Western nations, partly attributed to a traditional diet rich in vegetables, rice, fish, and lean proteins. The country has also made measurable progress in reducing infant and child mortality rates, which directly influences life expectancy calculations at birth. Communicable diseases that once posed serious threats — including malaria, tuberculosis, and cholera — have been significantly reduced through national health campaigns and international cooperation. Vaccination coverage across the population has expanded substantially, protecting both children and adults from preventable illness. Despite these gains, Vietnam faces emerging health challenges that may affect future life expectancy trends. Non-communicable diseases, including cancer, diabetes, and respiratory conditions linked to rising rates of tobacco use and air pollution in urban areas such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, are growing concerns. The COVID-19 pandemic also introduced a temporary setback to health system capacity and population health outcomes in the early 2020s, though Vietnam's relatively swift public health response helped limit long-term mortality impacts. The aging population places increasing demands on a healthcare system that continues to develop its capacity for long-term and elder care. Vietnam's life expectancy compares favorably with many of its regional neighbors at similar income levels, suggesting that deliberate health policy choices have played a meaningful role alongside economic development in extending the lives of its citizens.
Infant Mortality Rate
Vietnam has made remarkable progress in reducing infant mortality over the past several decades, reflecting sustained investment in public health infrastructure, maternal care, and child nutrition programs. The infant mortality rate currently stands at approximately 16 to 17 deaths per 1,000 live births, a significant improvement from rates that exceeded 50 per 1,000 live births in the early 1990s. This downward trend is attributed to several key factors, including expanded access to skilled birth attendants, increased immunization coverage, improved sanitation and clean water access, and targeted government health initiatives. Vietnam's national immunization program covers a broad range of childhood diseases, including diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, measles, and hepatitis B, contributing directly to lower infant death rates. Despite nationwide progress, notable disparities remain between urban and rural areas, as well as among different ethnic minority communities living in remote highland regions. Infants born in mountainous provinces in the northwest and central highlands face considerably higher mortality risks than those born in major cities such as Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. Limited access to healthcare facilities, lower rates of prenatal care utilization, and higher rates of poverty in these regions are primary contributing factors. Causes of infant death in Vietnam are largely consistent with patterns seen across lower-middle-income countries and include neonatal complications such as preterm birth and birth asphyxia, respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, and congenital conditions. The neonatal period — the first 28 days of life — accounts for a substantial proportion of all infant deaths recorded nationally. The Vietnamese government, working in partnership with international organizations including UNICEF and the World Health Organization, continues to implement programs aimed at bridging the urban-rural gap, strengthening neonatal care units in provincial hospitals, training community health workers, and promoting exclusive breastfeeding practices. These combined efforts position Vietnam as one of the stronger performers in infant mortality reduction among Southeast Asian nations at a comparable stage of economic development.
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Government & Politics

Country Identity

Country Name
Vietnam
Full Country Name
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Local - Long
Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam
Local - Short
Viet Nam

Government Structure

Government Type
Communist state
Legal System
based on communist legal theory and French civil law system
Executive Branch
chief of state: President Luong Cuong (since 21 October 2024) head of government: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (since 26 July 2021); Deputy Prime Ministers Le Thanh Long, Ho Duc Phoc, Tran Hong Ha, and Nguyen Hoa Binh (all since 2023) cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president based on the proposal of the prime minister and ratification of the National Assembly elections: president elected by the National Assembly from among its members for a five-year term; election last held 21 October 2024 (next to be held following legislative elections in 2026); prime minister appointed by the president from among members of the National Assembly and confirmed by the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by the prime minister and confirmed by the National Assembly election results: Luong Cuong elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - approximately 99%
Legislative Branch
Unicameral National Assembly or Quoc Hoi (500 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) Elections: last held on 23 May 2021 (next to be held in 2026) Election results: percent of vote by party - CPV and CPV-approved candidates 100%; seats by party - CPV 475, non-party members approved by the CPV 25. All candidates, whether formal CPV members or not, must be vetted and approved by the Vietnam Fatherland Front, an umbrella organization overseen by the CPV, before standing for election.
Judicial Branch
Supreme People's Court (chief justice is elected for a five-year term by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president)
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Constitution
15-Apr-92
Independence
2 September 1945 (from France)
National Holiday
Independence Day, 2 September (1945)

Capital City

Capital Name
Hanoi (Ha Noi)
Capital - geographic coordinate
21 02 N, 105 51 E
Capital Time Difference
UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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

Military

Branches: People's Armed Forces: People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN; includes Vietnam People's Navy (with Naval Infantry), Vietnam People's Air and Air Defense Force, Border Defense Command, Coast Guard)

Embassy / Diplomatic Mission

U.S. Embassy in Hanoi

170 Ngoc Khanh

Ba Dinh District

Hanoi, Vietnam

24 hour telephone number: (84-4) 3850-5000

Fax: (84-4) 3850-5010

U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City

4 Le Duan, District 1

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

24 hour telephone number: (84-8) 3520-4200

Fax: (84-8) 3520-4244

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Economy

Vietnam has transformed from one of the world's poorest nations into a dynamic lower-middle-income economy, driven by decades of economic reforms known as "??i M?i" launched in 1986. These reforms shifted the country from a centrally-planned system toward a socialist-oriented market economy, unleashing rapid growth and integrating Vietnam into the global economy. Between 2002 and 2023, GDP per capita increased nearly sixfold, and tens of millions of people were lifted out of poverty.

Vietnam's economy has consistently been one of the fastest-growing in Asia. After weathering the 2008 global financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, the country rebounded strongly, posting GDP growth of approximately 8% in 2022, around 5% in 2023, and roughly 7% in 2024. Manufacturing and exports, particularly electronics, textiles, footwear, and agricultural products, are the main engines of growth. Major multinational companies, including Samsung, Intel, and Apple suppliers, have established significant production bases in Vietnam, benefiting from competitive labor costs and a strategic location within global supply chains.

Trade liberalization has been central to Vietnam's success. The country joined the World Trade Organization in 2007 and has signed a wide network of free trade agreements, including the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). The United States is now one of Vietnam's largest export markets, and bilateral relations were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023.

Despite this progress, Vietnam faces significant challenges. The economy remains vulnerable to external shocks, especially fluctuations in global demand. Structural issues persist, including inefficiencies in state-owned enterprises, a fragile banking sector, infrastructure bottlenecks, and environmental degradation. The country is also among those most exposed to climate change, particularly in the Mekong Delta. Looking ahead, Vietnam aims to become a high-income country by 2045, with strategies focused on digital transformation, green growth, workforce upskilling, and deeper integration into high-value global value chains.

Snapshot

Currency Name and Code
Vietnamese Dong (VND)
GDP — official exchange rate
$43,750,000,000 (USD)
GDP Real Growth Rate
6.4%
Gini Index
36.1

Banknotes

Vietnam Money - Front
Vietnam Money - Front
Vietnam Money - Back
Vietnam Money - Back

Budget & Public Finance

Fiscal Year
calendar year
Annual Budget
$12,950,000,000 (USD)
Public Debt (% of GDP)
75.5%
External Debt
$19,170,000,000 (USD)
Investment (% of GDP)
38.7%
Economic Aid
$2,800,000,000 (USD)
Current Account Balance
-$1,695,000,000 (USD)

Labor, Industry & Trade

Labor Force by Occupation
agriculture 63%; industry and services 37%
Household Income — highest 10%
29.9%
Industries
food processing, garments, shoes, machine-building, mining, cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, coal, steel, paper
Agriculture Products
paddy rice, corn, potatoes, rubber, soybeans, coffee, tea, bananas, sugar; poultry, pigs, fish
Export Commodities
crude oil, marine products, rice, coffee, rubber, tea, garments, shoes
Export Partners
US 15%, Japan 14.6%, Australia 7.5%, China 6.4%, Germany 6.4%, Singapore 5.4%, UK 4.2%
Import Commodities
machinery and equipment, petroleum products, fertilizer, steel products, raw cotton, grain, cement, motorcycles
Import Partners
Taiwan 12.6%, South Korea 12.3%, China 11.8%, Japan 11.7%, Singapore 11.4%, Thailand 5.2%, Hong Kong 4.2%

Energy

Oil Production
400,000 bbl/day
Oil Consumption
216,000 bbl/day
Oil Reserves
600,000,000 bbl/day
Natural Gas Production
6,342,000,000 cu m
Natural Gas Consumption
6,342,000,000 cu m
Natural Gas Imports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Exports
0 cu m
Natural Gas Reserves
192,600,000,000 cu m

Communications

Telephone System
general assessment: Vietnam is putting considerable effort into modernization and expansion of its telecommunication system domestic: all provincial exchanges are digitalized and connected to Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City by fiber-optic cable or microwave radio relay networks; main lines have been increased, and the use of mobile telephones is growing rapidly international: country code - 84; a landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3, the C2C, and Thailand-Vietnam-Hong Kong submarine cable systems; the Asia-America Gateway submarine cable system, completed in 2009, provided new access links to Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)
Internet Country Code
.vn

News & Weather

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Climate Overview

Vietnam is largely a tropical monsoon country. In the north, a hot rainy season prevails from May to September. The average temperature in Hanoi is about 86°F during this period, with very high humidity. During the cooler, dry season in the north from December to March, the average temperature is 68°F, with overnight minimums sometimes around 40°–42°F.

In the south, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta experience a year-round tropical climate with daily temperatures normally exceeding 88°F. The rainy season in Danang and Hue in the center of the country lasts from October to March.

Videos

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Vietnam?
The population of Vietnam is approximately 98.2M.
How do people greet each other in Vietnam?
Younger or Western-influenced Vietnamese shake hands, but most people do not; a slight head bow shows respect. Names begin with the family name followed by a given name, and people are addressed by given name with a family-related title. Do: Use both hands and bow your head slightly when greeting older people or those of status Add the appropriate family-related title when addressing someone Don't: Don't touch a member of the opposite sex in public, as the culture is largely non-tactile Vietnamese address one another by given names, combining classifiers for gender and familiarity
What are dining customs like in Vietnam?
Rice is the staple, seasoned with nuoc mam fish sauce, and meals are eaten with chopsticks and rice bowls, with shared dishes placed in the center of the table. Do: Hold the rice bowl in your hand while eating Serve people older than yourself, and their children, first Help yourself from the shared dishes in the center of the table Don't: Don't eat from a rice bowl left sitting on the table, as it's considered lazy Spoons are provided when soup is served Beverages are often not served until after the meal Try the seafood, spring rolls, summer rolls, and fried rolls
What should I know about visiting and hospitality in Vietnam?
Vietnamese have a strong sense of hospitality, but they dislike unexpected visits from outsiders because they value their privacy. Do: Bring gifts on special occasions like New Year's, ancestor anniversaries, and weddings to be courteous Bring flowers on some occasions Don't: Don't drop in on people unexpectedly Don't give incense except for deaths, anniversaries, or temples
How should I dress in Vietnam?
Typical adult dress is pants with a cotton or knit blouse, while suits and ties are worn in business offices; women sometimes wear the traditional ao dai. Don't: Don't wear shorts in public except at the beach or a work site
Are there gestures to avoid in Vietnam?
Certain gestures signal disrespect, and public affection is generally avoided. Do: Use both hands to pass something, especially to show respect for age or status Don't: Don't summon a person with your index finger, as it's rude Don't touch the head of a young child, traditionally a sensitive spiritual point Don't show affection between men and women in public
What is family life like in Vietnam?
Rank in the family denotes status with both rights and responsibilities, and extended families often share a household. Vietnamese generally prefer to live near one another for mutual support rather than alone. Living alone can be fearful for some, especially those from remote rural villages, due to a belief in spirits Marriages are now rarely arranged; young people freely choose their spouse
What do people do for recreation in Vietnam?
After work, men and women relax at cafés, and soccer is the most popular game, alongside cycling, badminton, table tennis, volleyball, and martial arts. Older men may play chess, mahjongg, or the card game tam cúc At sunrise, older people practice tai chi and thái cuc quyên on the streets Children play creatively with everyday objects like coins or rope
What is the capital of Vietnam?
Hanoi (Ha Noi) is the capital of Vietnam and its political and cultural heart. One of Southeast Asia's oldest cities, it has served as a seat of power for Vietnamese rulers for over a thousand years. Today it functions as the headquarters of the country's communist state government and stands as a counterpart to Ho Chi Minh City, the populous commercial center in the south. Hanoi's Old Quarter, French colonial architecture, and network of lakes reflect the city's layered historical identity.
Where is Vietnam located?
Vietnam is located in Southeast Asia, occupying the eastern edge of the Indochina Peninsula. The country stretches in a distinctive elongated S-shape along the South China Sea, giving it an extensive coastline of roughly 3,200 kilometers. Its position at the crossroads of East and Southeast Asia has made it a zone of sustained cultural exchange and, historically, repeated foreign intervention — from Chinese dominance lasting centuries to French colonial rule and mid-twentieth-century conflict involving the United States.
What countries border Vietnam?
Vietnam shares land borders with three countries: China to the north, Laos to the northwest, and Cambodia to the southwest. To the east and south, Vietnam fronts the South China Sea, which provides the country with vital maritime access for trade and fishing. These borders have been both strategic corridors and contested frontiers throughout Vietnam's history, shaping its military conflicts, trade networks, and the distribution of ethnic minority populations in its highland regions.
What religion is practiced in Vietnam?
The majority of Vietnam's population — approximately 80 percent — identifies as non-religious, though spiritual practice rooted in ancestor veneration, folk traditions, and Confucian ethics remains widespread in daily life. Buddhism accounts for roughly 10 percent of the population and has profoundly shaped Vietnamese art, philosophy, and social values since its arrival over two millennia ago. Roman Catholicism, introduced during French colonial rule, represents approximately 7 percent of the population and is particularly visible in urban centers and the south.
What is the currency of Vietnam?
The official currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese Dong, with the ISO code VND. It is issued and regulated by the State Bank of Vietnam. The Dong is denominated in large nominal figures — transactions routinely involve hundreds of thousands of units — reflecting decades of inflation experienced during the postwar period before economic reforms (Đổi Mới) introduced in 1986 helped stabilize and modernize the country's economy. Foreign currencies, particularly the US dollar, are also widely accepted in tourist areas.
What language is spoken in Vietnam?
Vietnamese is the sole official language and is spoken by the large majority of the population. It is a tonal language written in a Latin-based script introduced during the French colonial period, replacing earlier Chinese-derived characters. French retains limited use as a legacy of colonization, while English has grown significantly as a second language, especially among younger generations in urban centers. Vietnam's central highlands and northern mountains are home to over 50 ethnic minority groups — often called Montagnards — who speak a range of Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian languages.
What is Vietnam known for?
Vietnam is internationally recognized for its cuisine — particularly dishes such as phở, bánh mì, and fresh spring rolls — which reflect a sophisticated balance of herbs, broth, and regional variation. The country is one of the world's leading exporters of rice, coffee, and seafood. Landmark sites including Ha Long Bay, Hội An's ancient town, and the imperial citadel of Huế draw significant global tourism. Vietnam is also noted for its complex modern history, including its successful resistance against French colonial rule and its prolonged conflict with the United States, which ended with reunification under communist governance in 1975.
Who are the ethnic minority peoples of Vietnam?
Vietnam's highlands are home to more than 50 distinct ethnic minority groups, collectively referred to as the Montagnards — a French term meaning "highlanders" — concentrated in the central highlands and the mountainous north. These communities speak languages from the Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian families and maintain distinct customs, textile traditions, and social structures that differ markedly from lowland Vietnamese culture. Bridging the development gap between these rural highland communities and Vietnam's rapidly urbanizing lowland population remains one of the country's significant social and economic challenges.

Last reviewed 2026

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