Guide to Vietnam

Full name: Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Population: 83.6 million (UN, 2005)
Capital: Hanoi
Largest city: Ho Chi Minh City
Area: 329,247 sq km (127,123 sq miles)
Major language: Vietnamese
Major religion: Buddhism
Life expectancy: 68 years (men), 72 years (women) (UN)
Monetary unit: 1 dong = 100 xu
Main exports: Petroleum, rice, coffee, clothing, fish
GNI per capita: US $620 (World Bank, 2006)
Internet domain: .vn
International dialling code: +84
Flying time: 17 hours from UK
Currency: New Dong
Time Difference: GMT+7
Weights & Measure: Metric
Climate: The south has two seasons: the wet (May to November, wettest from June to August) and the dry (December to April). The hottest and most humid time is from the end of February to May. The central coast is dry from May to October and wet from December to February. The highland areas are much cooler than the lowlands, and temperatures can get down to freezing in winter. The north has two seasons: cool, damp winters (November to April) and hot summers (May to October). There is the possibility of typhoons between July and November, affecting the north and central areas.

11 October 2007