Description and attractions of Vietnam. Where is Vietnam? Geographical location of Vietnam Maritime boundaries and coastline

Of course, we cannot say that this is absolutely all of Vietnam, especially since we left one of the interesting regions (Sapa and the surrounding area) for the next time, but nevertheless, during this time we formed both a general impression of the country and recorded many details about the characteristics of Vietnam and the Vietnamese.

We regularly make notes about all the interesting facts both during preparation for the trip and, of course, during the trip itself, and now we have systematized our notes and present to your attention 90 facts about Vietnam that surprised us.

In many ways, these facts are based on our observations and this is the Vietnam that we saw. If your opinion on some points differs from ours, welcome to the comments!

1. Second place in rice consumption per capita is firmly held by Vietnam, losing first place to Burma. The average Vietnamese eats 169 kg (!) of rice per year, i.e. a family of two people needs almost a kilogram of rice per day. Well, you don’t even have to stutter about the variety of rice varieties (there are dozens of them here), or do you still think that there are 3-5 types :)?

5. Plastic trash can, which stands under every table - a mandatory attribute in very cheap local eateries. If this is not provided, then visitors simply throw garbage under the table. Also, the waiter, when clearing the table, can sweep the garbage directly onto the floor. We had previously seen the same habit of littering in local catering establishments only in


6. In the simplest cafes - “for locals” As a rule, there is no menu; there is a choice of 2-3 standard dishes (rice and noodles) with several variations.

7. In tourist places in Vietnam– complete culinary abundance. Any cuisine of the world, a large selection of seafood, coffee shops, in general, everything your soul and stomach desire. Of all the variety, we only tasted crocodile and frog legs, but here you can try almost any exotic meat - turtle, scorpion, ostrich, eat the heart of a snake or drink the blood of a cobra


8. Hot Pot is a popular tourist attraction in Vietnamese restaurants. A gas stove is placed on the table, and a pan of broth is placed on it, where the ingredients are added during the process either independently or with the help of a waiter.

9. Low, child-like chairs and tables right next to the roadway– another bright and memorable feature of Vietnamese catering. Moreover, decently dressed office employees can dine in such places.


10. Hanoi has, where instead of tables and chairs there are bathtubs with toilets, and food and drinks are served in mini-urinals and medical ducks :)

11. Vietnam is the largest exporter of dragon fruit (pitahaya)– we drove past huge, endless “cactus” plantations strewn with red fruits several times


12. Vietnamese money(dongs, 20,000 VND ~ $1 USD) are made of plastic (polymer money) - they do not get wet, do not tear and practically do not get dirty.

13. Vietnamese traders, for the most part, they didn’t seem very friendly to us. If they don’t understand something, for example, an order in a cafe or at a market, they will often simply brush it off, saying go ahead, and then they will delve into the situation and tell you something. Although if they still manage to sell their products to tourists, then they become more satisfied


14. In general, the Vietnamese– quite friendly and helpful people. They often look more gloomy than Thais, but when you communicate with them, they begin to smile widely

15. Vietnam ranks second in coffee production and exports(second to Brazil), and in terms of production and export of robusta - first. In 2012, Vietnam managed to overtake Brazil in total coffee exports, and this despite the fact that the total area of ​​Vietnam is almost 30 times smaller!

16. Coffee shop – this is a place where you can meet representatives of any segment of the local population. Absolutely everyone loves coffee, and is ready to drink it several times a day, sipping sip after sip for hours, at least that’s the impression we got.

17. At the same time, according to coffee consumption per capita, Vietnam is only in 93rd place (considering that Russia occupies 57th place, and the first, unexpectedly, is Finland). About 95% of the coffee grown is exported.

18. Vietnamese coffee– very tasty and aromatic, simply divine drink. We had never been fans of coffee before, but it was in Vietnam that we got hooked on it.

19. Traditional way of brewing coffee– using a special metal filter, which is installed directly on the cup. Ground coffee is placed in it and boiling water is poured, and the finished drink slowly, drop by drop, enters the cup, thus the brewing process is a meditative part of the coffee ritual


20. The coffee drinking process is also ritualistic.– despite the fact that only a small amount of the drink is strained through such a filter, a real Vietnamese can stretch it out for almost an hour, sipping it in small sips

21. This type of coffee is usually very strong.. Sometimes they drink it just like that, but more often - with condensed milk (milk/white coffee), and the amount of condensed milk and coffee turns out to be approximately the same

22. In the southern part of the country, by default, it is assumed that the coffee will be cold, with ice - this is how they are used to drinking it here. Therefore, if you want a hot drink, it is better to clarify this when ordering. Cold coffee is brewed in the same way, just then poured into a glass with ice.

23. When ordering coffee, Almost everywhere they bring green tea for free. Often - hot in the morning, and cold at lunch, with ice. Oh, how many dirty dishes are left after a very small company)). Guess how many people actually were at this table?

24. Shops and markets have a large selection of coffee by weight- both in grains and ground, in a wide variety of varieties. There are both pure varieties of Arabica or Robusta, as well as all kinds of mixtures; Luwak is also popular. Prices: 150,000 - 500,000 VND ($7.5-$25) per 1 kg. There is also tea and ground bitter cocoa.

25. As a decoration, on cafe tables, Instead of a vase of flowers, you can often see a pot of green rice sprouts

26. A typical Asian name for a cheap hotel is “guesthouse.”, which is so common among backpackers, is practically not used here - instead, “motel” is more often used. At the same time, compared to or, for the same money, you can get more decent accommodation here, for example, for $10/day you can rent a room with air conditioning, a refrigerator, a TV, wi-fi, a balcony, towels (which will also be changed every day ), hygiene items (soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes) and flip-flop slippers =)

27. Flip-flops – in Vietnam it’s not just women, but also slippers (they are also flip-flops, they are also flip-flops). They are so popular here that they are required in almost any hotel/guesthouse, and we most often came across blue ones, apparently this is the general standard. It is very convenient, especially when traveling light, to find flip-flops in your room - we wore them to the beach and took them on excursions to the islands and beaches.

28. Numbers that are called single here(single) are 30% cheaper than double, but are quite suitable for two, because the bed is still a double and all accessories (toothbrushes, towels, flip flops) are presented in duplicate. But this rule does not apply in expensive hotels (4* and 5*).

29. Standard practice when checking into inexpensive hotels- pick up passports and return them only after check-out; apparently, there are cases when guests leave in the morning without paying. Since we are very careful about our passports, we always tried to leave some other ID with a photo (for example, a water permit), but this does not work everywhere. In decent hotels they do not collect passports.

30. Guesthouses are often narrow buildings, one room-room wide, most often with balconies on the front side facing the road. The remaining rooms have windows to the side or no windows at all.

31. Often guesthouses, and houses in general, are built close to each other, so that common walls are obtained. From the outside it even seemed to us that there was one building in front of us, but in fact there were 4 different ones.


32. At night, motorbikes are driven into the lobby of guesthouses, and even quite decent ones - with marble floors, mirrored walls and antique furniture

33. Numbering of floors in buildings - as in, The traces of French colonization can be seen here. The lowest floor is ground, and then comes the first, second, etc. With the exception of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, buildings everywhere are mostly low - 4-5 floors, less often 7-8.

34. However, there are several places in Vietnam where you can see the city from above. In Hanoi, we climbed to the SKY72 observation deck on the 72nd floor and a 360-degree panorama of the entire city. In Ho Chi Minh City we went to the observation deck in the Bitexco Financial Tower building, and in Vung Tao we admired the city and the South China Sea from the statue, just like in Rio de Janeiro.

66. Ticket offices for many natural attractions(waterfalls, parks), they close at 4-5 pm, and daylight hours last until 6, so if you accidentally arrive at the place after the ticket office closes, you can save on entrance tickets - this happened to us a couple of times completely unplanned.

67. In Vietnam you can not only ride the elephants familiar to Asia, but also arrange an ostrich ride.

68. Vietnamese people love to swim, however, they hardly swim, but go waist-deep into the water and splash in the waves, and do this in clothes

69. They even snorkel with their clothes on, and even in life jackets

70. Due to the mountainous terrain, the climate in different regions of Vietnam varies significantly. For example, you can swim and sunbathe in Nha Trang, but having driven just 140 kilometers to Dalat, it’s great to freeze - early in the morning and after sunset, the temperature drops to +16.

71. Even at +20 it’s really cold here. When we had to ride a bike in the wind in T-shirts and light jackets, we were frozen, we even had a runny nose and a sore throat. Locals wear warm jackets and hats in this weather, and brag their heads in horror when we report that in Russia it can be -20 in winter))

72. Two-toed socks are popular among locals. so that even in cold weather you can continue to wear flip-flops instead of closed shoes.

73. In some cities, French architecture, embankments and streets, made us nostalgic for European travel, and Dalat, which is called the Paris of Vietnam, even has its own “Eiffel Tower”. There are flower beds on the streets, the city really resembles in some places

74. You can often see in cities neatly trimmed lawns, in the form of flowers, boats, teapots, etc.

Vietnam is a country in Southeast Asia, located on the Indochina Peninsula and washed from the east and south by the South China Sea. Officially the country is called the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The neighboring states of Vietnam are Laos and Cambodia, with which Vietnam borders in the west, as well as China, with which the border lies in the north. The country's total area is 331,212 square kilometers, which is only 65th in the world. B O Most of Vietnam is occupied by low or medium-high mountains and plateaus. The country's highest point is Mount Fansipan (3143 meters) in the Hoang Lien Son mountain range. In addition, the largest Indo-Chinese rivers, the Mekong and Hong Ha, flow through Vietnam and empty into the South China Sea.

For a long time, Vietnam was an Indo-Chinese colony of France and achieved independence only in the middle of the 20th century - this happened in 1945, although armed clashes continued in the country for several years. Vietnam was also the scene of a war with the United States from 1965-1973, which cost many lives on both sides.

Modern Vietnam is a socialist state that has chosen the Chinese version of development - modernization and liberalization of the economy. As of 2016, the population of Vietnam is 94,569,072 people.

Visa

To enter Vietnam for a period of more than 15 days, citizens of the Russian Federation must have a visa obtained from the Vietnamese consulate; they can also apply for a visa upon arrival.

In order to obtain a visa at the consulate, you need to provide the following documents: foreign passport (minimum validity period - 6 months from the end of the trip); 2 photographs measuring 4x6 cm; 2 forms filled out in Russian, English or French; invitation, travel voucher or reservation. The visa is issued within 5 working days and is valid for 30 days. In addition, there is a US$25 application fee.

When obtaining a visa directly at the border, at the Vietnamese airport, you need to provide 2 photographs measuring 3x4, one completed application form, as well as a visa permit from the Ministry of Public Security of Vietnam, which is issued within 5-7 working days. Upon arrival, citizens must go to the “Visa on arrival” window, and from that moment their vacation in Vietnam begins.

Among other things, the visa specifies the points of entry and exit through which a visitor to the country can cross the border. To change the specified location, you must contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. This service is subject to payment.

If the period of stay in Vietnam does not exceed 15 days, then Russian citizens do not need to apply for a visa. In addition, similar rules apply in neighboring Laos and Cambodia (in Cambodia, a visa can be obtained at the border without problems), so after a 15-day stay in Vietnam, you can go to one of the neighboring countries and then return again for 15 days. Often, when entering Vietnam for a period of less than 15 days, border guards may require you to present a ticket to leave the country - this is prescribed by the rules, but is not always followed.

Customs regulations

When entering Vietnam, certain customs regulations apply. Thus, you can import an unlimited amount of foreign convertible currency into the country, but if the amount exceeds 3,000 US dollars, then the currency must be declared, since no more than the amount that has been declared can be exported from the country.

You can also transport the following goods without paying duty: a maximum of 1.5 liters of strong alcohol or 2 liters of drinks with an alcohol content of maximum 22 degrees; either 400 cigarettes, or 100 cigars, or 500 grams of tobacco; 5 kilograms of tea; a maximum of 3 kilograms of coffee, as well as two cans of black or red caviar weighing no more than 100 grams. In addition, other goods are also transported, the total value of which does not exceed 5 million VND (Vietnamese dong).

As in other countries of Southeast Asia, the penalties for attempting to smuggle drugs are the most severe - up to and including the death penalty. In addition, it is strictly forbidden to transport medicines containing narcotic substances without having a doctor’s permission to use them, as well as explosives, firearms, products of a pornographic nature or that offend the local culture.

Current time in Hanoi:
(UTC +7)

Upon arrival, all tourists undergo sanitary and epidemiological control, and also fill out a Health Declaration on board the plane. If, when passing control, the visitor does not show any symptoms of diseases such as AIDS, plague, tuberculosis, cholera, yellow fever and others, then no problems will arise. Otherwise, the tourist will face treatment in one of the local hospitals, and not a full-fledged vacation in Vietnam.

How to get there

Getting to Vietnam from Russia is relatively easy - two airlines operate regular flights, but the list of Russian cities from which you can fly directly to Vietnam is limited to Moscow. But during the tourist season (winter months), charter flights are also operated from other cities, for example, from Yekaterinburg, St. Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk.

You can fly directly from Moscow to Hanoi on Aeroflot and Vietnam Airlines flights. Aeroflot flies daily, Vietnam Airlines - three times a week, on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Both Aeroflot and Vietnam Airlines operate direct flights from Sheremetyevo Airport to Hanoi Noi Bai Airport. The flight is very long, so passengers are provided with meals twice. Time in the air is 9 and a half hours.

You can also fly to Ho Chi Minh City from Sheremetyevo by Aeroflot without a transfer, on a direct flight. Travel time is approximately the same as to Hanoi.

From Vladivostok, Novosibirsk and Irkutsk you can fly non-stop to the resort town of Nha Trang using S7 aircraft.

Connecting flights

From Russia to Hanoi

• By Emirates airlines from Moscow and St. Petersburg with a transfer in Dubai.

From Russia to Ho Chi Minh City

• By Turkish Airlines from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg, Kazan, Samara and Ufa with a transfer in Istanbul.
• By Thai Airlines from Moscow with a transfer in Bangkok.
• Air China from Moscow with a transfer in Beijing.
• By Qatar Airways from Moscow and St. Petersburg with a transfer in Doha.
• By Korean Air airline from Vladivostok, Irkutsk, Moscow and St. Petersburg with a transfer in Seoul (Incheon Airport).
• By Japan Airlines from Moscow with a transfer to Tokyo (Narita Airport).

There are more complex options - with two transfers. However, during airline sales periods it makes sense to take advantage of them due to attractive prices. For example, you can get to both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with Air France from Moscow and St. Petersburg with transfers in Paris and Bangkok.

It is worth remembering that long flights are associated with a certain risk to the health of passengers who do not tolerate such stress well.

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Climate and weather in Vietnam

To ensure that your holiday in Vietnam is not spoiled by weather conditions, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the climate data for the country. Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate, so the humidity is quite high - an average of 84% throughout the year. However, the climate often varies markedly depending on the region. This happens due to the difference in latitudes and the relief features of a particular area. The winter dry season, lasting from November to April, is dry only in comparison with the rainy season, since even in these months there is sufficient rainfall, thanks to the monsoon winds blowing from the northeast coast of China. In the southern regions of the country it is quite hot in winter - about 25 degrees, while in the north it is on average 10 degrees colder. The lowest temperatures are in December and January, sometimes reaching only 1 degree above zero. In any case, it is most comfortable in the south of the country, where in any season the temperature rarely drops below 20 degrees, and in April - the hottest month - sometimes even reaches 37 degrees.

Average annual rainfall ranges from 1200-3000 millimeters per year, with 90% percent of all rainfall occurring between May and October. At this time, each region of the country receives its share of precipitation, but in the winter months in the south of Vietnam the probability of rain is much less than in the north. It is also worth knowing that at the end of summer and beginning of autumn there comes a time for typhoons, often with truly destructive power.

Cities and regions

Vietnam consists of 59 fairly small provinces, plus there are 4 centrally controlled cities - the cities of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Haiphong and Da Nang. The most economically developed provinces are located in the northeast of the country, which is not so popular among tourists, as well as in the south of the country near Ho Chi Minh City.

Administrative divisions of Vietnam

Provinces of Vietnam

Main cities and islands of Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnam's largest city and the country's economic capital. There are a lot of industries developed here; It is estimated that 40% of Vietnamese exports come from Ho Chi Minh City. The city was founded by French colonialists in 1874 (the official founding date is March 15, 1874). Until 1975, the city was called Saigon.

Nha Trang

The city of Nha Trang is the capital of Khanh Hoa province and at the same time the capital of beach holidays in Vietnam. Simply the most popular resort in the country. Nha Trang is home to about 200,000 people, and almost the entire life of local residents is connected with the tourism industry.

Ha Long

Halong is called both a city and a bay. The city itself is nothing special, and the real pearl of this area and all of Vietnam is Halong Bay. This bay is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Surprisingly, over an area of ​​1,500 square kilometers, more than 1,600 islands and rocks of various shapes, sometimes very bizarre, are scattered, making the bay more reminiscent of a fairy tale than a real place. It's no surprise that Ha Long Bay is one of the most visited places in Vietnam.

Phu Quoc

The Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc is located in the Gulf of Thailand just 15 kilometers from the shores of neighboring Cambodia. The island, whose area reaches 567 square kilometers, is also called the “island of 99 mountains.” Fukuoka is home to 85,000 people, mostly engaged in tourism services or agriculture.

What to see

By following the links in the text, you can get more detailed information about a specific object (description, location on the map, cost of entrance tickets, opening hours, ways to get there, photographs, tourist reviews, etc.). If you are interested in the sights of Vietnam in general, without dividing into cities, there is a special section for this.

Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh City

In Ho Chi Minh City you can see many interesting buildings - colonial buildings, Notre Dame Cathedral, Buddhist temples and pagodas, the Presidential Palace, mosques and much more.

In addition, from Ho Chi Minh City itself you can easily get to the neighboring province of Tay Ninh, where many beautiful Cao Dai temples are located, as well as the Mekong Delta region.

As for attractions, in the central part of the city there are several very interesting places for tourists. And if you come to Ho Chi Minh City in the summer, from mid-May to the end of August, you can find "Southern Fruit Festival", held here every year.

Nha Trang

Among the attractions of Nha Trang, one should highlight the Long Son Pagoda, behind which on the top of the hill there is a large stone statue of Buddha seated on a lotus flower. You can also look at the 13th-century Cham towers, which were built during the era of the Champa state. There is also the opportunity to sail on an excursion to Monkey Island, located 12 kilometers north of Hon Che Island. The excursion includes a cruise around the islands, fishing, visiting the Bajo waterfall, mud and mineral springs, and local craft villages. If you wish, on the island you can visit the Dog and Monkey Circus, the Elephant and Bear Circus and much more.

Ha Long

A mandatory item on the program is a trip on a boat or some other vessel around the islands. At the pier in the city you can find out in detail about all possible routes, which can be both short and long and even include an overnight stay on the ship. A typical excursion includes a visit to a fishing village on one of the islands, a cave, and an island named after German Titov, the famous Soviet cosmonaut who vacationed here in the 70s. You can also go night fishing directly from the boat, which, however, must be booked in advance. But then you can enjoy the taste of your own catch! Popular islands in Ha Long Bay are Tuan Chau and Cat Ba Islands.

Phu Quoc

Phu Quoc has a large number of beautiful beaches, stretching from the town of Duong Dong to the town of An Thoi. The island has many beautiful hills and mountains covered with tropical forest. In addition, in Phu Quoc you can watch the sunset on the sea, which is not possible in other resorts in Vietnam that face the east.

Vietnam resorts

Tourists in Vietnam, first of all, will be interested in its numerous beaches and warm sea, and only then the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and everything else. There are plenty of resort towns in the country. Of course, not all of them correspond to the European level of quality, equipment and infrastructure. It is noteworthy that the resorts stretch along the entire coast of Vietnam - from the southern island of Phu Quoc to the resort of Mong Cay in the north of the country.

The waters of the South China Sea are quite salty - saltier than in the neighboring Gulf of Thailand, but at the same time healthier. At the confluence of rivers (especially the Mekong and Red) the water is fresher.

Attractions

Museums and galleries

Entertainment

Parks and Recreation

Leisure

Transport

Shops and markets

Wellness holiday

Private guides in Vietnam

Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Vietnam in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.

Getting around the country

In Vietnam, all modern types of transport can be found and used in varying quantities - from domestic aircraft to intercity buses and taxis. Some of them are very well developed, some are not well developed, but in some cases they can be irreplaceable. In any case, it is possible to get to even remote places in Vietnam, even if you have to make several transfers from one type of transport to another or, say, from one bus route to another.

The following types of transport are developed in the country: air transport, railway transport, buses, water passenger transport and various types of taxis. You can find recommendations for traveling in the country and learn more about each type of Vietnamese transport in our special material “Transport in Vietnam: from a scooter to an airplane.”

Communication

Vietnamese is a member of the Viet Muong group of the Australasian language family and is the mother tongue of the Viet and Kinh people. Neighboring China has had a great influence on the Vietnamese language and culture: two thirds of the words in the Vietnamese language are of Chinese origin.

It is very convenient for tourists that instead of hieroglyphs in the Vietnamese language, the Latin alphabet is used, although with the addition of diacritics to the vowels under or above the letter, which indicate a particular tone. Due to the fact that Vietnamese speech has a huge number of tones and semitones, it is very difficult to perceive it by ear. At the same time, the Vietnamese themselves have problems with the correct pronunciation of European words. It is often very difficult to understand what a Vietnamese person is saying in English.

English is the most common foreign language among local residents, which, however, is not surprising. It is studied at school, at universities, in courses, etc. Also in educational institutions in Vietnam, Chinese is taught - the second most popular foreign language after English. English and Chinese are followed by French, Russian and German, but they are much less common. Thus, Russian is most often known by adults who studied at universities in the USSR, as well as Vietnamese traders who returned from Russia, but their level of language proficiency is very low. Recently, due to the growing number of tourists from Russia in resort areas, local residents are slowly beginning to master the Russian language.

Culture

Vietnamese culture throughout its centuries-old history has been subject to numerous influences from its powerful neighbors or mother country, but each time melting them into something original and unique in its own way. India and China play a special role in the development of Vietnamese culture. China introduced more than half of the words and hieroglyphic writing into the Vietnamese language (replaced by the Latin alphabet in the 20th century), and Confucianism and elements of Taoism into the culture. In addition, in the Middle Ages the influence of Indian culture was noticeable, and subsequently, after the colonization of Vietnam by the French, also French. This was reflected, in particular, in the architecture of many cities, especially Ho Chi Minh City. In the second half of the 20th century, with the communists coming to power, many cultural elements began to be borrowed from the Soviet Union.

Vietnamese literature has a rich history - from ancient folklore, including the legend of the Dragon Sovereign Lac Long Quan, the Muong epic “The Birth of Water and the Birth of the Earth” to books of the 20th century, similar in theme to European literature. In modern times, the most significant writers in the history of Vietnam worked - Nguyen Chai in the 15th century, Nguyen Binh Khiem in the 16th century and Nguyen Du at the turn of the 18th-19th centuries. Nguyen Chai is one of the first major Vietnamese writers, as well as an outstanding statesman and philosopher. Nguyen Binh Khiem was an outstanding poet, close in worldview to Taoism, and Nguyen Du, who wrote the poems “The Lamentations of a Tormented Soul” and “The Story of Kieu,” is as significant a figure in Vietnam as Pushkin in Russia.

Vietnamese folk music is quite original. There can be a surprising number of vocal genres, and among the main musical instruments one can highlight the amazing disc-like guitar, which can be either four or five strings, as well as dan there (three-string guitar), dan ni (violin with only two strings ) and om dit is a Vietnamese bamboo flute.

Theater is popular in Vietnam, presented in several interesting genres. Teo is an ancient folk theater that at one time originated among peasants living in the Red River Delta. Today it exists in Thai Binh and Hai Hung provinces. Theatrical performances include folk music and the use of traditional folklore stories.

Vietnamese opera is called Tuong. Tuong originated in the courtly atmosphere and is considered a high theater genre that combines dance, music, mime, poetry, acrobatic arts and much more. By the way, there are no decorations on the stage, and a heroic character is always at the center of the performance.

Particularly interesting is the water puppet theater, which simply has no analogues in the world. It also originated in the Red River Delta. The dolls move through the water during sunset, and all the action is accompanied by pleasant melodic music. The puppets are controlled by actors standing waist-deep in water, hidden behind a bamboo screen, so that they have the opportunity to observe the puppets. The performances begin with the appearance of a boy doll, Teu, saying: “Hello everyone! I probably don’t need to introduce myself?”

Kitchen

Vietnam is a paradise for foodies. The culinary traditions of this country amaze with their richness and variety of dishes and ingredients. Many recipes were borrowed from China, India and France, but in no case can we say that Vietnamese cuisine is a clone of any of them.

The use of a variety of sauces and seasonings is common in Vietnamese cuisine. In dishes prepared, by the way, only from fresh ingredients, seasonings from garlic, onion and ginger root are often added, as well as purely Vietnamese sauces “nuoc mam” and “nuoc cham”. Various herbs and even bamboo are very popular in Vietnam, the young shoots of which are readily eaten.

The most popular foods used in Vietnamese cuisine are rice, seafood, pork, noodles, herbs and more.

It is especially worth paying attention to rice. This crop is one of the symbols of all of Southeast Asia, and Vietnam is the second largest exporter of rice in the world. In addition, Vietnam refused to grow genetically modified rice, so there is no doubt about the quality of the product. In every Vietnamese family, rice is the main dish on the table, but besides this, it is part of countless of the most amazing and original recipes.

Vegetarian cuisine is also developed in Vietnam, which is explained primarily by Buddhist gastronomic traditions. Vietnamese non-meat dishes include rice with fried dou fu bean curd and rau vegetables. In general, soybeans and products made from it in Vietnamese cuisine replace dairy products, which are practically not used among the Vietnamese. There is, for example, a special soy milk called sya-dau-nan. Soy sauce is very popular.

Various fruits that grow in abundance in Vietnam are widely used. These are coconuts, durian, guava, lemons, lychee, Java apple, Siamese persimmon, papaya, rambutan and many other exotic fruits.

As for meat dishes, the Vietnamese usually eat the familiar beef, pork and poultry. Various insects or reptiles are now considered rare delicacies that are not served in any restaurant.

In general, Vietnamese cuisine is rich in exotic meats. For example, you can try boa constrictor meat, which is considered extremely healthy. Or try a snake dish, which is a whole ritual-like action that can truly shock the especially impressionable. The waiter makes a small incision on the still living snake, then removes the heart from it and drains the blood. The person who ordered the dish eats a beating snake heart and drinks rice vodka mixed with snake blood. Afterwards, vodka is used, mixed with snake bile. After some time, the finished dish is served - snake meat, fried with spices and nuts. The head of the snake is cut off during cooking so that the poison cannot get into the dish.

Other exotic dishes include dishes made from field rats, dogs, cats (although there is an official ban on their use) and many other amazing ingredients.

Purchases

Shopping is an essential part of any vacation. In some places it is so developed that there seems to be nowhere to develop further, and in other places, in terms of purchases, things are not going well. Vietnam is somewhere in the middle, with a tilt towards the first group. Shopping here is not at the same level as in neighboring Thailand, but with the growing number of tourists there are good reasons for quality development. Moreover, Vietnam has a lot to offer its guests.

Connection

For calls to other countries in Vietnam there are special call centers, as well as street payphones. Hotel residents have the opportunity to make calls directly from there, but this is quite expensive.

The international code for Vietnam is 84.

• To call from Vietnam to Russia you need to dial: 007 - area code - subscriber number
• For calls from Russia to Vietnam you need to dial: 8-10-84 - area code - subscriber number

Major city codes

• Hanoi - 4
• Ho Chi Minh City - 8
• Haiphong - 32
• Da Nang - 511
• Hue - 54

There are no problems with cellular communications, since all three largest Russian operators - MTS, Beeline and Megafon - have agreements with Vietnamese companies. Vietnamese operators: MobiFone, VinaFone, S-Fone, G-Tel, Vietnamobile, Viettel Mobile. A SIM card from a Vietnamese operator costs about $5, which includes 30 minutes of talk time.

You need to be careful if you are dealing with local “priestesses of love”, who are often not averse to profiting from their clients’ wallets. Foreigners can only gamble in special establishments, and an attempt to involve local residents in them can result in criminal prosecution. Anything related to drugs - storage, distribution, use - is punished especially severely. In this case, the most severe punishments are applied, up to and including the death penalty. This is a traditional practice in Southeast Asian countries.

Tourists should exercise discretion while on vacation. In particular, this applies to drinking alcohol, since an “overdone” tourist in Vietnam can easily get into trouble, become a victim of robbery, etc. When swimming, you should watch out for the ocean surf, which can become a source of danger. Between September and November, Vietnam is frequently hit by typhoons and severe flooding in some areas of the country.

As for health issues, before arriving in Vietnam you need to take care of the issue of obtaining health insurance (regular or extended). You can also pay a fee to International SOS and use their medical services at their offices in Vietnam. The address in Hanoi is 31 Hai Ba Trung in the central part of the city. Phone - 9340555.

In the Vietnamese province, sanitary conditions are not very good - both in local hospitals and in hotels. Doctors' services are paid almost everywhere only in cash, and treatment under insurance policies is carried out only in some metropolitan clinics. However, it is worth noting that prices in Vietnam are lower than in neighboring Thailand.

You need to be careful when ordering Vietnamese cuisine, which is quite unusual for Europeans due to its spiciness, abundance of spices and exotic products. If you overestimate your strength, then problems with the stomach and intestines are likely.

Where to stay

Vietnam will delight all visitors with a large selection of accommodation options - there are not just many hotels and guesthouses, but also a wide range of prices, and the level of service is quite high. In addition, Vietnamese hotels have a unique Asian flavor that adds color to the entire vacation. In total, there are approximately 11 thousand hotels in Vietnam, but they do not experience a serious shortage of guests.

Cheap accommodation options are 2- and 3-star hotels, which are of the same quality as Turkish 3- and 4-star hotels, so many experts rightly note that the class of Vietnamese hotels is somewhat underrated. 2-star hotels are usually located in old 4-6-story buildings, well decorated inside. The rooms have a bath or shower with hot water, air conditioning, satellite TV and even a minibar. three-star hotels occupy more modern and larger buildings, and the level of service and equipment in them is quite high. Prices in hotels of 2 and 3 star categories are approximately 15-40 dollars per night.

An even more budget-friendly option are guesthouses, the prices of which are often below $10, and their number in tourist places is truly enormous. In Ho Chi Minh City, for example, many guesthouses and cheap hotels can be found in Pham Nu Lao, considered a backpacker's area. True, it is not a fact that cheap guesthouses and hotels will have hot water.

In resort cities, in particular in Nha Trang, accommodation will most likely cost more than in the capitals. Many tourists come to these cities who have little understanding of the intricacies of the Vietnamese tour business and, moreover, are able to easily part with large sums of money. For such tourists, there are luxury 4 and 5 star hotels with their own swimming pools, private beaches, etc.

For more budget-conscious Vietnamese beachgoers, there are plenty of bungalows available. True, the amenities in them are minimal, and besides, if the walls of the bungalow are bamboo, then mosquitoes can fly inside through the existing cracks. However, anti-mosquito ointments may well correct the situation. In any case, the most vivid memories of a holiday in Vietnam almost always remain!

Vietnam is famous for its heavenly beaches, and go there primarily for their sake. However, this paradise will also appeal to diving enthusiasts - diving here is one of the cheapest in the world, but at the same time it is organized perfectly, and there are interesting dive sites, and you can dive throughout the year, just changing resorts.

Those who like excursion holiday, will appreciate the richness and preservation of historical monuments. There are medieval imperial citadels, French colonial quarters, and partisan catacombs from the Vietnam War. And the natural beauty of such a small country amazes with its grandeur: the giant Mekong Delta, the largest cave in the world, Son Doong, and the bay of 3000 Ha Long Islands. Makes a great holiday seasoning local kitchen with a pleasant French accent.

Tours to Vietnam

Popular resorts

Vietnam on the map is stretched along the meridian with a winding line. At the top, in the north, is the country's capital -. In the center is the ancient capital of Hue, popular among lovers of excursion holidays.

Beach resorts begin a little further south, in Nha Trang, the most famous and popular of them. Even further south follow, especially suitable for surfers and kiters. Below begins the Mekong Delta, as well as the “Paris of the East”, the industrial and tourist center -.

In the extreme south of the country, the sea gives way to the Gulf of Thailand. In it, at the very borders of Cambodia, is located the largest island of Vietnam. Paradise beaches with white sand and coconut palms should be looked for there, on its western shore.

Hotels

The level of hotel service in Vietnam is very high: even 3-star hotels in their comfort and quality of service are close to the European “fours”. And local “fours” and even more so “fives”, especially when it comes to historical hotels, are real luxury.

Animation for children, children's clubs and special entertainment programs are not yet available in every resort hotel; information about them must be clarified in advance. Also, not all hotels operate in the all-inclusive format, which, by the way, is not so much in demand. At Vietnamese resorts, you don’t want to sit in a hotel around the clock when there is so much interesting and tasty food around.

You can come to Vietnam without even booking a hotel in advance. In large tourist centers you can always find available rooms right on the spot.

Tours to Vietnam

Prices for tours for 2 people for 7 nights with departure from Moscow are given.

Weather

Currency

The national currency of Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong. Its cost is such that you should have banknotes of 50,000 and 20,000 dong with you as “changes” to pay for a pedicab (“siklo”) or buy a glass of freshly squeezed juice. The largest bill is half a million dong.

It is best to take with you on a trip U.S. dollars: you can pay with them here as freely as with the national currency. The euro has no such circulation.

Visa

Visa to Vietnam need not for Russians who are going to come for a period of up to 15 days.

Those who plan to stay in the country longer need to obtain a visa. It can be single or multiple, but in both cases it is issued for a period of 1 or 3 months. To obtain a visa, you need to collect a package of documents and contact the consular department of the Vietnamese Embassy. The visa is issued within 5 - 7 working days. However, you can also apply for a visa on arrival at any of the main airports in Vietnam. It's both faster and easier.

Round-trip flights to Vietnam

Prices for tickets per person departing from Berlin are shown.

What to bring from Vietnam

Even by the standards of Southeast Asia, prices in Vietnam are very low, so no one comes from here without souvenirs. Russians often bring tropical fruits, medicinal artichoke tea and coffee from Vietnam, including such an exotic and expensive variety as “kopi luwak”: it is also cheaper here than, for example, in Vietnam. Snake wine and medicinal tinctures for snakes, scorpions and other poisonous creatures have become souvenir classics. Men consider them beneficial for their health.

Women love Vietnamese island pearl jewelry and silk clothing. On vacation, many even order the national women's Ao Dai costume, which consists of a long silk shirt and trousers, from local dressmakers. A traditional conical hat made from palm leaves goes perfectly with it.

General information about Vietnam

The official name is the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV). Located in the eastern part of the Indochina Peninsula. Area 331,690 km2, population 80 million people. The official language is Vietnamese. The capital is Hanoi (3.3 million people, 2001). Public holiday - Independence Day on September 2 (since 1945).

Member of the UN (since 1977), ASEAN (since 1995), APEC (since 1998), etc.

Geography of Vietnam

Located between 8°10' and 23°24' north latitude and between 102°09' and 109°30' east longitude. From the east the country is washed by the South China Sea, from the west by the Gulf of Thailand. The length of the sea coast is 3960 km. The territory of Vietnam includes islands located in the South China Sea and the Gulf of Thailand, incl. part of the Paracel and Spratly Islands. The largest of them (km2): Phu Quoc (568), Cat Ba (180), Con Dao (50).

In the north, Vietnam borders with China (border length - 1300 km), in the west - with Laos (650 km), in the southwest - with Cambodia (930 km). From north to south the country stretches for 1650 km, from east to west: 600 km in the north, 400 km in the south and approx. 50 km in central Vietnam.

The western and interior regions of Vietnam are occupied by the mountains and plateaus of the Yunnan Plateau. The Truong Son ridge stretches from north to south for 1,400 km. A narrow lowland runs along the coast. In the north and south there are two plains formed by the deltas of the Red and Mekong rivers, the area of ​​which is 15 thousand and 40 thousand km2, respectively.

The rivers belong to the South China Sea basin. Their total length is 41 thousand km. The largest rivers (km): Red (1149, in Vietnam 510) and Mekong (4220, in Vietnam 220). The most important lakes (ha): in the south - Darlak (1 thousand), in the north - Baba (500), in Hanoi - Western (466).

The subsoil is rich in minerals: coal, oil, natural gas, iron ore, manganese, copper, etc. The most significant reserves are coal - 12-15 billion tons, apatite - up to 1 billion tons. Real oil reserves are estimated from 2.5 to 3.5 billion tons, natural gas - from 600 to 1200 billion m3. Hydropower resources are estimated at 80 billion kWh.

Land fund 33.2 million hectares. Agricultural lands occupy 7.5 million hectares (21% of the total territory). Four types of soils predominate: red earth and basalt 16 million hectares, alluvial 8.6 million hectares, sierozems 2.5 million hectares, rocky soils of high mountain areas 3.3 million hectares.

The climate is subtropical and subequatorial, formed under the influence of dry northeastern monsoons from mountainous regions and humid southwestern winds from the sea. Summer, when the air flow from the ocean predominates, is the rainy season. Winter, when air currents rush from land to sea, is the dry season. The average temperature of the warmest month (in the north - June, July, in the south - April) is approx. 29°C; the coldest - from 15°C in the north (January) to 25°C in the south (December). The average annual precipitation in the northern regions is up to 2830 mm, in the southern regions - up to 1600 mm.

There are 289 families, 1,850 genera, and 7,000 plant species in forests; 1000 species of birds, 300 mammals. Along the coastline there are almost 1000 species of fish (catch 600-700 thousand tons per year) and other valuable seafood. 500 thousand tons of salt are produced per year.

Population of Vietnam

According to the 1999 census, the population of Vietnam was 76.3 million people. Compared to the previous 1989 census, the population increased by 11.9 million people. The birth rate in 1989-99 was 1.7%, in 2002 1.31%. Infant mortality 42 people. per 1000 newborns. Average life expectancy (2002) 68.2 years, men 65.5 years, women 70.1 years.

The percentage of migration of the rural population to cities in 1989-99 was 3.2% annually. In 1999, 23.5% of the country's population lived in cities, in 2002 - 25%. Sex ratio: 51% women and 49% men. The retirement age (only public sector workers in cities) for men is 60 years, for women - 55 years.

Literacy rate - 91% (in 1989-88%).

Vietnam is a multinational country, with 54 nationalities and nationalities living in it. Actually, the Vietnamese (Viet, or Kinh) make up 87% of the population. They live mainly in the deltas of the Red and Mekong rivers, in the coastal regions of Central Vietnam. The Chinese population in Vietnam is 4%. Of the nationalities, the most numerous are the Tay, Thai, Muong, Hoa, Khmer, Nung - St. 1 million people each. The smallest nationalities - Brau, Roma, Odu - number several hundred people.

The national language is Vietnamese, spoken by St. 90% of the population. Ethnic minorities, while maintaining their own language, use Vietnamese in interethnic communication.

There are 6 officially recognized religions in Vietnam: Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism, Islam, Caodaism and Hoa Hao. According to official data, the country has approx. 7.5 million Buddhists, while 85% of the population consider themselves followers of this religion, approx. 5 million Catholics, 500 thousand Protestants, 150-170 thousand Muslims.

History of Vietnam

The oldest state association on the territory of Vietnam arose in 2 thousand BC. In the 3rd century. BC. it was called Aulak. This civilization in the 2nd century. BC. was captured by the Han Empire. In 938, the Vietnamese achieved independence and ended. 10th century formed the independent state of Dayco Viet (Great Ancient Viet), from 1069 - Day Viet (Great Viet).

In the 11th-14th centuries. Dai Viet is one of the largest states in Southeast Asia. In the 13th century Dai Viet was invaded three times by Mongol troops, but the people defended their independence. In the beginning. 15th century The Ming dynasty ruling in China enslaved Dai Viet. As a result of the popular liberation movement (1418-27), the Chinese were expelled from the country. In the 16th-19th centuries. The Vietnamese State is declining and is actually falling into two parts. In con. 18th century The uprising of the rural and urban lower classes under the leadership of the Teishons eliminated the power of the warring feudal factions and removed the Le dynasty from power. In 1786, the Teishons united the country, and in 1789 they defeated the troops of the Qing dynasty. In 1802, the Taishon state fell. The power of a new dynasty was established - Nguyen (1802-1945). In 1804 Dai Viet was renamed Vietnam.

The colonization of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and ended by 1884. The surrender of Japan in 1945 created favorable conditions for the successful implementation of the August Revolution. On September 2, 1945, in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, on behalf of the provisional government, proclaimed the creation of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV).

In March 1946, France recognized the independence of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, and in September of the same year launched a colonial war against it, which lasted 8 years until the defeat of French troops near Dien Bien Phu in May 1954.

In accordance with the Geneva Agreements (July 1954), Vietnam was divided into two parts along the Ben Hai River, south of the 17th parallel. In October 1955, the South Vietnamese authorities, in violation of the Geneva agreements on holding general elections, proclaimed the Republic of Vietnam in the south. From that moment on, the United States began to openly interfere in the affairs of Vietnam.

In 1965-73, the US Armed Forces took a direct part in operations against the liberation movement in southern Vietnam and waged an air war against the Democratic Republic of Vietnam. Having failed to achieve the desired results, the United States was forced to sign an agreement in Paris on January 27, 1973 to end the war and restore peace in Vietnam. Having lost American support, the Saigon regime fell in the spring of 1975. On April 30, 1975, Saigon was liberated.

On April 25, 1976, general elections were held to the National Assembly of a united Vietnam, which adopted a decision on July 2, 1976 on the reunification of Vietnam and the creation of Vietnam.

The first steps towards the transition from a centralized economy to a market economy were taken in Vietnam back in 1979. As a strategic course covering almost all spheres of society, the policy of renewal began after the VI Congress of the CPV in 1986.

1980-90s became a period of fundamental qualitative changes in the economic and socio-political development of Vietnam. The disruption of traditional economic ties that followed the collapse of the USSR, as well as stagnation in Vietnam itself, confronted the country with the need to develop its own development strategy.

From the beginning 1990s Vietnam demonstrates strong economic growth at 6-8% per year. Vietnam manages, with varying degrees of success, to solve economic and internal political problems and feel very comfortable in the regional community.

The policy of renewal opened a qualitatively new stage in the life of society. From a semi-feudal and semi-socialist state, Vietnam entered the 21st century. with its own development model and its own ambitions. Currently, Vietnam maintains diplomatic relations with 167 states.

Government structure and political system of Vietnam

Vietnam is a parliamentary republic. The Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is in force, adopted on April 15, 1992, the fourth after the 2nd World War (1946, 1959, 1980).

Currently, there are 57 provinces in Vietnam, four cities of central subordination (million people): Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (over 5), Haiphong (1.7) and Da Nang (0.7).

Vietnam's political system is defined in the preamble of the Constitution: "The Party leads, the people rule, the State governs." The Communist Party of Vietnam is the only party occupying a leading position in the country's political system.

Relying on the authority of the ruling party since 1945, the leadership of the CPV at the VI Congress in 1986 initiated radical changes, proclaiming a policy of “renewal”. Currently, the CPV has St. 2 million people General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee - Nong Duc Manh, elected at the IX Congress of the CPV in April 2001.

The principle of public administration is revealed in the Constitution: “All power in the country belongs to the people, who exercise it through the National Assembly, People's Councils at all levels, elected by the people and responsible to them.”

The National Assembly (NA) is a unicameral highest representative body that exercises legislative power, decides the main issues of domestic and foreign policy of the state, and exercises supreme control over the activities of all state bodies. Elects from among the deputies the Standing Committee, the President and Vice-President, the Council of Ministers (government), the Chairman of the Supreme People's Court, and the Prosecutor General of the Supreme People's Prosecutor's Office. Consists of 498 deputies elected from administrative-territorial units and from socio-political organizations and unions. Elected for 5 years, its sessions are held 2 times a year. More than 90% of NA deputies are members of the Communist Party of Poland.

All citizens of Vietnam who have reached the age of 18 have the right to vote, and from the age of 21 - to be elected to the National Assembly. At the 1st session of the 11th convocation (July 2002), Nguyen Van An was elected Chairman of the National Assembly.

The Standing Committee of the National Assembly (SC NS) is a body that constantly operates between sessions of the NS.

The President of Vietnam is the head of state and represents Vietnam in the international arena. He is elected by the National Assembly for 5 years from among the deputies, and is responsible and accountable to the National Assembly. Promulgates legislative acts and gives them interpretation, proposes to the National Assembly the candidacies of the vice-president, the chairman of the government, the chairman of the Supreme People's Court and the prosecutor general. In accordance with the decision of the National Assembly or the PC, the National Assembly declares martial law, general or partial mobilization, etc. The President exercises overall command of the Armed Forces and heads the National Defense and Security Council. The President of Vietnam, Tran Duc Luong, was elected to this post in September 1997 and re-elected in July 2002.

The Council of Ministers is the government of Vietnam, the highest executive and administrative body of state power. Accountable to the National Assembly, and in the intervals between sessions - to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly and the President of Vietnam. The government includes 20 ministries and 6 government agencies with the status of ministries. The term of office of the head of government is 5 years. Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Vietnam - Phan Van Khai - elected in September 1997, re-elected in July 2002.

The local government system corresponds to the administrative division of the country. Each administrative unit has a government body elected by the local population - the People's Council. Term of office of the People's Councils of provinces and cities

central subordination and equivalent administrative units - 4 years. The term of office of the remaining councils is 2 years. The executive bodies of the People's Councils and local administrative authorities are the People's Committees.

In general, the political system can be characterized as a party-state system. All legislative, executive and judicial bodies function under the leadership of the CPV.

The Fatherland Front of Vietnam (created in 1977) unites all social and political organizations of Vietnam, as well as associations of Vietnamese living abroad. It includes: the CPV, the Federation of Trade Unions, the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, the Vietnamese Women's Federation, etc.

The main objective of Vietnam's foreign policy is declared to be the creation of favorable external conditions for socio-economic development and the implementation of a course towards the transition to a market economy. It is built on the principles of independence, measured openness, involvement in the activities of regional structures and multilateral organizations, balanced relations with leading powers and world political and economic centers.

Since 1995, Vietnam has been actively involved in ASEAN activities and has been the author of initiatives that have received the support of ASEAN members. In particular, he proposed the Asia-Europe Dialogue Program (ASEM) and successfully held the ASEAN Summit in Hanoi in December 1998, during which the Hanoi Declaration and the Hanoi Plan of Action were adopted. Vietnam and other ASEAN countries have prepared a “code of conduct” in the South China Sea region and entered into negotiations with the PRC to sign this document.

Vietnamese-Chinese relations were normalized in November 1991. The leadership of Vietnam and the People's Republic of China are of the opinion that the armed clashes of 1979 should not be repeated under any circumstances. On October 19, 1993, an agreement was concluded on the principles of resolving border disputes, of which the most important are: guidance by international law, renunciation of the use of force and unilateral actions. In accordance with the agreement, an agreement on the demarcation of the land border was signed in December 1999. In December 2000, the countries entered into an Agreement on Boundary Delimitation in the Gulf of Tonkin and on Fisheries.

Vietnamese-American relations are becoming increasingly intense. Vietnam regards the active participation of the United States in regional affairs as a positive factor, which is a reflection of the existing balance of power in the Asia-Pacific region. In July 2000, a trade and economic agreement was signed with the United States (ratified in late 2001), providing for the provision of most favored nation treatment to Vietnam.

In September 2000, the Prime Minister of Vietnam Phan Van Khai made an official visit to the Russian Federation. A package of agreements was signed on the payment by Vietnam of a debt to Russia in the amount of $1.7 billion over 23 years on the principles of the Paris Club of creditors. An important event in Vietnamese-Russian relations was the visit to Vietnam of Russian President V.V. Putin in March 2001. The heads of countries signed the Declaration on the Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the Russian Federation.

The emphasis in building a modern Vietnamese Armed Forces is on creating small, well-equipped and trained regular forces, a large strategic reserve and a contingent of paramilitary forces. The share of military spending in GDP fell from 17% in 1990 to about 6% in 2002. In absolute terms, military spending fell from $2.5 billion in 1990 to $1.8 billion in 2001. The policy has been in place since 1985 reduction in the total number of the army. In 1985 it numbered 1260 thousand people, in 2001 - 484 thousand people. (Ground forces 412 thousand, Air Force 30 thousand, Air Defense 15 thousand, Navy 42 thousand). The number of strategic reserves (people's self-defense forces and people's militia, coast guard) is estimated at 4-5 million people.

Vietnam has had diplomatic relations with the Russian Federation since 1991 (established with the USSR in 1950).

Economy of Vietnam

GDP in 2002 grew by 7.2% (6.8% in 2001, 6.6% - average annual growth for 1990-2002) and amounted to 35.28 billion US dollars (in 2001 - 32 billion). GDP per capita US$441. Gold and foreign exchange reserves 2.1 billion US dollars (2000). Working population: 40 million people. The unemployment rate in the country as a whole is 6.13%, in rural areas - approx. 5.5% (2001).

In the structure of GDP, there is a general trend towards a decrease in the share of agricultural production and growth in industry and services: agriculture 22.99%, industry and capital construction 38.55%, service sector 38.46%. The public sector in the GDP structure is 40%, non-state 47%, foreign investment sector 13% (2001).

Vietnam was the only country in Southeast Asia to emerge unscathed from the 2001 recession, largely due to rising domestic consumption. GDP growth in 2002 was also determined by this factor. Investment, especially in the private sector, boomed and was equivalent to 1/3 of GDP. The number of new private enterprises increased by 17% to 20 thousand, and the total number was 60 thousand. Investments in new small and medium-sized enterprises in the private sector reached $2.7 billion.

The main driver of development was the industrial sector, with growth of 14.4% per year due to expanding demand for consumer goods. The apparel industry is booming due to duty-free access to the US market. Growth is also driven by increased local private and foreign investment, while public sector investment has remained constant.

Inflation, according to official Vietnamese data, was 4%, according to the World Bank - 8% (2002).

Industry is the most dynamically developing sector of the national economy. In 2001, the increase was 15.4% in the public sector (central state enterprises - 13.1%, local industry - 11.8%), in joint ventures with foreign capital 20.3%, in the industry of key economic regions 12.1 %. The sector's focus is on manufacturing, consumer goods and export goods.

K con. 1990s the number of state-owned enterprises decreased from more than 12 thousand to 5.8 thousand. This process continues to this day. Of the total number of state-owned enterprises in 2002, 3,000 were unprofitable.

The pace of development of agricultural production, including forestry and fishing, remains at a stable level. In 2002 they amounted to approx. 5%, in fishing and seafood production - 14%. The most important food crop is rice, which is harvested 2-3 times a year. Vietnam not only fully meets its needs for rice, but is also one of its largest exporters (after Thailand and the USA).

The basis for the stable development of this industry is that individual peasant farms have been providing 95% of the industry’s output in recent years. In 2001, food production exceeded 30 million tons.

Highways number approx. 60 thousand km, including: state highways - 12 thousand km, interprovincial roads - 15 thousand km and interdistrict roads - 25 thousand km. 25% of state highways are paved. The main highway - Highway No. 1 (2300 km) runs from the northern border with China to Cape Kamau - the most extreme point in the south of the country.

K con. 1990s the length of railway lines exceeded 4 thousand km. The main North-South highway (length 2000 km). The Hanoi-Beijing railway route has been restored. Preparations are underway to open the international route “Vietnam - China - Mongolia - Russia”.

The country has more than 40 thousand large and small navigable rivers and canals. There are 17 ports on the sea coast. The largest are Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang and Cam Ranh. Almost 1/2 of maritime cargo traffic passes through Haiphong.

Large state and foreign investments have been made in the modernization of civil aviation. The air fleet serves 17 domestic routes with a length of 62.5 thousand km. The main volume of traffic falls on the Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City route. There are 3 international airports: Noi Bai in Hanoi, Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Bai in Thua Thien-Hue. Flights from these airports operate mainly to countries in Southeast Asia, as well as to Europe. In 2002, an agreement was reached between Vietnam and the United States to establish the Ho Chi Minh City - San Francisco - Ho Chi Minh City air route.

Modern communications in the country are represented by 2 ground-based space communication stations “Lotos-1” and

"Lotos-2", providing telegraph, telephone and teletype communications with 56 countries of the world.

New communication services such as facsimiles, mobile phones, paging, e-mail, and urgent domestic and international information networks are becoming increasingly widespread. In 1999, there were 3.2 telephones per 100 residents of Vietnam; in 2002, this figure increased to 4.25.

The service sector grew by 12% in 2002. Here the main attention is focused on the development of the transport industry, means of communication, trade, tourism, banks, technology, and the legal framework. Passenger transportation volumes increased by 4.6%; cargo transportation grew by 7.2%.

In 2000, trade accounted for 75.2 thousand billion dong (share in the service sector - 71%, growth - 7.4%), the hotel and restaurant business - 12.8 thousand billion dong (share - 12.1%, growth - 12.2%), for tourism and service enterprises - 6.2 thousand billion dong (share - 5.9%, growth - 10.7%).

For various reasons, the tourism business in the country is developing slowly. In 2001, 2.33 million foreign citizens visited the country (in 2000 - 2.14 million), incl. 1.319 million tourists, 439.7 thousand people. on a business visit, 478.6 thousand people. to visit relatives and 93.5 thousand people. for other purposes.

In the monetary system, the leading role is played by the State Bank of Vietnam and St. 60 state-owned commercial banks. These are Vietcombank, which serves export-import financial flows, the Industrial and Commercial Bank, specializing in lending to industrial and commercial enterprises, the Agricultural Bank, which finances the agricultural sector, the Investment and Development Bank (Vietindebank), which lends to long-term investment projects, and a number of others. The banking system includes as well as other joint-stock commercial banks. In general, state-owned banks control 80% of the country's financial market, 12% are accounted for by “semi-autonomous” financial institutions (joint and private), and the remaining 8% are banks with foreign participation.

Currently there are 4 joint banks, approx. 60 representative offices and 20 branches of 50 largest foreign banks and financial organizations. Vietnam maintains business contacts with the World Bank, IMF, ADB, etc. Leading financial institutions have their representative offices in foreign countries. All R. 2002 The first representative offices of Vietcombank and Vietindebank were opened in the United States.

The state budget in 2002 was executed in terms of revenues of 19.94% of GDP, in terms of expenses - 22.47%, deficit - 2.53%. Domestic investment in the economy amounted to 66.7% (in 2000 - 82%), foreign investment - 33.3%. Of domestic capital investments: 56.8% are public, 43.2% are mixed and private. The country's external debt is $13.3 billion (or 37% of GDP). According to IMF criteria, Vietnam is considered a creditworthy payer.

The dong was devalued in 2002. The dong exchange rate is 15,400 dong to 1 US dollar.

The influx of annual foreign direct investment amounted to 2.2 billion US dollars, incl. $1.6 billion for the construction of small and medium-sized industrial facilities. To the beginning 2002, 3044 joint projects with foreign participation and an authorized capital of 37.6 billion US dollars were registered, incl. 1,459 projects with a capital of $20.6 billion have been implemented, 769 projects ($11.1 billion) are in the process of implementation. During this time, 399 thousand jobs were created.

The official development assistance program continues to be implemented. In 2002, within its framework, loans worth $2.4 billion were allocated to boost the economy, improve the standard of living of the population and fight poverty. The total amount allocated for this program since 1993 has reached $20 billion, half of which has been used.

Despite Vietnam's obvious success in economic modernization in 2002, improvements in living standards and income growth have been slow. Wages for public sector workers remain low - 210 thousand VND per month (approx. 14 dollars). Since January 2003, it was increased to 290 thousand. Average income per capita amounted to 331 thousand dong per month (an increase of 12% compared to 1999). According to the State Bank of Vietnam, the total savings of the population amount to approx. 30 trillion dong. The poverty level in 2002 was 32% of the total population and 10% below the absolute poverty line, 90% of the population with minimal income lives in rural areas.

Increasing foreign economic activity is one of the most important priorities of the Vietnamese leadership.

Vietnam's exports in 2002 amounted to 16.53 billion US dollars (in 2001 - 13.596 billion). Main export goods (%): oil (share of total exports 20), garments (16), seafood (12), shoes (11), rice (4), coffee (2), other goods (35). The growth in exports was achieved due to an increase in the export volumes of rubber, handicrafts, seafood, clothing and footwear. There has been a noticeable reduction in supplies of oil, rice, vegetables and electronics abroad. Exports were sent (%) to: Japan (15), USA (15), China (9), Australia (8), Singapore (6), Taiwan (5), Germany (4), South Korea, UK, France (by 3), to other countries (29).

Imports in 2002 amounted to 19.3 billion US dollars (16.816 billion in 2001), the foreign trade deficit was 2.77 billion dollars. Main imported goods (%): machinery and machines (19), fuels and lubricants (10), fabrics ( 9), rolled steel (7), clothing (5), cars, electrical equipment, fertilizers (2 each), other goods (44).

Labor exports in 2002 amounted to approx. 50 thousand people per year, mainly to Malaysia (approx. 30 thousand), South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and the Middle East.

Vietnam's flexible approach to the entire range of relations with China made it possible to restore mutually beneficial trade and economic relations with this country. Currently, China's investments in Vietnam are carried out in 41 projects with a total value of $70 million. Trade turnover in 2002 amounted to 3.5 billion US dollars (in 2001 - 2.8 billion). During the visit of Chinese President Jiang Zemin to Hanoi in February 2002, the parties expressed their intention to increase trade turnover between the countries in 2005 to $5 billion.

Trade and economic relations with Japan are developing successfully. This country provided Vietnam with $8.2 billion in official development assistance in 1992-2002. Japan also remains a key trading partner of B. In 2002, trade turnover between the countries reached $5 billion.

The ratification of the trade agreement with the United States in December 2001 was of fundamental importance for the expansion of foreign investment and foreign trade of Vietnam. The foreign trade turnover of the two countries in 2002, according to preliminary data, amounted to approx. $2.5 billion. Exports to the United States doubled in 2001-02, reaching $2 billion per year. At the same time, the export of garments increased 18 times. The USA is becoming the largest market for Vietnamese goods: in the first two months of 2003, exports to the USA reached $590 million, i.e. increased by 350% compared to the same period in 2002. The volume of American investments is estimated at approximately $1 billion. They are concentrated mainly in industrial production, real estate, and oil and gas development. The industrial and hospitality sectors account for 82% of all US investments and 37 ongoing projects.

Trade turnover between the Russian Federation and Vietnam in 2002 amounted to approx. $500 million. The basis of economic cooperation between the two countries is the sphere of fuel energy and arms supplies. The Russian Federation ranks 8th among more than 60 investor countries. An example of successful cooperation is the activities of the Vietsovpetro joint venture on the Vietnamese shelf.

Currently, Vietnam maintains trade and economic relations with 100 foreign countries, St. 60 foreign companies have their representative offices here.

Science and culture of Vietnam

Vietnam is carrying out profound transformations in the field of education and science. Fundamental changes in these areas, according to the Vietnamese leadership, will help Vietnam achieve its strategic goals - to modernize the country, integrate into the world economy and become a full member of the world community.

A radical restructuring of the education system is underway, both in form and content. Paid education is being introduced in secondary and higher public schools, and the creation of private schools and universities, centers and courses for the training and retraining of management personnel is being stimulated. There is a process of “commercialization” and “marketization” in the curricula of secondary and higher schools.

Currently there are approx. 16 thousand primary and secondary schools, in which 19.9 million schoolchildren studied in the 2001/02 school year. In addition, there are more than 700 specialized schools and colleges (2 million students), 247 vocational schools and technical schools (about 200 thousand students). In Vietnam approx. 100 universities (6 private), where they train in 200 specialties (650 thousand students).

There are 170 research and development bureaus employing 30 thousand scientists. Here the emphasis is on studying leading branches of science, such as high technology, computer science, biology, and new materials.

The country has established the National Center for Natural Sciences and Technology and the National Center for Social Sciences and Humanities. In 1996, the first “Vietnamese Encyclopedia” was published, including almost 40 thousand articles prepared by the efforts of 1,300 Vietnamese and foreign scientists.

Nowadays in Vietnam there is St. 6 thousand doctors and candidates of science, 1.27 million graduates of institutes and colleges and 14 thousand people. with postgraduate education.

The distinctive national culture has a rich heritage with centuries-old traditions - festivals, music, dance, folklore, theater, fine arts, etc. Nowadays, perceiving the riches of modern world culture, it acquires new content and national flavor.

Vietnamese theater includes traditional genres such as Teo (folk theatre), Tuong (classical theatre), Cail Luong (renovated theatre) and Ca Hue (Hue songs). These genres harmoniously combine music, singing, recitative, recitation, dance and facial expressions. The modern genre of kit noi (drama theater) is of European origin, but it is filled with national content and has firmly entered the cultural life of society.

There are 2,446 public libraries and reading rooms in the country with 17.2 million copies. books. Average attendance - 15 million people. in year.

After the restoration of peace in 1954, the History Museum, the Revolution Museum and the Army Museum were established in Hanoi. The Museum of Fine Arts was opened in 1965. On May 19, 1990, the Ho Chi Minh Museum was opened to mark the centenary of the birth of the first Vietnamese president. There are also the Oceanological Museum in Nha Trang, the Cham Museum in Quang Nam Province and the Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi. In total, there are 285 museums and exhibition centers in the country. International organizations contributed $420,000 to help preserve and restore Hanoi's ancient streets, the mausoleums of the last Nguyen dynasty emperors in Hue and the ancient city of Hoi An.

Wood carving, lacquer, silk and oil painting, rice straw products and handicrafts remain very popular in Vietnam. The most ancient form of Vietnamese painting is lubok - paintings painted with water paints on silk or specially treated paper. Hanoi luboks are made by contour printing from wooden cliches followed by coloring.

The earliest works of literature that have reached us date back to the 10th century. For many centuries, two literatures developed in parallel in the country, one in Chinese, which was then the literary language, the other in Tyinom, the transcribed national language. Liquidation at the beginning 20th century the traditional education system, the replacement of hieroglyphs with Latinized Vietnamese writing, and the development of printing created the conditions for the birth of modern Vietnamese literature.

In 1945-75, Vietnamese literature mainly focused on glorifying the heroism of the people and mobilizing the masses to fight against external aggression and for national reunification. After 1986, literature reflects the course of the country's renewal. The stories, novellas and novels cover previously taboo subjects about losses and sacrifices in war, about the negative phenomena of modern everyday life, such as corruption, dishonesty, wastefulness. Such works attract the attention of readers at home and abroad. Many of them have been translated into English, French, Chinese, Russian, Japanese and other languages.

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Vietnam is often called the land of fairies and dragons - according to ancient legends, all Vietnamese consider themselves descendants of the marriage of a Fairy and a Dragon. The Fairy was in charge of industry - she taught people how to produce silk, and the Dragon showed children the wisdom of agriculture. Since then, the Vietnamese have prospered in both directions.

The name of the country is translated as “the country of the Southern Vietnamese (the name of the nation), but the country was called Annam until 1945, and the name Vietnam was used only in poetic speech. The new name was immortalized by Emperor Bao Dai.

Geographical characteristics

The state, elongated in the shape of the letter “S”, is located in Southeast Asia, in the east of the Indochina Peninsula. Neighbors to the west are Laos, Cambodia and China.

The coast of Vietnam is washed from the east and south by the South China Sea and Bac Bo Bay; the small southwestern tip has access to the Gulf of Thailand.

The area of ​​Vietnam is 329.6 thousand square meters. km. The capital of the state is Hanoi. Political system - socialist republic. The state is officially headed by the Communist Party.

Nature

More than 80% of the country is mountainous, descending with access to the sea. The highest point in the country is Mount Fansipan, 3143 meters high. The hill is located in the north-west of the country, in the Hoanglien Son mountain range. The Truong Son Mountains stretch along the western border of the country, separating Vietnam from Laos and China.

The central and southern parts of Vietnam are occupied by basement and basalt plateaus, on which several frozen volcanoes rise. The area between the volcanoes is covered with forest, and in the craters of some volcanoes lakes have formed, giving rise to several rivers of the Mekong River basin...

There are more than 2,000 rivers in Vietnam of varying depths and sizes (the smallest reaches only 10 meters in length). The largest rivers in Vietnam - the Mekong and Hong Ha (Red River) - flow into the South China Sea.

The Mekong Delta is one of the largest and deepest deltas in the world. On the territory of Vietnam, the area with a delta forming nine branches (“Nine of the Dragons”) even acquired special economic importance - the Vietnamese settled here for the first time, began to develop the wetlands, and began to raise fish in canals and man-made ponds.

In the Hong Ha River delta, on the Bac Bo Plain, stands the capital Hanoi. The territory is marked by the highest population density.

The country's largest lake, Hoan Kiem, is an oxbow lake formed as a result of changes in the course of the Red River. The lake has great cultural and historical significance for the people. It is also called the Lake of the Returned Sword: according to legend, one of the ancient rulers of Vietnam defeated the Chinese armies with a accidentally found sword that belonged to a magical golden turtle. After the victories, the turtle came out of the waters of the lake and took the sword.

To the north of the capital there is a chain of picturesque Ba Be lakes. Lakes Pelam, Pelu and Peleng are surrounded by waterfalls and caves...

The coast of Vietnam is washed by one sea - the South China Sea, it is semi-enclosed and belongs to the basins of the Indian and Pacific oceans and has the properties of both oceans.

The largest island in the South China Sea is Hainan. The area is comfortable for tourist holidays, as the sea here is clean and warm. However, there are many predatory fish and dangerous sharks in the sea. The sea is also rich in commercial fish species - tuna, herring and sardines are found here in abundance...

Some unique plants of Vietnam have become national symbols of the country: for example, bamboo, red and black sandalwood.

In Vietnam there are animals listed in the Red Book, which are almost not left in the wild in other parts of the world - these are the Asian buffalo, Javan and Sumatran rhinoceroses. Endemics (animals that live exclusively in a specified territory) are several species of monkeys, rodents and bats. The Asian elephant, black gibbon, and Indochinese tiger are considered rare species preserved in Vietnam. Animals live both in the wild, in protected reserves, and on special farms...

Due to the elongation of the country from north to south, the climate of Vietnam is heterogeneous, although in general the country is located in the subequatorial monsoon climate zone. In the south, winter is dry and hot (temperatures reach 26 degrees Celsius), in the north it is colder, but humid and mild (up to 15 degrees Celsius). Summer is the monsoon season throughout the country; the end of summer is usually marked by destructive typhoons.

There are frosts in the mountains; on the borders with China, from where cool air penetrates, temperature drops of up to 1 degree Celsius have been recorded...

Resources

The industrial centers of Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang - are located in Central and Southern Vietnam. Industry is represented by metallurgical, mechanical engineering, construction, chemical fields, and light industry. Electronics and components, production of textiles and leather, glass, jewelry and cosmetics were exported to the world. A special branch of the economy is the global production of electricity thanks to an extensive network of hydroelectric power stations.

The fertile basalts of the area contribute to the successful growth of crops in tropical and temperate latitudes, so agriculture has developed greatly on the plateaus of Vietnam - this cluster employs 50% of the country's population. Mainly rice, tea and coffee are grown; the production of cashew nuts, spices, tropical fruits is highly developed...

Culture

The indigenous population of the country is the Viet (Kinh), and 54 other nationalities are recognized as related to them in the country. In the south, most of the population is Khmer (Lower Viet). There is a large proportion of Chinese, Polynesian, Malay and Thai populations.

Vietnamese has the status of the state language. More than 85% of the population professes Buddhism, and the religions of these national minorities, atheism, Christianity are also present...