Vietnam is a nation with thousand years of a glorious history. Archaeological artifacts of the Phung Nguyen, Dang Dau, Go Mun and Dong Son cultures, especially the Ngoc Lu bronze drums have proved that Vietnam sheltered a developed civilization even before Christ (Dong Son culture). Besides, the vestiges of the historic period of the Hung Kings have revealed that Vietnam was one of the first countries to be formed.
Vietnam’s history can be divided into three periods: ...
- Northern Kingdom’s domination ( 208 BC – 939 AD): This period lasted 1,000 years
and one of the fiercest period of hardship experienced by the different tribal people
in Vietnam’s history.
- Nation construction and defense for Independence (939 – 1945): This period was a brilliant era of national revival and development. It was marked by the glorious victory of the Vietnamese people against the aggressors.
- National Independence and socialism (1945 till nowadays): The revolution succeeded in August 1945 under the leadership of Ho Chi Minh and the Vietnamese Communist Party. The country proclaim its independence on September 2, a date that later become Vietnam’s National Day. During the following years, the Vietnamese people continued to resist and protect their independence. Vietnam has been unified since the great victory over the Americans in Spring 1975. The Socialist Republic of Vietnam was proclaimed with Hanoi as its capital.
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is among the most beautiful countries in Asia. It lies between China at the north border, Laos and Cambodia at the west borders, and the East Sea and Pacific Ocean at the east and south border. It occupies a very central position in the middle of Southeast Asia and constitutes a bridge linking Southeast Asia’s mainland together. Vietnam’s territory stretches from Lung Cu village (Ha Giang province) in the South. The country’s total length is 1,650 km from the northernmost point to the southernmost. Besides, it has thousands offshore islands, the biggest of which are the Hoang Sa (Parcel) and Truong Sa (Separately) Archipelagos. Vietnam’s mainland cover 329,566 sq km (128,527 sq mi). Its coastline is 3,260 km long and its inland borderline stretches on 4,510 km.
Climate
Vietnam lies in the East Asian monsoon zone and its tropical climate is determined by two monsoons. The rainy season lasts from May to October and the dry season last from November to April. The average temperature in the north is around 130C to 170C with occasional drizzling rains, during the winter, and its ranges from 270C to 340C during the summer. In the south of Vietnam, the climate undergoes less variation with an average annual temperature of about 270C in Ho Chi Minh City.
People
The Vietnam population is about 83 (according to 2004 year) and is made up of 54 ethnic groups. The largest group is the Viet or Kinh, according for 80% of the whole population. They generally concentrate in the lowlands, while other minorities live in the highlands and mountains.
Culture
Four great philosophies and religions have shaped the spiritual life of the Vietnamese people: Confucianism, Taoism, Buddhism and Christianity. Over the centuries, Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism have melded with popular Chinese beliefs and ancient Vietnamese animism to form what is known as Tam Giao (or “Triple Religion”)
Vietnamese (Kinh) is the official language of the country, although there are dialectic differences across Vietnam. There are dozens of different languages spoken by various ethnic minorities and Khmer and Laotian are spoken in some parts. The most widely spoken foreign languages in Vietnam are Chinese (Cantonese and Mandarin), English, French and Russian, more or less in that order.
Popular artistic forms include: traditional painting produced on frame-mounted silk; an eclectic array of theatre, puppetry, music and dance; religious culture; lacquerware and ceramics.