Vietnam

BY MAKARAND M. PATIL

Introduction to Vietnam
Population: 85 million, the 13th largest country in the world Capital: Hanoi Largest city: Ho Chi Minh City Government system: Socialist Republic Resources: Mostly rice (in both Northern and Southern Deltas) Motto: Independence, liberty, happiness

Flag of Vietnam

Hanoi

Hue

Ho Chi Minh City

History of Vietnam

History of Vietnam
From 207 B.C. to the 10th Century, under the rule of the Chinese dynasties From the 10th Century to the 19th Century, Vietnam experienced a period of independence. In the mid-19th Century, France colonised in Vietnam This continued until World War II--when Japan occupied Vietnam as a base for attacks against India. After World War II, Vietnam was split in to two separate countries, North Vietnam and South Vietnam, separated by a demilitarised zone, or an area where weapons and armed forces

Ho Chi Minh
Prime minister (1945 1955) and President (19451969) of the Democratic Republic (North Vietnam). Uncle Ho as he is called by Vietnamese, is both a national hero and much loved and admired citizen and scholar. His grave in Hanoi is an important monument for the Vietnamese, and millions travel across

People on mopeds and bikes in Hanoi pass by a sign (with Ho Chi Minhs picture) celebrating 60 years of the modern independent Vietnam.

Vietnamese Culture and Daily Life

Vietnamese Money
Vietnams money is called the dong. Even though Vietnam has its own currency, the US Dollar is still the most common form of money in the country-mostly because the dong cannot be exchanged, transferred, or used outside of Vietnam: it is embargoed currency.

Coat of arms, or official seal of Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh

A 500,000 Vietnamese Dong bill--the largest note in Vietnam. Its worth about $30.

Vietnamese Food
Vietnams food is a mixture of its occupiers and neighbours--France, China, Thailand. A traditional Vietnamese breakfast is a steaming hot bowl of pho, a thin noodle soup with chicken and mix of vegetables and spices. Food in the North tends to sweeter, while food in the South tends to be spicier.

Vietnamese City Life

City dwellers in Vietnam commute on mopeds or bikes more commonly than by car. Streets are usually one way, but have no traffic lights-which can make crossing the street a nervous experience! In Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, announcements over speakerphones wake up the citizens and call them to work and to have a successful day. Despite its rapid growth,Vietnam does not have a McDonalds. Ho Chi Minh City opened a KFC a few years ago, however.

Religion in Vietnam
Even though the government reports that most of the country, 80% or more, is not religious, this is not entirely the case. Today, Buddhism enjoys a large following in Vietnam, as well as several other tribal belief systems that have many similarities with other religions.

Arts and Crafts in Vietnam

Crafts, especially pottery, lacquer ware, and fabrics are very popular throughout the country. It is common to see street side vendors selling tea sets, plates, puppets, blankets, and chopsticks.