Vietnam offers a variety of landscapes, fascinating historic sites and stunning cultural diversity.

GEOGRAPHY
Vietnam is located on the eastern seaboard of the Indochina peninsula, sharing common borders with China in the north, and Laos and Cambodia in the west. To the east and south lies the South China Sea, which the Vietnamese call the East Sea. Mountains and hills cover four fifths of Vietnam's territory with the Truong Son range stretching over 1,400 km. Mount Fansipan (3,142m) is the highest peak on mainland Southeast Asia.

The most populated areas in Vietnam are the Red River Delta and the Mekong Delta, which form around Vietnam's two largest rivers. Vietnam's 3,444 km coastline features beautiful beaches like Tra Co, Lang Co, Nha Trang, Vung Tau, and Ha Tien. National parks include Ba Vi, Cat Ba, and Cuc Phuong in the north, Ke Bang, Bach Ma in the center, and Cat Tien in the south.

RESOURCES
Minerals: coal, iron, aluminum, tin, and oil. Agricultural and forestry products: rice, maize, sweet potatoes, peanuts, soy beans, rubber, lacquer, coffee, tea, tobacco, cotton, coconut, sugar cane, jute, and tropical fruit.

CLIMATE
Vietnam's climate varies a great deal from north to south. Northern Vietnam has four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. In the north, summers are hot, while winters are cool and misty. Southern Vietnam is hot year-round, with temperatures typically varying by just three degrees Celcius. Tropical monsoons occur from May to October in the north and south, and from September to January in the centre.

ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISIONS
Vietnam has 64 provinces, including five municipalities (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Haiphong, Can Tho, and Danang).

HISTORY
Vietnam's history can roughly be divided into the following periods:

• Pre-history: From circa 400,000 years (Paleolithic) to 4,000 years (Neolithic) ago, cultures in the area included Son Vi, Hoa Binh, Bac Son, Ha Long, and Hoa Loc.
• Proto-history: According to legends, Vietnam originated in the seventh century BC when the Hung Kings founded Van Lang. In the third century BC, King An Duong Vuong named founded Au Lac and ruled until 179 B.C.
• Chinese Occupation: Vietnam was occupied by China from the first to the tenth century AD.
• Monarchy: Kings ruled the area from 968 to1945.
• Independence: The Socialist Republic of Vietnam was founded after the 1945 revolution, when President Ho Chi Minh declared independence.
• French War: Vietnam battled French colonialism from 1858 to the August Revolution in 1945 and from 1946 to the victory at Dien Bien Phu in 1954.
• American War: Vietnam fought America from 1954 to Ho Chi Minh's victory on April 30, 1975.
• From 1975 until now: Vietnam has been working towards development and success.

ETHNIC GROUPS
There are 54 ethnic groups living in Vietnam, The Viet (or Kinh) people account for 88% of Vietnam's population and are mostly concentrated in the lowlands. Most of the country's 5.5 million ethnic minority peoples live in mountainous areas. Major groups include the Tay (960,000 people); the Nung (152,000 people); the Thai (770,000 people); the Muong (700,000 people); the H'mong (441,000 people); the Dao (340,000 people); the Hoa (930,000 people); the Khmer (720,000 people); the Bana (100,000 people); the Giarai (184,000 people); and the Ede (140,000 people).

RELIGIONS
Major spiritual influences in Vietnam include Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism, and native religions (Ancestor, Mother Goddess Worship). Christianity arrived in the late 18th century and now has the second largest religious following, after Buddhism. Other religions practiced include Islam and Cao Dai, with higher concentrations in the South.

VIETNAMESE LANGUAGES AND SCRIPTS
More than 80% of the population speak Vietnamese (or Kinh), the national language. Ethnic minorities have native languages. Three scripts have influenced Vietnam's history:
• Han (Chinese) ideograms were used until the beginning of the 20th century.
• The Nom script, created between the 11th and 14th centuries, is based on the Han script.
• European missionaries in the 17th century used the Roman alphabet to record the Vietnamese language and created Quoc Ngu script. After independence in 1945, Quoc Ngu was developed and used as the official national language.

BUSINESS HOURS
Government offices and museums open early, around 8am, and close between 4pm and 5pm. Avoid doing business from 11.30am to 2pm, when many people are either at lunch or napping.

CURRENCY
The currency in Vietnam is the dong (VND), which currently trades at about VND 17.500 to the US dollar. US dollars remain widely accepted at hotels, but you should have local currency for use in-taxis and shops. Credit card acceptance, especially for Visa, is spreading in higher-end hotels, restaurants, and shops in big cities. For cash advances, usually at a rate of three percent commission, go to ANZ Bank, 11 Me Linh Square, D.1, HCMC (Tel: 829 9319) or ANZ Bank, 14 Ly Thai To St., Hanoi (Tel: 8258190). Some travel cafes provide cash advances at higher rates, their advantage being that they stay open late and on weekends. ANZ and Vietcombank have ATM machines that dispense only dong. Do not accept torn or soiled bills as you may have trouble spending them.

ELECTRICITY
Vietnam uses 220V electricity nationwide. In the South, outlets are often US-style flat pins. In the North, many outlets fit round pins. As the electrical current varies, use a surge protector when running sensitive electronic equipment like laptops.

HOTELS & REGISTRATION
There is a wide range of accommodation available in Vietnam's major cities. Hanoi and HCM City feature a choice of five-star hotels, while guesthouses and mini-hotels offer no frills rooms for around US $30. As hotels and private hosts must register your presence with the police, you'll be expected to hand over your passport.

SAFETY
While Vietnam is one of the safest countries in Asia, you should take care with your possessions. Secure your valuables, documents, and credit cards in your hotel's safe. Beware of pickpockets, purse-snatchers, and mobile phone thieves, especially in HCM City if you choose to drive a motorbike or ride a bicycle, by law you must wear a helmet. 

TELECOMMUNICATIONS
Many hotels, especially up-market ones, add extra fees. Check the rates before dialing. One long-distance service offers a flat fee of around US $0.75 per minute to 50 countries; dial 171 followed by the number. Public phones require phone cards, which are available at post offices. To rent a mobile phone call 3821 8465 in Hanoi and 38242382 in HCMC. Faxes can be sent from hotels, business centers or post offices. Hanoi and HCMC also offer dozens of internet cafes.

VISAS
Tourist visas are generally valid for 30 days. Should you wish to extend your visa, go to the immigration office at 40A Hang Bai St in Hanoi, Tel: 38266200. Many tour operators can also extend your visa for a fee.

PRICE GUIDE
In Vietnam, be prepared to bargain. To give you an idea of where to start, we suggest the following prices:

TRANSPORT
Xe om (motorbike taxi): 10,000 VND/km
Public bus: 3,000VND/ride

GROOMING
Shoeshine: 5,000VND/pair
Hair wash: 15,000 VND
Street Haircut: 6,000-10,000 VND
Street-side laundry (giat la): 3,000 VND/item

FOOD
Pho (beef noodle soup): 20,000 VND/bowl
Plain baguette: 2,000 VND/loaf
Bananas: 1,000VND/each

RAIN GEAR
Plastic rain poncho:
3,000 VND for thin
30,000 VND for thick

KEY CONTACTS
PHONE NUMBERS
Exit code: 84
Operator: 110
Police: 113
Fire: 114
Enquiries: 116
Information: 1080
Info center: 1081
Medical aid: 115