Capital of Vietnam: tours. Holidays in Vietnam Armed forces, police, state security agencies
Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Viet-nam means "country of the southern winds".
Capital of Vietnam. Hanoi.
Vietnam Square. 332,000 km2.
Population of Vietnam. 79939 thousand people
Location of Vietnam. Vietnam is a state in the Southeast, in the east of the Indochinese Peninsula. In the north it borders with, in the west - with and. In the southwest, east and south it is washed by the waters of the Gulf of Thailand.
Administrative divisions of Vietnam. It is divided into 52 provinces and 3 cities of central subordination.
Form of government in Vietnam. Republic.
Head of State of Vietnam. President elected for a term of 5 years.
Supreme Legislature of Vietnam. Unicameral National Assembly, whose term of office is 5 years.
Supreme executive body of Vietnam. Government.
Major cities in Vietnam. Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh.
State language of Vietnam. Vietnamese.
Religion in Vietnam. 55% of the population profess, 12% - Taoism, 10% - Catholicism, 23% - Islam, Protestantism, paganism.
Ethnic composition of Vietnam. 88% - Vietnamese, 12% - Chinese, Muong, Thai, Meo, Khmer, Man, Cham.
Currency of Vietnam. Dong = 100 su = 100 hao.
Flora of Vietnam. About 40% of the territory is covered with tropical. Above 600-700 m in the north and 1000-1200 m in the south, pine and broad-leaved trees (oak, beech, chestnut) grow in mixed tropical forests. Bamboo is common along the rivers. Significant areas, especially in, are covered; mangroves are found in the south.
Fauna of Vietnam. The animal world is represented by elephants, deer, bears, tigers, leopards. Among the small ones, the hare, squirrel, and monkey are especially widespread. A variety of birds and reptiles are observed. Of the latter, crocodiles, lizards and snakes live here.
Vietnam is one of the oldest countries in Asia. The state is located in the eastern part of the Indochina peninsula. Vietnam has a favorable geographical position: a narrow strip of the country's territory stretches from north to south along the coast of Bacbo Bay and the South China Sea. Vietnam's neighbors are Laos and Cambodia in the west, China in the north.
The first mention of Vietnam dates back to the second millennium BC. But the legends say that the Vietnamese are the descendants of the dragon emperor Lac Long and the fairy bird Au Ko, who fell in love with each other with an unearthly love. To this day, Vietnam has preserved its original culture with ancient temples and millennial traditions. At the same time, many things in this country may seem painfully familiar to Russian tourists - from red flags to pioneers in ties. True, socialism does not prevent Vietnam from being a very attractive tourist destination. Amazing nature, magnificent beaches, a rich excursion program, modern comfortable hotels and amazing friendliness towards travelers from Russia - not every country can boast of such a set of tourist advantages, but Vietnam has it all.
Capital |
Hanoi |
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Population |
90.5 million people |
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Population density |
273 people/km² |
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Vietnamese |
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Religion |
local animistic beliefs (80.8%), Buddhism (9.3%), Catholicism (6.7%) |
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Form of government |
one-party unitary socialist republic |
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Vietnamese dong |
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Timezone |
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International dialing code |
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Domain zone |
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Electricity |
220V or 110V, 50 Hz |
Climate and weather
A pleasant feature of the climate of Vietnam is that at any time of the year in the country you can find a place where the weather will be truly resort.
The best place to visit in the south of Vietnam December to April. At this time, the weather here is mild and pleasant without the aggressive sun. The air temperature varies from +21°C in January to +30°C in April. Rain season begins in May and lasts almost until October: sudden heavy rains occur almost every day, but do not last more than 15-20 minutes.
It is optimal to go to the central part of the country in March - June. The fact is that from July to November typhoons, rains and fogs are not uncommon here, and in the winter months the sea is very restless. But in spring the weather is comfortable (on average +26 °C) and there is a lot of sun.
In the north of Vietnam, humid hot summers and cool winters (+15 °C). Frosts in winter occur only in the mountains. The rainy season runs from May to October, so the ideal time to visit the northern regions of the country is April-May and October-November, when there is almost no rainfall and the water in the sea is warm.
Nature
The landscape of Vietnam is very picturesque. This is a country of mountain ranges and uplands, which are replaced by spacious plains with lush vegetation. The highest mountain in Vietnam Fansipan(3145 meters). The delta of the rivers is an amazingly beautiful place. Mekong And Hongha. The Vietnamese believe that it is from here that all life on earth originated.
Vietnam is famous for its forests - fragrant evergreen jungles. Valuable trees grow here: sandalwood, brown lim tree, bamboo, iron and mahogany. Of the useful plants, a special place is occupied by cardamom, anise, cinnamon and, of course, ginseng.
It is impossible not to admire the wildlife of Vietnam. Here you can meet elephants and rhinos, wild cats and leopards, tigers, bears, antelopes, wild bulls and deer. Numerous subspecies of monkeys, lemurs, panthers live in the jungle. There are about 400 species of birds and many species of reptiles in the country. Every year on the territory of Vietnam, scientists discover new subspecies of animals, fish and birds, and even, what is especially interesting, animals that were considered extinct long ago.
Attractions
There is a lot to see in Vietnam. Worthy of admiration are the temple complexes of ancient civilizations, and the most beautiful national parks, and even architectural monuments of the socialist era. It is interesting to visit not only the capital of Vietnam Hanoi, but also in Ho Chi Minh City and in the city-museum Hoi An, in resorts Dalat, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Phan Thiet.
The ancient capitals of Vietnam deserve special attention. It is first and foremost a city. hue on the shore Fragrant River where they were restored imperial palaces and other architectural structures. Travelers are also attracted by such former capitals as Coloa, Meling, Hoyles. In total, there are 12 ancient capitals in Vietnam, each of which has an interesting history and many interesting sights.
The modern capital of the country Hanoi, or Thang Long(“the city of the soaring dragon”), is famous not only for the historical vicissitudes of the struggle for independence. Glory to the city was brought by such architectural masterpieces, How Turtle Temple located in the middle of the lake Joan Kiem("lake of the returned sword"), and the pagoda Chua Mot Cat(“One Pillar Pagoda”), the original of which was built in 1049. Tourists from all over the world seek to see Hanoi Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh- one of the four mausoleums in the world where visitors are allowed access. The mausoleum is very reminiscent of Moscow, but the Vietnamese building is much grander.
There are many picturesque places in Vietnam, but the true delight of travelers is the pearl of Vietnamese nature - the bay halong("Landing Dragon Bay"), which many call the eighth wonder of the world. On the sea surface of crystal clearness there are about 1600 islands of the most incredible forms: a stone frog, an old fisherman, a vase for incense sticks. On the rocky islands there are beautiful caves with stalactites and stalagmites.
Nutrition
In the post-Soviet space, Vietnamese cuisine has gained a dubious reputation due to the notorious “aroma” of fried herring that prevails in the hostels where students from Vietnam lived. Meanwhile, in reality, Vietnamese culinary traditions ensure the preparation of fresh and healthy food, although it may seem unusual in taste to a European. The most important gastronomic difference of Vietnam from others Asian countries is that the products here are not subjected to prolonged heat treatment, in addition, little fat is used in the cooking process.
Rice is the staple of Vietnamese cuisine. com”), noodles (“ mi”) and a variety of seafood. In general, in their culinary preferences, the Vietnamese are omnivores, so here you can try fried grasshoppers, monkey brains, and bird nest soup. But still more familiar to a Russian traveler will be such national dishes as eel soup, rice noodle pancakes, green pho soup, boiled beef with bamboo shoots and cinnamon. bo ho ku».
There are many restaurants in Vietnam where you can enjoy Chinese, Indian, Thai and European cuisine. An important plus for tourists is that in Vietnam you will find relatively small food costs. In large cities, for $ 8-10, you can have a hearty dinner in a restaurant (along with coffee and beer), and during the day it is not difficult to find an institution where a hearty lunch will cost $ 4-5.
Accommodation
In Vietnam, there is no official system for assessing the level of service in hotels. But for convenience, the European five-star hotel classification system is still used, however, you need to understand that the declared category does not always objectively correspond to the real state of affairs. For example, not every 4-star hotel has a restaurant, and instead of air conditioning, often only a fan is in the room. However, do not worry, as the hotels of world hotel operators, of which there are many in Vietnam, comply with generally accepted service standards.
Every year more and more comfortable hotels are being built in the country. However, demand often exceeds supply, although there are more than 200 3-5* hotels in Vietnam. Breakfast, by the way, is not always included in the price.
In the south of Vietnam - in the resorts Phan Thiet, Da Lat, Nha Trang- the most popular hotels and the highest cost of living. There are high-class tourist complexes, and family half boards, and guest houses with a basic set of services. You can save on accommodation by coming here in the off-season - in July and August.
There are not many 4-5* hotels in the central part of Vietnam and in the north of the country. Cities are an exception. Hanoi And Ho Chi Minh City, where the hotel base boasts luxury hotels.
If you are traveling on your own and do not consider luxury accommodation a priority, you can find a budget hotel, guest house or private apartment in any major city. If you want to stay in a luxury hotel, we recommend that you take care of advance booking.
Entertainment and recreation
Vietnam invariably pleases its guests with diverse entertainment: from water sports to nightclubs and casinos. In this country you can ride elephants, soak up the beautiful beaches, visit crocodile farms, go sea fishing and diving. A real highlight among the entertainment are trips to partisan camps. Cu Chi Tunnels.
If you are lucky enough to get to one of the colorful Vietnamese festivals and holidays, then the impressions will last for a long time. In Ho Chi Minh City you can visit Southern Fruit Festival", in Da Nang - on fireworks festival, in Nha Trang arrange maritime festival, and bullfights take place in Doson.
In Vietnam, diving is very affordable, while the level of organization of diving is decent. There are many interesting places for diving in the country. The best dive sites are Hoi An, Nha Trang Phu Quoc And Condao. There you can see corals, cuttlefish, octopuses, barracudas, clams, moray eels, squids and even pufferfish and manta rays. And diving off the archipelago Condao, you can meet dugongs (sea cows) and large green turtles.
The beaches of Vietnam are white sand and clear water. No wonder the central and southern regions of the country are called " Vietnamese Hawaii". Here are the best beaches in Southeast Asia.
Purchases
Vietnam has an incredibly wide range of souvenirs and gifts. At the same time, the prices are the most democratic in the region. Trade flourishes both in small souvenir shops and in the modern shopping centers of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
The top shopping list in Vietnam should include products made from natural silk, rare wood crafts, gold and silver jewelry, stone, metal and bone products. We advise you to focus on specialized stores if you want to purchase high-quality silk, silver, pearls. Ceramics is best bought in the suburbs of Hanoi Bat Chang, where there are many workshops producing porcelain dishes. And the best pearls are bought on the island Phu Quoc. Be sure to pay attention also to green tea and coffee.
As a rule, shops are open daily from 07:30 to 17:30, but many are open until late in the evening.
In state-owned stores, prices are fixed, but in private shops and markets it is recommended to bargain, even if you see a price tag - know that this is just the starting point for bargaining.
Currency can be exchanged at a bank, hotel or exchange office. The first option is the most profitable, but banks are open for a limited time. In no case do not agree to offers of a profitable currency exchange from passers-by - there is a risk of becoming a victim of scammers.
Plastic cards MasterCard, Visa, American Express And JCB you can pay in all large and small cities where there are tourists. But in places remote from tourist areas, it is better to take cash with you.
Transport
It is convenient to travel between cities in Vietnam by bus. There are two varieties of them: big bus(with air conditioning and a seat according to the ticket) and mini bus(without air conditioning and fixed place).
Water transport works well. Thousands of private boats, coasters and boats ply along the coast and on the lakes. The cost of the trip in most cases is negotiable and agreed with the captain of the vessel.
In cities, it is most convenient to travel by taxi, motorcycle and cycle rickshaws. Although there is bus transport, it operates irregularly, and the confusing system of stops is not very attractive to travelers. But the fare is only about $ 0.1.
Traveling by taxi, of course, is more expensive, but they are always available and paid strictly according to the meter. Companies such as Vina(yellow cars) and Mai Linh(green cars): Taxi cabins are always kept clean and air-conditioned. Taxi fares are the same for the capital and provinces, the price is approximately $0.6 per kilometer.
Remember that the fare for bicycles and auto rickshaws must be negotiated in advance. Do not be afraid to bargain, otherwise the price will be inflated at times. In general, the reward for 15 minutes of travel should not exceed $1.
Connection
You can call anywhere in the world from a hotel, Internet cafe, post office or mobile phone. Mobile communication, by the way, is absolutely available. You only need to purchase a SIM card from one of the local operators ( Viettel, Vinaphone, Mobifone). You can replenish your account using prepaid cards (sold at any kiosk, store or post office). Keep in mind that calling from a hotel is several times more expensive than calling from a mobile phone.
Internet access services in the country are provided by the company " Internet Vietnam". Network access is available in large hotels, Internet cafes and post offices. Prices for services are quite affordable and, as a rule, do not exceed $ 0.5.
Safety
Vietnam is quite safe to travel, even if you are moving around the country on your own. There is no religious fanaticism and racial prejudice here, Vietnam is one of the ten safest places in Eurasia.
The main problem that awaits tourists here is petty theft. Therefore, you should carefully monitor personal belongings, especially in crowded places. Do not carry large sums of money with you. And it is better to leave valuables in the hotel safe. Avoid riding rickshaws at night.
A separate “headache” is the importunity of local residents who are constantly trying to sell something, stopping tourists on the go. In no case do not give in to persuasion - not only will you receive low-quality goods at an inflated price, but in the place of one, a whole crowd of new “sellers” will immediately appear. In addition, you can run into real scammers.
From a health point of view, follow the rules of personal hygiene, do not buy food from street stalls. We recommend drinking only bottled water.
There is no need to vaccinate before traveling to Vietnam - there are no raging infections in the country.
Business climate
A couple of decades ago, the prospect of starting a business in Vietnam would hardly have seemed reasonable to a Russian entrepreneur. But times are changing, and these days Vietnam is starting to attract foreign investors.
Although Vietnam is a country with a market socialist economy, the state practically does not interfere in the affairs of enterprises of various forms of ownership, if these are not strategic productions. Enterprises with 100% foreign capital are already allowed.
The positive factors for opening a business in Vietnam include the stability of the political situation, cheap labor and a warm climate that does not require additional costs for space heating. On the other hand, transporting goods to, say, Russia is not very cheap.
Therefore, most often foreign investors invest not in production, but in the construction of tourist facilities, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment.
In general, starting a business in Vietnam is not very easy. In terms of the complexity of obtaining licenses and the simplicity of the procedure for opening a company, Vietnam ranks 99th in the world. But for a foreigner, given the assistance of local authorities to foreign investment, the process may not be very painful. However, do not expect easy and quick profits. Patience is the main thing to stock up on when starting a business in Vietnam, experienced investors say.
Real estate
Vietnam, as a country with a dynamically developing economy and tourist attraction, brings to the world stage and its real estate market. But for foreigners, the laws are such that they can only buy apartments here. In this case, the following conditions must be met: marriage to a citizen of Vietnam, permanent residence in the country, investment in the Vietnamese economy. The purchased apartment can only be used for the owner's residence, that is, it cannot be rented out. We add that an apartment can be bought for a period of 50 years, after this time it will have to be sold or donated.
Therefore, investments are considered optimal not in private housing, but in the construction of commercial real estate in the tourism sector. The fact is that now the demand for comfortable hotel complexes in Vietnam exceeds supply. Until the situation changes, such investments promise high returns in the near future.
When planning a trip to Vietnam, remember about customs regulations. There are no restrictions on the import of foreign currency, but amounts over $ 3,000 must be declared: only what has been declared is allowed to be exported. It is forbidden to export national currency.
You can bring in 400 cigarettes or 0.5 kg of tobacco, 3 kg of coffee, 1.5 liters of strong alcohol or 2 liters of low-alcohol drinks, as well as 5 kg of tea. All equipment must be declared, otherwise it will not be possible to export it without paying customs duties. Be sure to pay attention to the list of items prohibited for import into the country: firearms, explosives, pornography, as well as drugs and drug-containing drugs without a doctor's prescription. The last point is very serious, since violation of the ban is punishable up to the death penalty! In addition, you can not export antiques, jewelry and art without permits.
Before entering a Buddhist temple, do not forget to leave your shoes outside the threshold and do not turn your back on the temple when leaving it. Photographing temples and local residents is only possible after permission, for which you usually need to pay.
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| Socialist Republic of Vietnam | |||
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| Vietnamese | |||
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| Motto: « Ðộc lập, tự do, hạnh phúc (Independence, freedom, happiness)" |
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| Hymn: "Tiến Quân Ca" | |||
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| date of independence | September 2, 1945 (proclaimed) July 21, 1954 (recognized) (from) |
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| Official language | Vietnamese | ||
| Capital | |||
| Largest cities | , Hanoi, | ||
| Form of government | one-party socialist republic | ||
| The president | Nguyen Phu Trong | ||
| Vice President | Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh | ||
| Prime Minister | Nguyen Xuan Phuc | ||
| President of the National Assembly | Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan | ||
| State. religion | secular state | ||
| Territory | 69th in the world | ||
| Total | 331,210 km² | ||
| % water surface | 1,3 | ||
| Population | |||
| Score (2013) | ▲ 92 477 857 people (13th) | ||
| Density | 273 people/km² (30th) | ||
| GDP | |||
| Total (2010) | $276.6 billion (42nd) | ||
| Per capita | $3,100 (166th) | ||
| HDI (2018) | ▲ 0.694 ( average; 116th) | ||
| Names of residents | vietnamese, vietnamese, vietnamese | ||
| Currency | dong (VND) | ||
| Internet domain | .vn | ||
| ISO code | VN | ||
| IOC code | VIE | ||
| Telephone code | +84 | ||
| Time Zones | UTC+7 | ||
| car traffic | on right | ||
Vietnam (Vietnamese Việt Nam ) , full official form - Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV)(Vietnamese Cộng Hòa Xã Hội Chủ Nghĩa Việt Nam , ty-nom 共和社會主義越南 , kong hoa sa hoi chu ngia viet nam)- a state in the Indochina peninsula. In the west it borders with and, in the north - with China, from the east and south it is washed by the South China Sea.
Name etymology
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Main article: Vietnam (historical names)
The name of the country (越南) consists of two words - "Việt" means the titular nation - the Viet, and "Nam" - the south, "southern Viet", which is a tracing from the Chinese "Yuenan", where "Yue" is the Chinese name of the Viet, and "nan" - south.
For the first time the name "Vietnam" was used by the poet Nguyen Binh Khiem in his book "The Prophecies of Chang Chin" in the 16th century, writing "And Vietnam was formed." This name was engraved on 12 stelae of the 16th-17th centuries, in particular in the Bao Lam pagoda.
In 1804-1813 Emperor Gia Long used the word "Vietnam" in official documents. However, until 1945, the country was usually referred to as "Annam" until the name was officially changed by Emperor Bao Dai.
Story
Main article: History of Vietnam
Early period
In the first millennium BC. e. on the territory of modern southern China and modern northern Vietnam, there were several states of the ancient Viet.
Among the first ancient Vietnamese states, the more northern formations are best known - primarily the kingdom of Ngo (whale "U") and the kingdom of Viet (whale "Yue"), which arose in the 7th century BC. e. in the lower reaches of the Yangtze. At the same time, authentic sources were not preserved either in the kingdom of Viet, or in more southern states. Nevertheless, the existence in this territory (especially in the lower reaches of the Yangtze and in the north of modern Vietnam, in the lower reaches of the Red River - Hongha) of an ancient and original center of statehood is evidenced by archeological data.
The social structure of the kingdom of Viet (Yue) was characterized by ancient sources as simpler in comparison with neighboring ancient Chinese states. Also, unlike the ancient Chinese states, the main occupation of the Yue population was irrigated rice cultivation. In the VII-III centuries. BC e. (perhaps this happened much earlier) five states appeared on the territory between the mouths of the Yangtze and the Red River: Vanlang, inhabited by the ancestors of modern Viet - Lak Viet - in the lower reaches of the Red River, then to the east - Teiau (Nam Cuong), Nam Viet, Man Viet, Dong Viet. Teiau then conquered Vanlang and formed the common state of Aulac. The cultural level of these formations was quite high, while the borrowing of Chinese culture was more intensive in the northern kingdoms than in the southern ones. The ancient Viet were mainly communal producers, a higher position was occupied by the landed aristocracy and the serving nobility, who were subordinate to the ruler - the vyong. Au Lac and Nam Viet waged wars with the Qin Empire, during which Nam Viet was captured by it. However, after the fall of the Qin Empire, Nam Viet and Au Lak united into a single state of Nam Viet, in the 2nd century. BC e. inferior in power only to the Han Empire.
However, already at the end of the II century. BC e. the country falls under the rule of the Han emperors. Despite a short-term gain of independence as a result of the “rebellion of the two sisters,” Chinese rule lasted until the 9th century. Nevertheless, the Laviets actually retained their internal autonomy, constantly fighting against the invaders, while an important role in the life of the country was played by tribal associations - ho. Socio-economic processes in China also had little effect on Vietnamese society. At the same time, Buddhism preached by Indian monks was spreading in the country, which was adjacent to the traditional cults of ancestors and the forces of nature.
In 541, the southern Chinese state of Liang tried to subdue the Vietnamese elite more strongly, which led to an uprising led by a major official, a representative of one of the highest ho, Li Bong. As a result of several victories, he was proclaimed emperor, founding the Early Li dynasty (541-603). In 544, the state of the Viet received the name Vansuan (empire of countless springs). After Li Bon was killed during a new battle with the Chinese, Chieu Quang Phuc became the de facto leader of the country, who drove the invaders away in 551. From that moment on, an internecine war broke out in Vansuan, dividing the country into two parts: the western one, led by Chieu Quang Phuc, and the eastern one, ruled by a distant relative of Li Bon, Li Fat Tu.
In 602, the Sui Empire, which united all of China, began a war against the Vietnamese state of Van Xuan. In 603, the Vietnamese troops were defeated, Van Xuan was forced to recognize the power of the Sui. The captured territory of Wansuan was called by the Chinese "Ziaoti", then "Ziaotiau", and from 679 - "Annam dohofu".
Middle Ages
Formation of the territory of Vietnam
In 880, Chinese troops left their southern Vietnamese governorship of Annam dohofu. In 939, Ngo Cuyen defeated the Chinese who tried to influence the Viet and founded the Ngo dynasty, which fell in 961. In 968, this territory was united by Dinh Bo Lin under the name Daikovet - Great ancient Viet. Din Bo Lin created a regular army, put an end to internal strife and streamlined the apparatus of officials. From 981 to 1009, the Early Le dynasty was in power. Since 1010, the country, now called Dai Viet, was ruled by the Later Li, who pursued a policy of strengthening the central government while maintaining communal self-government. In 1225, in conditions of turmoil caused by economic difficulties, power passes to the kindred Li Chans, who founded a new dynasty (1225-1400).
In the second half of the 13th century, Dai Viet, like other states, came under attack from the Mongol invasions. In 1285, the army of the son of Kublai Khan - Tugan - set out from China and invaded the borders of the Vietnamese state, which was also attacked from the sea - a Mongol-Chinese landing force landed in the Red River Delta. However, the forces of the invaders were defeated near the Kao River - only a tenth of the invaders returned to China. The final victory of the Viet was the Battle of the Batdang River. The Mongolian fleet, lured by the Viet junks, came across pointed tree trunks that they had previously driven into the bottom of the river. Mongolian ships were pelted with burning torches and arrows.
In 1400, the last ruler of the Chan dynasty was deposed by the military leader Ho Kui Li. Ho Kui Lee carried out a number of reforms, in particular, introduced paper money. During his reign, the central government was again strengthened. However, in 1407, the country was again captured by the Chinese, called by supporters of the overthrown Chang dynasty. The feudal lord Le Loi opposed Chinese rule, who, after a successful war of liberation in 1427, proclaimed himself the new emperor, founding the Later Le dynasty, which ruled until the Taishon uprising at the end of the 18th century. Le Loy attempted to restrict large landownership while encouraging smallholding. A general accounting of state lands was carried out, which were divided among the peasants. Strict restrictions were imposed on the purchase and sale of land. It was practiced to allocate communal lands to officials in accordance with their rank.
In the second half of the 15th century, Vietnam again switched to an offensive policy, capturing neighboring Champa and the eastern regions of Lan Xang, which had become dependent on the Vietnamese rulers. Buddhism is losing ground to traditional beliefs and Confucianism. In the 70s. In the 15th century, a system of 9 ranks of officials was introduced, who could qualify for promotion every 6 years. The most common way to get a new position was to pass examinations for a degree. A feature of the Vietnamese nobility in this period was the absence of a hereditary fixed status and, accordingly, high social mobility. In the 16th century, a crisis began in the country, which gradually passed from the power of civil officials to the power of military landowning clans: wars and a cumbersome administrative apparatus ruined the peasants, and no attention was paid to the development of agriculture and irrigation systems. The dissatisfaction of the population was also caused by the beginning process of stratification of the community - the social foundation of Vietnamese society. By the end of the first quarter of the 17th century, the actual power in the country belonged to two influential clans: in the north of the province - the Chiney family, in the south - the Nguyen.
new time
The crisis culminated in the Taishon uprising of 1773-1802. in the northern part of Nguyen-controlled territory. The thirty-year civil war ended with the defeat of the rebels and the accession of the ruler from the Nguyen dynasty, who proclaimed himself emperor under the name of Gia Long. Vietnam again became a single state based on Confucian principles. At the beginning of the 19th century, the intensified Vietnam waged a long struggle with Siam for control over.
In 1858, under the pretext of the refusal of the Vietnamese government to accept demands for freedom of trade, the French invasion of Vietnam began. From the three eastern provinces captured in 1862, the French colony of Cochin China was formed, to which three western provinces were added in 1867 - thus, the whole of southern Vietnam came under French influence. In 1873, another invasion of North and Central Vietnam was organized, which ended in 1874 with a trade agreement that was unfavorable for the Vietnamese, which, although it did not enter into force, in the 80s. was used as a pretext for a new intervention. In 1882, the French captured and in 1883 forced Vietnam to sign a protectorate treaty. The colonial regime was finally established in 1885.
1887-1940: Colonial period
French Vietnam
Main article: French Indochina
In the second half of the 19th century, Vietnam fell into colonial dependence on. The country is artificially divided into three parts - the colony of Cochin China (South Vietnam), the protectorates of Annam (Central Vietnam) and Tonkin (Northern Vietnam). Together with and Vietnam became part of French Indochina.
By the 1930s, a powerful national liberation movement was taking shape in the country, led by the Communist Party of Indochina (CPIK, leader Ho Chi Minh).
1940-1946: Vietnam during World War II. Japanese occupation.
Main articles: Invasion of French Indochina, Vietnamese empire And August Revolution of 1945 in Vietnam
During the Second World War, Vietnam was captured by the Japanese, who disarmed and then completely neutralized the French garrisons. By the end of the war, the Japanese were forced to withdraw their troops to strengthen the defense of Manchuria, while forming a puppet Vietnamese empire on the territory of Vietnam, headed by the heir to the Vietnamese imperial Nguyen dynasty, Bao Dai.
Ho Chi Minh in 1946
Taking advantage of the resulting vacuum of power, the Communists, who created the Viet Minh in 1941, on August 13, 1945, at the II Party Conference in Tanchao, decided to revolt and elected a Provisional Government headed by Ho Chi Minh. The August revolution eliminated the last institutions of the colonial administration: on August 19, the uprising won in, on August 23 - in, on August 25 - in. On August 30, Bao Dai publicly abdicated the imperial throne. On September 2, 1945, at a rally of 500,000 people in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh promulgated the Declaration of Independence, announcing to the world the proclamation of a new state throughout Vietnamese territory - the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV), and on November 9, 1946, the National Assembly of the DRV adopted a constitution that proclaimed the legislative the body of the National Assembly, elected by the people for a period of 3 years, between sessions of which the Standing Committee of the National Assembly acted, the head of state - the President elected by the National Assembly, the executive body - the Government, local representative bodies - people's councils, local executive bodies - administrative committees, judicial bodies - Supreme Court, courts of appeal, courts of first instance.
However, the international background in 1945-46. was extremely unfavorable for the DRV. In accordance with the Potsdam Agreement, the United States and Britain were to carry out the disarmament of the Japanese troops. The United States delegated this right to the troops of Chiang Kai-shek, who occupied the northern part of Vietnam, starting from 16 ° N. sh. British troops occupied, respectively, the southern part of Vietnam, starting from the 16th parallel. The British command did not recognize the DRV and, moreover, helped the return of the French corps to the south of Vietnam. Thus, for the first time in the history of the country, "so many occupiers turned out to be in it at the same time." On November 11, 1945, the CPIK, for tactical reasons, announced its own dissolution, continuing to operate unofficially.
Against this difficult international background, on March 6, 1946, the Ho Chi Minh government agreed to sign the so-called Ho-Santeny agreements with France, according to which they agreed to the country's stay in the French Union in exchange for recognition of the sovereignty of the DRV. Under this agreement, the DRV recognized the military presence of France (instead of the army of Chiang Kai-shek, which was supposed to be withdrawn under the French-Chinese agreement concluded in February), for a period of five years. The status of the south of Vietnam (at that time Cochinchina) was to be decided by a referendum.
However, France led the case towards the complete restoration of the colonial system, as it was confident in its military superiority. The continuation of the Franco-Vietnamese negotiations in April-May 1946 did not give any positive results. Both sides were only playing for time in order to better prepare for the war. In May 1946, the "National Union of Vietnam" - the Lien-Viet Front - was created, which united the Viet Minh and many parties and organizations in Vietnam with the aim of jointly fighting against the French colonialists. Negotiations with the French side continued until December 1946, when it finally became clear that war was inevitable, and active hostilities began.
1946-1954: Vietnam during the First Indochina War
Main articles: First Indochina War And State of Vietnam
In November-December 1946, the first military clashes took place between the Vietnamese and French sides, which actually annulled the earlier Vietnamese-French agreements. On December 18-19, 1946, the Central Committee of the CPIK held a meeting in Wan Phuc, at which it was decided to launch the "War of Resistance" throughout the country. On December 19, fighting began, which did not stop in January 1947. A "nationwide, comprehensive and long war" began with a protracted guerrilla character.
The war between France and its former colonies, including Vietnam, took place in 3 stages: defense, active resistance and a general counteroffensive.
At the first stage of the war, the military and political leadership of the Viet Minh avoided major battles, trying to buy time to complete the creation of the not yet fully formed regular army and gain combat experience. The troops of the DRV at this stage left the main cities and provincial centers; the fighting was moved to villages, mountains and forests. The French expeditionary force occupied most of the cities and coastal areas. North Vietnam became the main arena of battles. In the fall of 1947, the French attempted to capture the headquarters of the Viet Minh leadership, then located in Viet Bac, but suffered a major defeat and were forced to retreat, suffering heavy losses.
After the defeat in Viet Bac, in 1948-1950, a period of balance of power began in the war. France abandoned offensive operations, switched to the strategic defense of the areas of the DRV occupied by it, and decided "to fight against the Vietnamese with the hands of the Vietnamese themselves." In May 1948, the colonialists formed the puppet government of Nguyen Xuan in the occupied territory, and a year later they announced the creation of the state of Vietnam, headed by the former emperor Bao Dai (the last representative of the Nguyen dynasty).
French aircraft F8F Birkat dropping napalm on Viet Minh artillery during Operation Muete (November 1953)
During a period of calm, when there were no major military campaigns, in the territories controlled by the DRV, they began to carry out agrarian reforms and take measures to strengthen the army and consolidate their power. Decrees were issued on the confiscation of the lands of the French colonialists and Vietnamese "traitors" and on their transfer to the temporary use of poor peasants, on the reduction of land rent by 25%, on lease relations and the reduction of debt interest, etc. In March 1950, nationalization began mineral wealth of the country, the main irrigation systems, forests and communications. A decree of November 4, 1949 introduced universal compulsory military service. Under the leadership of General Vo Nguyen Giap, a series of measures were taken to transform the army from "amateur" to "professional". In this, the Viet Minh was greatly assisted by China, with which diplomatic relations were established in 1950 (diplomatic relations were also established with the USSR in the same year).
In 1950, the war came to a turning point. As early as 1949, the Việt Minh made the first "training" attempts at offensive operations, attacking French forts in the vicinity of Lao Cai. In 1950, the Việt Minh began offensive operations with the aim of clearing the territories bordering China in order to open a corridor through which aid from the socialist countries could flow to the DRV. As a result of the raid, a vast area of northern Vietnam was liberated. In 1951, Giap launched a general counter-offensive campaign, but it ended in failure, resulting in heavy losses.
In 1951, the CPIK was renamed the Vietnam Workers' Party (PTV), the party began to operate as an officially existing organization. In the same year, the Viet Minh and Lien Viet merged into a single national Lien Viet Front. Economic reforms were carried out: in the banking, monetary, tax, customs spheres.
In 1953, despite the intervention in the war by the United States and its active assistance, the value of which in 1953 reached 80% of France's military spending, the Vietnamese People's Army launched a general offensive on all fronts, which lasted until July 1954. In the spring of 1954, she defeated the forces of the French colonial army at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu, which became the biggest victory of the DRV in the War of Resistance. Major military defeats and anti-war protests in France itself forced the French government to negotiate a settlement of the Indochina problem. In July 1954, at the Geneva Conference, agreements were signed on the restoration of peace in Indochina. The agreements provided that the armed forces of the DRV and France would cease fire and within 300 days complete the regrouping of troops in two zones, respectively, to the north and south of the demarcation line, established approximately along the 17th parallel. After 2 years, it was planned to hold general elections, which were supposed to form a unified government of Vietnam and complete the unification of the country. The signing of the Geneva Accords meant international recognition of the sovereignty and independence of Vietnam.
Vietnam during the Second Indochina War
Main articles: Second Indochina War And Vietnam War
Partition of Vietnam
In the summer of 1954, the Geneva Accords were signed, providing for the complete independence of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, as well as the early holding of free and general elections. Before the elections, the territory of Vietnam was temporarily divided into two halves along the Benhai River. This state of affairs did not suit those who sought to prevent the spread of communism in Southeast Asia. With the assistance of the United States, the elections were disrupted, and the Republic of Vietnam was proclaimed in the south with its capital in Saigon, headed by Ngo Dinh Diem. In 1959, the leadership of the northern Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV) came to the conclusion that it was necessary to unite the country by force. The National Liberation Front of South Vietnam (NSLF, also known as the Viet Cong) was created, which, through guerrilla operations, tried to undermine the influence of the Saigon regime in the periphery. In the same year, a new constitution was adopted, renaming the Government into the Administrative Council, and the Supreme Court into the Supreme People's Court, the courts of appeal and courts of first instance were abolished, and instead local people's courts were created, the Supreme People's Procurator's Office and local people's procuratorates were created. .
By 1965, the NLF controlled at least 30% of South Vietnam. In response, the United States took advantage of the Tonkin incident (the shelling by Vietnamese boats of an American destroyer allegedly located in neutral waters) in order to begin systematic bombing of the DRV, and began the transfer of troops to South Vietnam to fight the NLF. The Vietnam War began. However, the decisive actions of the partisans in the south and the successful resistance of the DRV to air raids (with significant support from the USSR) led to impressive losses among the Americans and forced Washington to sign the Paris Peace Accords in 1973, according to which American troops were withdrawn from Vietnam. Without American support, the Saigon regime, which was in deep crisis, quickly fell as a result of the offensive of the North Vietnamese troops. On April 30, 1975, South Vietnamese troops surrendered Saigon.
Serious conflicts also occurred in the internal politics of North Vietnam. In the leadership of the Communist Party, supporters of the most rigid course and a more moderate group stood out. In 1967, the chairman of the Central Organizing Commission of the Central Committee, Le Duc Tho, and Minister of Public Security, Tran Quoc Hoan - with the participation of Secretary of the Central Committee Le Duan and with the consent of Ho Chi Minh - organized a campaign of repression against the "anti-party group" of moderates and supporters of Defense Minister Vo Nguyen Giap.
On July 2, 1976, the North and South of Vietnam merged into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. In 1976, the new constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (SRV) was adopted, Saigon was renamed Ho Chi Minh City, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly and the position of the President were abolished, their functions were transferred to the State Council, the Government Council was renamed the Council of Ministers, the position of the Prime Minister became the Chairman Council of Ministers, administrative committees became known as people's committees.
Modern history
Main articles: Third Indochina War And "Renewal" of Vietnam
Streets of Hanoi
In 1974, China annexed those located southeast of the island.
In December 1978, Vietnamese troops, in response to aggression, entered Cambodia and overthrew the Pol Pot regime, which caused sharp discontent in the PRC. As a result, in the spring of 1979, the Sino-Vietnamese war took place, during which the Vietnamese army managed to stop the advance of the Chinese troops invading the country, inflicting heavy losses on them. The diplomatic intervention of the USSR forced the PRC to abandon further actions against Vietnam. After that, armed incidents periodically occurred on the Sino-Vietnamese border. The war also aggravated the internal political situation in Vietnam: the former Politburo member Hoang Van Hoan fled to China, the party leadership carried out another political "purge" of the ranks.
Relations between the People's Republic of China and Vietnam were fully restored only in 1991 following the results of high-level talks held on November 5-10.
In the 1980s, anti-communist political emigration and the underground tried to provide armed resistance. The most ambitious were the actions of the emigrant-rebel formation of the National United Front for the Liberation of Vietnam under the command of former South Vietnamese officers Hoang Koh Minh and Le Hong. Such attempts were severely suppressed by the authorities. The last armed action by rebels from abroad was a raid led by Dao Ba Ke in August 1989.
Blindly copying the Soviet model of the national economy led to a serious economic crisis in Vietnam. Under the influence of perestroika in the USSR and reforms in the PRC, the Vietnamese leadership in 1986 announced the start of a "renewal policy" ("Doi Moi"). In the political realm proper, this course envisaged a gradual and cautious liberalization of socio-economic life under the strict control of the state and the Communist Party, while maintaining the formal attributes of the socialist system.
In 1988, the Socialist Party of Vietnam and the Democratic Party of Vietnam dissolved themselves.
In 1992, the current constitution of Vietnam was adopted, the Council of State was abolished, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly and the position of the President were re-established, the Council of Ministers was renamed the Government, the position of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers was renamed the position of Prime Minister.
At present, Vietnam has undergone a partial liberalization of the economic system and a significant expansion of contacts with foreign countries, with some weakening of party control over all spheres of public life.
Vietnam is a full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). There are diplomatic relations with the USA. Diplomatic relations with the USSR were established on January 30, 1950.
State structure
The form of government of Vietnam (NRV) is a republic. The current Constitution was adopted on April 15, 1992. According to the Constitution, the leading role in the state and society belongs to the Communist Party of Vietnam.
Central authorities
The highest body of state power is the unicameral National Assembly, consisting of 498 deputies elected for 5 years by direct universal suffrage. Only the National Assembly can adopt the Constitution and laws. It also monitors the observance of laws and the Constitution. The competence of the National Assembly is to consider reports on the work of the President, the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Government, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate. The Assembly approves the draft budget, establishes or cancels taxes. This body has the right to elect, dismiss, recall the President, the Vice President, the Chairman of the National Assembly and his deputies, members of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, the Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Supreme People's Court and the Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme People's Procuratorate; approves the proposal of the Prime Minister on the appointment or recall of members of the Government; cancels the acts of the above-mentioned bodies and officials in case they contradict the Constitution, laws or resolutions of the National Assembly. Among some other powers of the National Assembly: deciding on amnesty, establishing military and other titles, resolving issues of war and peace, ratifying and denouncing international treaties or treaties with the participation of Vietnam, deciding on a national referendum. In the 2010s, it turned out that the National Assembly could refuse the government of the country: in 2010, the parliament blocked (as costly and inefficient) the government's project to build a high-speed railway between North and South Vietnam.
The permanent intersessional body of the National Assembly is its Standing Committee. He announces elections and convenes sessions of the National Assembly; interprets the Constitution, laws and decrees; issues decrees on behalf of the National Assembly; exercises control over the observance of the Constitution and laws; controls the activities of the Government, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate; Suspends the acts of the Government, the Prime Minister, the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate that are contrary to the Constitution, laws, decisions of the National Assembly, and cancels their acts that are contrary to the decrees and decisions of the Standing Committee. The Standing Committee has the right to approve the proposal of the Prime Minister on the appointment, dismissal and recall of members of the Government and report on this to the National Assembly at the next session.
The head of state is the President, who is responsible to the National Assembly. He is elected by the National Assembly from among the deputies for a five-year term. The competence of the President includes such powers as: publication of the Constitution, laws, decrees; submit proposals to the National Assembly for the appointment, dismissal or recall of the Vice President and the Prime Minister, the President of the Supreme People's Court and the Chief Prosecutor of the Supreme People's Procuratorate; conclusion on behalf of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam of international treaties; issuance of orders and decisions; the supreme command of the armed forces, etc. Since October 23, 2018, the president of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has been the Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Nguyen Phu Trong - thus, for the first time since Ho Chi Minh, the highest posts of the party and the state have been combined (the status of Truong Tinh as chairman of the State Council of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam was not equivalent to the presidential one) .
The executive body of the National Assembly and the highest administrative body of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is the Government, which is responsible to the National Assembly, its Standing Committee and the President. The Government consists of the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Ministers, ministers and other members. Based on the acts of higher authorities, the Government issues decrees and decisions, and the Prime Minister - decisions and directives.
Local authorities
Administratively, Vietnam consists of 58 provinces and five cities of central subordination: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and. In these cities and provinces there are people's councils - government bodies elected by the population. Their term of office is 4 years. The provinces are divided into districts (counties), in which, as everywhere in cities and villages (communities), people's councils elected by the population operate. Since 1997, provinces and other administrative-territorial units have been granted the right to engage in foreign trade operations.
Judicial system
The judiciary includes the Supreme People's Court in Hanoi and subordinate people's courts in the provinces and major cities. The National Assembly may, in special cases, for example, when the interests of national security are affected, by its decision create a special judicial body. The Supreme People's Court exercises control over the work of subordinate institutions. Representatives of national minorities have the right to use their native language in court. At the state and provincial levels and in the army, there are people's inspectorates, each of which is led by responsible prosecutors, who carry out the tasks of monitoring the implementation of the law in state institutions, private organizations, military personnel and civilians. The judge considers cases at trials jointly with a council of people's assessors, consisting of five to nine people. There are more than 10,000 such councils in the country.
Political parties
Political parties: The Communist Party of Vietnam - the ruling party, was established in February 1930 at a unification conference of communist groups that had existed since the 1920s, held in exile in Hong Kong. Ho Chi Minh became the leader of the party. In October 1930, it was renamed the Communist Party of Indochina (CPIK). In February 1951, the CPIK was transformed into the Vietnam Workers' Party (PTV). Ho Chi Minh became the chairman of the Central Committee, who remained in this post until his death in 1969. In December 1976, the PTV was renamed the Communist Party of Vietnam. Le Duan became General Secretary of the Communist Party of Poland and remained so until his death in 1986.
The CPV is the only party in the country since the Democratic and Socialist parties ceased to exist in 1988.
Among other political organizations, the Patriotic Front of Vietnam stands out, created in 1955 and included in 1977 the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam (1960-1977) and the Union of National, Democratic and Peace Forces of South Vietnam (1968-1977). The Vietnamese Fatherland Front also includes the Communist Party, the General Confederation of Workers (established in 1976), the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (established in 1931), the Vietnamese Women's Union (established in 1930) and other organizations.
Legal system
The legal system of Vietnam has developed as a result of the interaction of feudal Vietnamese law (written and customary), French law and the law of socialist countries.
During the pre-colonial period, Vietnamese law had much in common with the Chinese legal system. Legislation here receded into the background, ethical norms played the main role. The law was used subsidiarily and exclusively to resolve issues of national importance. The legislator left the regulation of relations between individuals to the family and the community, giving them the right to apply criminal sanctions.
During the French colonial rule, Western legal norms and institutions were introduced that were alien to local mentality. During this period, the country was divided into 3 zones: northern, central and southern, in which different legislation was in force. Cochinchina - southern Vietnam - received the status of a colony and was completely subject to French law. Three cities in the north also had the status of a colony and the corresponding legal regime:, and Turan. Annam - Central Vietnam - was a French protectorate and was nominally ruled by a local king. In 1925, the King of Annam delegated his administrative and legislative powers to the French High Commissioner. North Vietnam, although it had the status of a protectorate, was directly subordinate to France.
In South Vietnam and the three cities listed, civil law was in force (according to the Decree of 1883). However, it was incomplete and in undescribed cases one had to refer to the Civil Code of Central Vietnam or customary law, which was written down in 1815 in the Gia Long code. Unlike South Central Vietnam, it had more complete codes: the Civil Code (1936-1939), the Code of Civil and Commercial Procedure (1919), the Criminal Code (1933), the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Commercial Code (1942). In northern Vietnam, the Civil Code was adopted (1931).
After gaining independence, Vietnam was divided into two parts, the law in which developed in different ways. In the DRV, almost all colonial legislation was replaced. In the Constitution of 1959, the foundations of the legal system of the socialist type were enshrined. The model for this system was Soviet legislation. South Vietnam retained the old legislation. However, after 1954, all foreign acts were repealed.
The proclamation of a unified Vietnam in 1975 required the unification of legislation, which was to be built on socialist principles. The course towards the transition to market relations, taken in 1986, again required an almost complete restructuring of the legal system. In 1992, a new Constitution was adopted, and in 1995, the first all-Vietnamese Civil Code.
However, the Vietnamese legal system retained some of its former features: the monopoly leadership of the Communist Party, the official nature of the Marxist-Leninist ideology, the primacy of socialist property, public and state interests over private ones.
Sources of law: the constitution, laws and resolutions of the National Assembly, decrees (decrees) and resolutions of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly, orders (ordinances) and decisions of the President of the Republic, decisions and directives of the Government, by-laws of ministries and departments, local authorities.
In hard-to-reach rural areas, customary law can be used (according to Article 5 of the Constitution, each nationality has the right to “preserve and develop its excellent morals and customs”).
Public holidays and symbols
Main article: Holidays in Vietnam
Public holidays (weekends):
- Tet (New Year) - a week off in January or February (celebrated according to the lunisolar calendar, respectively, the holiday has no fixed date);
- Founding Day of the Communist Party of Vietnam on February 3;
- Commemoration Day of the Hung Kings - usually celebrated in April (celebrated according to the lunisolar calendar, respectively, the holiday has no fixed date);
- April 30 - South Vietnam Liberation Day;
- May 1 - Workers' Day;
- September 2 - Independence Day (from France since 1945).
Armed forces, police, state security agencies
Main article: Vietnam People's Army
Everything related to the Vietnam People's Army and other security forces is strictly classified. In November 1998, the National Assembly voted for the “transparency” of information in the field of public administration, after which the government developed a detailed program to familiarize the public with the financing of the services and departments it manages (it does not apply to the army, internal security agencies and party organizations). The number of military personnel in the country is estimated at approximately 0.5 million people, and security personnel - 2 million people. The internal affairs bodies are the Vietnam People's Police, the state security bodies are the Vietnam People's Security.
The Minister of Defense of Vietnam since 2016 is General of the Army Ngo Xuan Lit, the Minister of Public Security is Colonel General To Lam. Both generals are members of the Politburo of the CPV Central Committee.
Foreign policy
August 31, 2004 - The DPRK Foreign Ministry announced the recall of the North Korean ambassador to Vietnam in connection with "Vietnam's participation in a conspiracy", as a result of which 460 North Korean refugees were brought to South Korea in July 2004. The DPRK Foreign Ministry demanded an official apology from Vietnam and threatened to withdraw all employees of its diplomatic mission in Vietnam if the authorities of this country do not guarantee that such incidents will not happen again.
Administrative-territorial structure
Main article: Administrative divisions of Vietnam
First-level administrative divisions of Vietnam
The administrative division of Vietnam is defined by the Vietnamese Constitution of 1992 and has three levels.
At the first, largest level, the whole country is divided into 58 provinces and 5 large cities of central subordination with the same status as the provinces.
At the second level, there are smaller administrative units - urban areas, cities of provincial subordination, small towns of local importance and rural areas - counties.
At the third level, there are the smallest administrative units - city blocks, urban communities-communes and rural communities-communes.
The smaller level of villages, villages, etc. is not administrative.
Physical and geographical characteristics
Physical map of Vietnam
Main article: Geography of Vietnam
More than 80% of the territory of Vietnam is occupied by low and medium-altitude mountains. In the north, blocky-folded ridges of southeast strike stretch parallel to each other - Hoanglyenshon (with the highest point of Vietnam, Mount Fansipan - 3143 m), Shusung Tyaotyay, Shamshao, separated by narrow, deep longitudinal valleys. The Truong Son Mountains (Annam Mountains) stretch along the western border. In the central and southern part of the country there are basement and basalt plateaus - Pleiku, Daklak, Lamvien, Zilin, which make up the Central Plateau.
The largest and most full-flowing rivers of Southeast Asia, the Hongha and Mekong, end their course in Vietnam, flowing into the South China Sea.
In the lower reaches and delta of Hong Hi in northern Vietnam, there is an alluvial-deltaic plain of Bacbo. Here is the highest population density of the country (1100 people / km²) and the capital of Vietnam is located.
The vast alluvial-delta plain of Nambo is located in the extreme southwest of the country in the Mekong Delta. It also has a high population density (450 people / km²) and the country's largest city is located.
Numerous small rivers flowing from the Tainguyen Plateau and the Annam Mountains at their confluence with the South China Sea formed a narrow strip of accumulative coastal plains.
Vietnam is located in the subequatorial monsoon climate, but due to the country's large length from north to south, the climatic conditions on its territory are somewhat different. Winter in the south is hot (26°C), in the north it is cool (15°C), the air temperature sometimes drops to 1°C due to the penetration of cold air from China. Frosts occur in the mountains at an altitude of more than 1500 m. The rainfall pattern also varies across Vietnam. Winters are dry in the south and wet in the north, and in summer monsoon rains water the entire territory of the country. In late summer and early autumn, the coast of Vietnam is visited by the destructive forces of typhoons. On the windward slopes of the mountains, 2500-3000 mm of precipitation falls annually, on the leeward slopes - 700-900 mm.
Geographical position
A state in Southeast Asia, located on the Indochina peninsula. It borders on Laos and Cambodia in the west, China in the north, and the South China Sea in the east and south.
Relief
The territory of Vietnam is elongated in the meridional direction (the distance between the extreme northern and southern points is about 1750 km), and in the latitudinal direction its length is from 616 km in the north (from Mong Cai to the Vietnamese-Lao border) to 46.5 km in the central part ( in the Chungbo region). The length of the coastline is 3260 km. The diversity of Vietnam's natural conditions is due to its location at the junction of various natural zones and an ancient geological structure. The relief of the country is mountainous: more than three-quarters are occupied by mountains, plateaus and plateaus, mountain ranges separate Vietnam from neighboring states. Vietnam also includes islands and archipelagos.
Inland waters
There are 2360 rivers in Vietnam, the length of which exceeds 10 km. Sixteen of them have a catchment area of more than 2,000 km, and nine rivers in Vietnam have a basin of more than 10,000 km. The basins of these nine rivers cover 80% of the country's territory and account for 70% of its water resources. The country's most full-flowing rivers are the Mekong in the south and the Hongha (Red River) in the north. The length of the Mekong is about 4900 km, the basin area is 795 thousand km2. The length of the Red River is 1183 km, the basin area is about 158 thousand km.
Soils and minerals
The northern part of Vietnam is rich in various minerals. The main ones are coal, iron ore, lead, zinc, bauxite, tungsten, tin, ores of rare earth elements. In the southern part of the country, deposits of coal, gold and molybdenum are known.
Climate
Main article: Climate of Vietnam
The climate differs significantly between northern and southern Vietnam. The north has a temperate, changeable, tropical climate, with a cool season from November to April and a hot season from May to October. The south of Vietnam has a tropical climate: warm to very hot throughout the year, cooler from November to January, hot from February to May, and rainy season from May to October.
During the rainy season, typhoons often rage, which can cause flooding, especially in the Mekong Delta, but floods also occur in other coastal regions.
Ecology
Since the 1990s, the Mekong Delta has increasingly felt the threat of flooding due to global warming: rising ocean levels and hurricanes lead to land landslides. Specially created Office of the State Program for Environmental Protection in the fight against climate change predicts that in 2100 sea levels could rise by 1 meter and the Mekong Delta provinces face near-total flooding. The government is pursuing a countermeasure program with different development scenarios. Under the program, dams and dams are being built, areas of protective coastal forests are being renewed, and work is underway to adapt flora and fauna to climate change.
Population
Main article: Population of Vietnam
general characteristics
- Population - 93,976,347 (July 2015 est.)
- Annual increase - 1.1% (fertility - 1.91 births per woman, 137th in the world)
- Average life expectancy - 69.7 years for men, 74.9 years for women
- Urban population - 30%
- Literacy - 96% male, 92% female (2002 est.)
- Infection with the immunodeficiency virus - 0.4% (estimated in 2009)
National composition
Main article: Peoples of Vietnam
Ethnic composition - Viet 85.7%, Thai 1.9%, Thai 1.8%, Muong 1.5%, Khmer 1.5%, Miao 1.2%, Nungi 1.1% and others (according to the 2009 census of the year).
Languages
Main article: Vietnamese languages
The official language is Vietnamese.
Religion
Main article: Religion in Vietnam
Religions - Buddhist 9.3%, Catholic 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%, Protestant 0.5%, atheists and followers of local animistic cults 80.8% (according to the 1999 census) .
The main religion of the Vietnamese is the system of folk beliefs, which is based on the rituals of "tho kung to thien" (the cult of ancestors), strictly performed by the majority of the inhabitants of the country. This cult does not have a formalized dogma, hierarchy of clergy and social organization (communities, parishes, etc.) and, therefore, does not have the status of a religious denomination. During the 1999 census, all persons who found it difficult to indicate their religious affiliation were recorded as atheists. It should also be noted that Buddhist temples often serve as places of worship of ancestors, which caused another popular misconception, according to which more than 80% of Vietnamese are Buddhists.
Economy
Main article: Economy of Vietnam
general characteristics
The state-bureaucratic system of economic management led in the mid-1980s to its chronic crisis. In 1986, a period of reforms began to develop market relations while maintaining socialist development guidelines. In 1990, the National Assembly passed the first laws on private enterprises, on joint-stock companies and on limited liability companies, modeled on French law. However, the state reserved the right to complete control over private enterprise. New socio-economic relations were also confirmed in the 1992 Constitution, according to which economic life is based on public, collective and private property (Article 15).
A number of state-owned enterprises were privatized, the number of which decreased from 12,084 in 1991 to 6,300 in 1995. The latter occurred both through the liquidation of weak enterprises and the merger of enterprises. In 1991, for the first time, the state placed government bonds for 220.5 billion dongs, and then bonds in dollars began to be issued.
Market reforms have led to good results. From 1990 to 1997, GDP increased annually by 8.9%. In 1995-1997, Vietnam was the leader among the ASEAN member countries. By 2000, per capita GDP amounted to $400. Foreign direct investment, which in 1991 amounted to ≈2.3 billion US dollars, in 1997 increased to $31.2 billion, which accounted for 30% of all capital investments. In 1998 export of goods and services was 42% of GDP, import - 47% of GDP.
The Asian financial crisis of 1998-1999 led to the fact that imports to the country decreased by 3% while exports expanded by 0.9%, and the volume of foreign investment decreased.
GDP in 2009 - 92.4 billion dollars GDP per capita (according to purchasing power parity) - 2.9 thousand dollars (167th place in the world).
In Vietnam, there is no single minimum wage for the whole country, it is set for the four economic regions of the country, divided by the level of development and cost of living. From January 1, 2020 Region I: VND 4,420,000 ($190.51) per month; Region II: VND 3,920,000 ($168.94) per month; Region III: VND 3,430,000 ($147.83) per month and Region IV: VND 3,070,000 ($132.31) per month.
Employment and unions
In Vietnam, only a small proportion of workers are unionized. As of mid-2014, there were 116,000 primary trade union organizations in the country, with over 8.3 million members. At the same time, there are often strikes (mainly at foreign enterprises) in the country - in 2009-2011 there were 1,712 strikes in Vietnam.
Labor migration abroad
In the early 2000s, the law “On the Basics of Sending Vietnamese Labor Migrants Abroad on Contracts” came into force. As a result, between 2001 and 2011, the number of people working abroad increased from 36,168 to 88,298.
Industry and Energy
Natural resources: phosphates, coal, manganese, bauxites, chromites, offshore oil and gas deposits, timber, hydropower.
Industry (15% of employees, 40% of GDP) - cell phones, consumer electronics, computer components and office equipment, agricultural processing, clothing, footwear, oil production, shipbuilding. Service sector - 33% of employees, 39% of GDP. Unemployed - 6.5% (2009).
Electricity in the country is generated mainly by hydroelectric power plants, and if the start of the rainy season is delayed, there will be interruptions in electricity production. The development plans include the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Ninh Thuan province according to a Russian project and with the help of Russian specialists. In addition, it is assumed that the new nuclear research center "Center for Nuclear Science and Technology" will also be built by Russian specialists.
Agriculture and fishing
Main article: Agriculture in Vietnam
Agriculture (52% of employees, 21% of GDP) - rice, coffee, rubber plants, cotton, tea (the total tea growing area is about 131 thousand hectares; the industry's income is about $ 150 million per year, of which 70% is the share of exports), peppers, soybeans, cashews, sugarcane, peanuts, bananas; bird; fishing and seafood.
The International Coffee Organization reported that in the first half of 2012, this Southeast Asian nation overtook Brazil in coffee bean production by 13%, making Vietnam the world's largest coffee bean exporter for the first time in history.
Services sector
Financial sector
Main article: Banking system of Vietnam
Tourism
Main article: Tourism in Vietnam
Companies
Petrolimex filling stations
Vietnam's largest companies include:
- PetroVietnam (Vietnam Oil and Gas Group),
- samsung Electronics Vietnam,
- Petrolimex (Vietnam National Petroleum Group),
- Vietnam Electricity (EVN), Viettel Group,
- Binh Son Refining and Petrochemical Company (BSR),
- Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT),
- PetroVietnam Oil Corporation (PV Oil),
- Vinacomin (Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group),
- Vietnam Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Agribank),
- vietsovpetro,
- Vietnam Airlines,
- PetroVietnam Gas (PV Gas),
- PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation (PVEP),
- honda Vietnam,
- EVN SPC (EVN Southern Power Corporation),
- Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV),
- Vietinbank (Vietnam Commercial Bank for Industry and Trade),
- EVN NPC (EVN Northern Power Corporation),
- Doji Gold and Gems Group.
The largest private Vietnamese companies include Saigon Jewelry Company, Asia Commercial Bank, FPT Group (Corporation for Financing and Promoting Technology), Vinamilk (Vietnam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company), Vietnam Technological and Commercial Bank, Saigon Thuong Tin Commercial Bank, Vietnam Export Import Commercial Bank, Phu Nhuan Jewelry Company, Hoa Phat Group and Maritime Commercial Bank.
Also among the largest companies in Vietnam are Tan Tao Group, PetroVietnam Insurance, Hau Giang Pharmaceutical, PetroVietnam Fertilizer and Chemicals, Dong Phu Rubber, PetroVietnam Drilling & Well Services, Vinashin Petroleum Investment Transport.
Foreign economic relations
Vietnam exports crude oil, seafood, rice, coffee, rubber, tea, clothing and footwear ($214 billion in 2017). The main buyers are the USA 20.1%, China 14.5%, Japan 8%, South Korea 7%.
Vietnam imports industrial products, oil products, fertilizers, grain, cotton, cement, motorcycles ($211.1 billion in 2017). The main suppliers are China 25.8%, South Korea 20.5%, Japan 7.8%, Thailand 4.9%.
In the past, the USSR and Vietnam cooperated closely in various fields: agriculture, oil production, construction and science, not to mention the military-technical industry. Now many projects are closed, but the Vietsovpetro joint venture in the city of Vung Tau and the Tropical Research Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Hanoi (with branches in Ho Chi Minh and Nha Trang) are still operating. Cooperation in the field of energy with the Russian holding Power Machines continues. In total, there are 64 projects in the country with the participation of Russian capital in the amount of $390.3 million (excluding Vietsovpetro).
In 2008, VimpelCom, together with GTEL Corporation, founded the Vietnamese-Russian company GTel Mobile JSC with a 49% stake. From August 2009 to September 2012, GTel Mobile provided cellular services under the "Beeline VN" brand in the three largest cities of the country - Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh and Da Nang. In April 2012, due to failures and disagreements with the Vietnamese shareholders, VimpelCom left the country's market, transferring all its shares to the Vietnamese side.
For a long time, the economic growth of Vietnam was hampered by the American embargo and the excessive guardianship of the Soviet state - foreign capital was not welcome in the country. In December 1988, the Vietnamese government passed a law on foreign investment, which guaranteed companies from other states that their property and profits would not be nationalized. First, companies from the countries of the Asia-Pacific region, primarily South Korea and Australia, and then many others, were drawn to Vietnam. And in 1997, the Vietnamese parliament allowed all provinces and districts to independently conduct foreign trade operations. On January 11, 2007, Vietnam became the 150th member of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Foreign investment
In recent years, many foreign companies, especially those in the consumer electronics and high-tech industries, have moved their manufacturing and R&D facilities from neighboring China to Vietnam. The main reasons for this are cheaper labor, tax incentives and proximity to existing factories and logistics centers in China, Korea and Japan. Among the largest investors are Samsung (smartphone production), LG Electronics (TV production), Nokia (mobile phone production), Panasonic (consumer electronics production), Intel (chip production), Fuji Xerox (printer production).
Social sphere
Vietnam has a high poverty rate. In 2006, the poverty level was set in the city at the equivalent of $0.54 per day per capita, in rural areas - $0.42. Later, these indicators were indexed to the level of inflation. A number of government programs have been adopted to fight poverty. Government Program No. 135 for the Development of Mountainous and Remote Areas (approved in 1998): VND 21 trillion allocated to provincial banks. Banks also provided soft loans to 2,362 communes in 22 provinces. After the implementation of program No. 135, the proportion of the population living in extreme poverty decreased from 37.4% in 1998 to 12.6% in 2011.
The problem of social inequality
Vietnam has a fairly high level of income inequality. And the gap is growing overall. In 2002, nationwide, the incomes of the top 20% of the group exceeded the incomes of the bottom 20% by 8.1 times, and in 2010 by 9.2 times.
Pensions and social benefits
According to official data, there are 3.5-5 million disabled people in the country, the average state pension of which was 3-10 dollars in 2007-2008, depending on where and by whom they were cared for.
healthcare
In the late 1990s, 6 million people, or 8-9% of the Vietnamese population, were covered by universal free health insurance. Almost every village center has medical workers. In 2008, the health care reform began, as a result of which in 2010 the share of the population covered by compulsory health insurance increased to 62%.
Transport and communications
Main article: Transport in Vietnam
Water transport
A huge role in transportation is played by water transport - 5149 km of navigable rivers and canals, over 3 thousand km. sea coast and extensive lake network are served by thousands of coasters, private boats and boats. In most cases, the cost of the trip must be agreed directly with the captain or owner of the vessel.
Automobile transport
Land roads in Vietnam have a length of about 93.3 thousand km. and only 10 thousand km. the trails are asphalted, the rest are either gravel "highways" or unpaved country roads. Foreigners are advised to rent cars with a local driver. Without experience and habit to local realities, driving a car here is a real torment. The traffic police literally “hunt” for a foreigner (it’s simply impossible to quickly remember all types of local traffic rules), narrow local roads are often in a terrible state and are also subject to erosion, constantly crowded with mopeds, agricultural machinery, pets, motorcycles, scooters and bicycles, rules almost no one complies and so on. There are practically no parking spaces anywhere. Therefore, a local driver-guide, at least for the first few days, will be a fairly reasonable waste.
Railway transport
The total length of the country's railways is about 2.6 thousand km. for the most part, they are all narrow-gauge, operated by the state-owned Vietnam Railways. The most dense network of railways connects the north and south of the country along the coast with a separate line to Beijing. Most flights depart twice a week. The trains are quite old, move slowly, with frequent stops, but are more spacious and safer than buses. There are several types of cars - seated hard, seated soft, hard sleeper, soft sleeper and air-conditioned sleeper. The level of service improves depending on the class - soft sleeping cars are quite modern and are located in European-style cars.
The most convenient is the "Reunion Express" (runs between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, 1730 km.), The rest of the flights are indicated by an alphanumeric combination (E1 - express, S1 - ambulance, etc.). Tickets must be purchased in advance and kept until the end of the trip.
Airlines of Vietnam
There are 20 civil airports in Vietnam, including international ones: Hanoi, Da Nang and Tan Son Nhat in Ho Chi Minh City. Tan Son Nhat is the country's largest airport and handles the majority of international flights. According to the state plan, seven more international airports will open in Vietnam in 2015: Vinh, Hue, Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, Hai Phong Cat Bi, Can Tho and Long Thanh. The latter should receive 100 million passengers annually, starting in 2025, when it will be fully operational.
In 2012, state-owned flag carrier Vietnam Airlines had a fleet of 86 passenger aircraft and planned to expand it to 170 by 2020. Several private airlines also operate in the country, including Air Mekong, Bamboo Airways, Jetstar Pacific Airlines, VASCO and VietJet Air.
The airport tax is collected from all passengers. For international flights, it ranges from $12 (when departing from Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi airports) to $8 (from Da Nang), for domestic flights - 20 thousand dong (from airports in central cities) and 10 thousand dong (from provincial ones).
Bus service in Vietnam
Intercity buses are very cheap and cover almost the entire territory of the country. Most of the park is in a dilapidated condition, the cars most often move extremely slowly and are constantly overcrowded. There are special “big bus” regular buses, which are ideally designed for wealthy locals and foreigners (equipped with air conditioning, the seat is indicated on the ticket), but even they rarely reach speeds of more than 50 km / h. A real alternative to them are minibuses, which can be rented from almost any travel agency or transport company at a relatively low price. Many buses stop right on the highway to pick up or drop off passengers.
In Ho Chi Minh City, tickets can be purchased at Pham Ngu Lao - this is the tourist area of \u200b\u200bthe city. From there, there are also Open Bus buses. You can also buy a bus ticket at the reception of your hotel. If they do not sell themselves, they will definitely tell you where to go. In general, bus tickets, at least in Mui Ne, are traded by everyone who is not too lazy, but it is worth ordering in advance - at least half a day in advance. All buses have soft seats and air conditioning, and it can even be cold there. On some routes there are special sleeping buses with lying places.
Culture and society
Main article: Culture of Vietnam
History and general characteristics
The formation of Vietnamese culture was strongly influenced by the largest religious and philosophical teachings of the East - Buddhism and Confucianism - along with which the corresponding artistic traditions of China also came to the country. At the same time, in some periods of history, Chinese culture was planted by violent methods, this was especially evident in the 1st and 7th centuries.
Also, despite foreign influence, a national cultural tradition, ding lang, is being formed in the rural environment. It included religious representations, complex ceremonies and rituals, cult architecture and sculpture, folk painting. Moreover, many of the types of traditional art, although they have undergone some changes, have survived to this day.
The highest achievement of Vietnamese art of the ancient period is the famous bronze products from North Vietnam, belonging to the Dong Son culture (IX-VIII centuries BC - I-II centuries AD), which were found there at the end of the 17th century . Among these bronze finds were tools, jewelry, household utensils, as well as well-known bronze drums used during agricultural rituals.
In the era of Chinese expansion I-X centuries. the Vietnamese are getting acquainted with a higher technology of pottery - now glazed faience products are made from clay: bowls, lamps, incense burners, colored tiles. In the III century, the production of paper from the bark and leaves of the aloe tree and seaweed begins. The art of artistic varnishes is spreading. Weaving from jute, flax, and bamboo fibers is being further developed. High level in the VIII-X centuries. achieves the art of making silk fabrics.
In the XI-XII centuries. Buddhism, which has become the state religion, has a strong influence on various areas of life in Vietnam. The construction of temples, pagodas and monasteries reaches an unprecedented scale. However, the buildings of that period have practically not been preserved; ideas about them can only be formed from excavation data and inscriptions on memorial steles. An indispensable attribute of the temple decor was the image of the dragon, which was one of the four sacred animals, along with the phoenix, the unicorn and the tortoise. The dragon was considered the patron ancestor of the Vietnamese and was revered as the master of the water element.
The motif of four sacred animals, to which four more sacred animals are sometimes added - a fish, a bat, a mythical crane and a tiger - is the most common in the decorative arts of Vietnam. Other common elements are the "eight precious objects", symbolizing wealth and education - the fruit of a gourd, the tip of a brush, a fan of fig leaves, a flute, a basket of flowers, a sword, a gong, a broom of feathers; "eight fruits" - peach, pomegranate, plum, pear, "Buddha's hand" fruit, grapes, calabash, round gourd; "four plants" - peach flower, chrysanthemum, bamboo, orchid; "four Seasons".
XI-XIV centuries became a period of significant development in the production of ceramics, which, according to the color of the glaze, were divided into two types: "gom men ngok" - with jade-colored glaze and "gom men nga" - with ivory-colored glaze. At the end of the 19th century, folk painting became widespread. These paintings were made in many villages and, due to the low price, could be purchased by any peasant. The subjects of images could be religious, congratulatory, protective, historical, literary or satirical.
During the period of French colonization, the people of Vietnam get the opportunity to join. A network of vocational schools opens in the country, the Higher School of Fine Arts is founded. The Vietnamese are discovering a new kind of fine art - easel painting. In the 20th century, traditional painting techniques were given a new meaning - easel painting on silk and lacquer painting appeared.
Literature
Main article: Literature of Vietnam
In the X-XII centuries. early monuments of Vietnamese writing in hanwan were created. XIII-XIV centuries - the period of the formation of court poetry, which adopted the Buddhist worldview. In poetic and prose form, works such as Chan Hyng Dao's "Appeal to the Commanders" reflect the theme of confronting the Mongols. In the XIV century, the short story "Collection of miracles and mysteries of the land of Viet" appears. Since the 15th century, poetry in colloquial Viet originates - "Collection of poems in the native language" by Nguyen Chai. An important role in the development of this direction was played by the literary association "Collection of twenty-eight stars". In the 16th century, dramaturgy and theatrical art reached a high level. At the end of the XVII - beginning of the XVIII centuries. saw the light of the historical-epic poem about the exploits of historical and legendary heroes "The Book of the Heavenly South". In the XVIII - early XIX centuries. the genre of the lyrical poem (ngem) appears, reflecting the inner world of a person and the genre of the poem on family and everyday topics. These traditions were united by the poem "The Lamentations of a Tortured Soul" by Nguyen Zu. From the second half of the 19th century, literature developed under colonial conditions. Modern genres - short story, novel, modern drama - appear in the 20th century under the influence of European literature.
After the 1945 revolution, the events that took place were reflected in numerous prose and poetic works in the spirit of socialist realism. The literature of South Vietnam was influenced by Western philosophical and literary trends: personalism, existentialism, etc. In 1968, a novel was written in the spirit of the "lost generation" literature - "Purple Horizon" by Van Kuang. Since 1976, literature has been formed in a single state, at the end of the 20th century. socio-psychological prose appears.
art
Painting of the XV-XVIII centuries. - these are temple paintings, scrolls on silk and paper. Religious painting, landscapes and popular prints are spreading, the main production centers of which were Hanoi and Dong Ho in its environs. Legends, literary works were used as the plot of popular prints, New Year's pictures gained great popularity: dongho, kimhoang and hangchong. In the 20th century, as a result of the combination of national and European traditions, lacquer painting and easel painting on silk appeared. The founder of the latter is Nguyen Phan Tien.
Architecture
See also: Art of Champa
In North Vietnam, in the architecture of the 1st millennium AD. e. the influence of the Chinese tradition was reflected, for example, mounds with a vaulted vault or stone sculptures of animals. In central Vietnam, the influence of Indian traditions is felt: a typical cult building of Champa is a kalan - a brick building in the form of a tower, standing on a high plinth and ending with a stepped top. In the design of the facades of buildings, sculptural images of the deities of the Hindu pantheon were used.
The heyday of the architecture of North Vietnam is associated with the formation of the centralized state of Dai Viet. Buddhist temples and monasteries are being built all over the country. They are characterized by the symmetry of the plan and the use of wood as the main material. The layout of the Temple of Literature and the architectural techniques used in its construction testify to Chinese influence. Temple Pagoda on one pillar is an example of intimacy and exquisite decorativeness in the cult architecture of Vietnam.
Architecture XIII-XVIII centuries. It is represented by temples of various religions, mausoleums of dignitaries, covered bridges and markets. Among the most significant temple and monastery buildings are the But-Thap and Tay-Phuong complexes (XIII-XIV centuries, rebuilt in the XVII-XVIII centuries).
Music
Main article: Music of Vietnam
The monuments of the Bakshon culture have survived - sets of lithophones, the culture of Dongshon - bronze drums. Traditional music has been influenced by China. She also inherited the culture of the Champa state, which was so high that it was used in Japan and the Khmer state of Funan. In XI-XIII, musical theatrical forms take shape - the tuong theater. In the XIII-XVIII centuries. court music, which included dainak - "great music" and nanjak - "fine music", was orchestral compositions, hymns, dance music. The music was influenced by Chan Buddhism. The peoples of Vietnam have their own traditions and instruments - jew's harps, xylophones, gongs, earthen zithers, and varieties of strings. Since the end of the 19th century, music has been under European influence. In the 1920s kai luong musical theater emerges. In the 1930s mass songs appear, in the 1940s - jazz. In the 1950s, a national composer school was created, European genres of opera, symphony, etc. were adopted. many musicians studied in the USSR.
Theater
The traditional theatrical art of Vietnam is made up of musical and dramatic genres. tuong And Theo.
Theater tuong, which is based on the cult of ancestors, arose as a court entertainment in the XI-XIII centuries. in northern Vietnam. It developed under Chinese influence. Make-up and costumes were borrowed from China. The action was not divided into acts. Gestures, intonations, costumes were important. Decorations were not used. The repertoire was dominated by plays about the events of Vietnamese history and reworkings of Chinese stories. In the 19th century, the playwright Tan Da created a number of works in the tuong genre by order of the imperial court.
Theo is an impromptu folk theatre. It comes from annual celebrations to celebrate the rice harvest. Includes folk music, dancing, choral singing. The plays often had a satirical focus, denouncing the vices of the upper classes. The playwright Nguyen Dinh Ngy (first half of the 20th century) gained the greatest popularity. He created over 50 historical, comedic and satirical plays.
In the 20th century, touong and teo are gradually replacing kai luong- musical theater, based on the art of wandering singers. Modern folk melodies, scenery, curtain, lighting effects, division into acts were used here. This genre was popularized by the poet The Ly.
Kitnaya- modern "conversational" or dramatic theater. During the war years 1946-1954. kai luong and whale were the most popular genres. Vietnam also has a water puppet theater.
In the 21st century, with the development of television and cinema, traditional theatrical genres are declining. Due to budget cuts, some theaters were disbanded, private studio theaters and entreprises appeared.
Dance
There are four varieties of Vietnamese traditional dance: folk, religious, court and theatrical. Folk dances are held to the sounds of drums, rattles and singing. There is a plow dance, a dance of rowers, a dance of living chess pieces, a New Year's dance of a unicorn, a dance of prayer for rain. Another type of dance is performed by members of religious communities, such as the sorcerer's dance with incense sticks. Or the Mua Bong and Mua Chao dance performed by female shamans. Also a dance of six offerings performed by Buddhist monks. Dances were common at the courts of emperors, for example, the Bat dat dance, which has Chinese roots, was performed by 128 dancers, the dance of the three stars, the dance of the four legendary animals (dragon, unicorn, phoenix and turtle), the dance of female warriors. Dances associated with tuong and teo theater have a deep elaboration of form, each movement or gesture reflects the emotional state of the character.
In the 1920s choreographic miniatures were widely spread. In 1961, the first multi-act ballet performances were staged. Ballet dancers were trained in socialist countries.
Cinema
The first feature film filmed in the Vietnamese territory of French Indochina is Kim, Van and Kieu, a 1923 film based on the classic novel by Nguyen Dhu. In 1920-1940. under the direction of French and Chinese cinematographers, some silent and sound films are also filmed there, such as “Madam Zhe” (1929, dir. J. Spesh), “Valley of Ghosts” (1938, dir. Chan Phi), “Evening on the Mekong River” (1940, dir. A. Zau) and others.
After the declaration of the DRV in 1945, semi-underground documentary films began to develop, for example, films about the struggle against French colonialism, the construction of canals, and the fight against drought.
In 1954, after the French left, Vietnam was divided into North and South. The first Vietnamese filmmakers were trained in France or in the USSR. In South Vietnam, commercially oriented or anti-communist propaganda films are being shot at this time, the processing and editing of which are carried out abroad. In 1956, together with the Philippines, the famous South Vietnamese anti-communist film We Want to Live (directed by Vinh Noan and Manuel Conde) was filmed. In North Vietnam, the first film studio was established in 1956. In 1959, the first feature film in the DRV, On the Banks of a River, was released (directed by Pham Hieu Zan and Nguyen Hong Ngi). In the 1960s North Vietnamese cinema develops the themes of socialist construction in northern Vietnam and the liberation struggle.
In 1975, after the victory of the communists, North and South Vietnam were reunited. In the 1970-1980s. the main themes of cinema were the heroism of the army and the people and the building of a socialist society.
At the turn of the XX-XXI centuries. Vietnamese directors sought to move away from ideological clichés and propaganda, and the search for new forms becomes characteristic. Joint shooting of films with the participation of former emigrants - cinematographers of the Vietnamese diaspora has become widespread.
In Vietnam, the training of specialists for the film industry is carried out at the State Institute of Theater and Film of Vietnam. Since 1970, the National Vietnam Film Festival has been regularly held in Vietnam.
Since 2003, the International Film Festival of Vietnamese Diaspora Filmmakers has been regularly held in the United States.
Customs and way of life
Main article: Holidays in Vietnam
Polygamy was actively practiced in Vietnam for many centuries until it was banned by the Vietnamese Communist Party in 1959. However, after the Vietnam War (1957-1975), illegal polygamy, caused by a gender imbalance resulting from the death of a large number of men during this war, remained quite common.
Kitchen
Main article: Vietnamese cuisine
Philosophy
Main article: Vietnamese philosophy
Mass media
Print mass-media
Cover of the Vietnamese magazine "The Word Ho Chi Minh City"
Radio and TV
- VTV1 - General News and Politics Channel;
- VTV2 - Channel of culture, life, science and education;
- VTV3 - Channel of music, information and entertainment;
- VTV4 - Channel for foreign residents;
- VTV5 - Foreign Broadcasting Channel, as well as Auto Channel;
- VOVGT-Ha Noi
- VOVGT-TP.HCM
- VOVTV
Sport
The first and only Olympic champion in the history of Vietnam Hoang Xuan Vinh
Sports such as football, table tennis, chess, and traditional martial arts are popular in the country. Vietnamese athletes have been participating in the Summer Olympics since 1952. Throughout history, the Vietnamese have won one gold and three silver awards. The only Olympic champion in Vietnam's history is pistol shooter Hoang Xuan Vinh, who won the 2016 Games. Vietnamese athletes have not yet participated in the Winter Olympics.
Vietnam constantly participates and achieves success in the Asian Championships and the Southeast Asian Games. At the 2003 Games, Vietnam was the host country, and the country's athletes won first place in the overall medal standings. At the last Games of 2015 in Singapore (as well as at the Games of 2011 in Indonesia and 2013 in Myanmar), the Vietnamese team took third place in the overall medal standings.
In 2007, the country hosted the Asian Football Championship jointly with Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia. The team left the group, but in the quarterfinals lost to the future championship victor Iraq. In 2019, the Vietnamese national team played for the second time at the Asian Cup and again reached the 1/4 finals, where they lost 0:1 to Japan. In 2008 and 2018, Vietnam won the ASEAN Football Championship.
In the 2010s, there has been progress in chess, with Vietnam taking eighth place at the 2018 Chess Olympiad. Grandmaster Le Quang Liem has been in the top 50 of the FIDE world ranking since 2015. A variant of xiangqi called ko-tuong is popular in the country.
In recent years, the Vietnamese government has made efforts to ensure that in the minds of foreigners this country is not associated with the wars of the 20th century. The Vietnamese authorities strive to show everyone the culture of their country and its amazing nature. The Vietnamese are very friendly people. This country has picturesque landscapes, delicious cuisine and excellent beaches. In addition, it is important for tourists that Vietnam is the safest country for travelers in Asia.
Geography of Vietnam
Vietnam is located on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. Vietnam borders China to the north, Laos to the northwest, and Cambodia to the southwest. In the east, this country is washed by the waters of the South China Sea. The total area of Vietnam is 331,210 sq. km, including the islands, and the total length of the state border is 4,639 km.
Vietnam owns a lot of islands in the South China Sea. The largest of them is Phu Quoc Island.
About 80% of the territory of Vietnam is occupied by mountains, however, all of them are not very high. The highest peak in Vietnam is Mount Fansipan, whose height reaches 3,143 m.
The Mekong and Hongha rivers flow through the entire territory of Vietnam, which are considered the longest in all of Southeast Asia.
Capital
The capital of Vietnam is Hanoi, which is now home to more than 6.5 million people. Hanoi was built in 1010 by order of the Vietnamese Emperor Li Thai To.
Official language
The official language in Vietnam is Vietnamese, which belongs to the Vietnamese languages of the Austroasiatic language family.
Religion
About 85% of the population of Vietnam profess Buddhism, about 8% are Christians (mostly Catholics, but there are also Protestants).
State structure of Vietnam
According to the current Constitution of 1992, Vietnam is a socialist republic. Its head is the President.
Legislative power belongs to the unicameral parliament - the National Assembly (consists of 498 deputies). The deputies of the National Assembly elect the President from among their members, who appoints the Prime Minister.
The 1992 Constitution says that the Central role in the political and social life of Vietnam belongs to the Communist Party.
Climate and weather
The climate in Vietnam varies from tropical monsoon to temperate. Monsoons have a great influence on the climate in Vietnam. In Hanoi, the average annual air temperature is +23C, in Ho Chi Minh - +26C, and in Hue - +25C.
The cold season in Vietnam falls on November-April, and the hot season in May-October.
Based on weather conditions, best time to visit North Vietnam (Hanoi) - November-March, Middle Vietnam (Hue) - May-June, and South Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City) - November-April.
Average air temperature in Hanoi, Vietnam:
January - +17C
- February - +18C
- March - +20C
- April - +24С
- May - +28C
- June - +30C
- July - +30C
- August - +29C
- September - +28С
- October - +26С
- November - +22C
- December - +19C
Sea in Vietnam
The shores of Vietnam are washed by the waters of the South China Sea. In August, the sea off the coast of Vietnam warms up to + 29C. The coastline is 3,444 km. It should be noted that from September to January, the sea in Vietnam (and coastal areas) are prone to typhoons. The rest of the time, the sea in Vietnam is very calm and warm, it has a lot of exotic fish and corals.
Rivers and lakes
The Mekong and Hongha rivers flow through the entire territory of Vietnam, which are considered the longest in all of Southeast Asia. In the valleys of these rivers, the Vietnamese grow rice. Thus, in the Mekong Valley, more than 10,000 square kilometers are allocated for rice cultivation.
History of Vietnam
The first states on the territory of modern Vietnam appeared around the 3rd century BC. In 111 BC The state of the Vietnamese became part of the Chinese Empire. By the beginning of the 10th century, Vietnam received autonomy within the Chinese Empire.
Vietnam during the reign of the Tran dynasty repelled three invasions of the Tatar-Mongolian troops. At the same time, Buddhism became the state religion in Vietnam.
In the 16th century, the political life of Vietnam was characterized by an intensification of the struggle for power. During this period, Vietnam is engulfed by several civil wars.
In the middle of the 19th century, France intensified its colonial policy towards Vietnam. As a result, Vietnam becomes a French colony (i.e. Vietnam became part of French Indochina).
French dominance in Vietnam continued until World War II, when Japanese forces invaded French Indochina in 1941. During World War II, the communist movement became widespread in Vietnam. As a result, in September 1945, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam was formed.
Then, with US support, the Republic of Vietnam was established in southern Vietnam. Between the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, which was helped by the USSR, and the Republic of Vietnam (it was helped by the USA), hostilities broke out. In 1965, the United States was forced to send its troops to the territory of southern Vietnam, because. Vietnamese communists won a number of major victories there.
The United States continued the war in Vietnam until 1973, losing several tens of thousands of soldiers and officers killed in it. Only in 1973, in accordance with the Paris Peace Agreement, did the US withdraw its troops from Vietnam.
The Vietnamese Unification War ended in April 1975 after North Vietnamese troops entered Saigon.
In 1977, Vietnam became a member of the UN.
Culture of Vietnam
Until the 1980s, most Vietnamese lived in villages. Now in Vietnam there are already several megacities with a population of more than 1 million people (Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Haiphong and Cant Tho).
The traditions of Vietnam are based on respect for parents and ancestors. The head of a Vietnamese family is its oldest man. Parents choose wives or husbands for their children based on their own ideas of what is best for their child.
However, the French brought Western values to Vietnam (individual and sexual freedom, for example), and this began to undermine the traditional way of life of the Vietnamese. Now the Vietnamese authorities are striving to fight Western influence on traditional Vietnamese culture.
Art (ceramics, pottery) among the inhabitants of Vietnam appeared in the Neolithic era. Buddhism contributed to the development of ceramics (Buddhist statues were made from ceramics).
In Vietnam, there are still craftsmen who are engaged in wood carving. We advise tourists in Vietnam to definitely buy any items made by these masters.
Festivals are an essential part of Vietnamese life. Several dozen large and small festivals are held annually in this country. The most popular of them are Huong Pagoda Festival, Da Lat Flower Festival, Dak Lak Province Elephant Festival, Da Nang Fireworks Festival, Holy Whale Festival, Do Son and Baba Bullfights.
Separately, you need to remember about the Vietnamese New Year according to the lunar calendar - Tet. In terms of scale, nothing can compare with this holiday in Vietnam.
Kitchen
We are sure that any, even the most demanding traveler, will like Vietnamese dishes. When cooking, the Vietnamese often use lemongrass, mint, ginger, and soy sauce. Traditionally, Vietnamese people add very little oil to their dishes. Therefore, Vietnamese cuisine can be safely called one of the healthiest in the world.
The main food products in Vietnam are rice, vegetables, meat (pork, beef, poultry), fish and seafood. Note that many Vietnamese are supporters of vegetarian cuisine, adhering to Buddhist precepts.
Pho soup - rice noodles, filled with chicken broth, with green onions and aromatic herbs;
- Nem - a pancake with a variety of fillings (meat, fish, shrimp);
- Ban Cuon - Vietnamese dumplings made from rice dough, which are steamed;
- Banh Trang - pancakes made from rice dough with various fillings;
- Ka Kho To - fish in caramel sauce;
- Ka Ran Chua - fried fish with sweet and sour sauce.
The traditional Vietnamese soft drink is green tea (Tra). The Chinese drink tea hot (Tra Nam) and cold (Tra Da). Green tea in Vietnam is most often drunk in rural areas, and black tea in cities.
As for alcoholic drinks in Vietnam, we recommend trying (in moderation, of course) local wine, Lua Moi vodka (its strength is 45 degrees), HA NOI vodka (its strength is 29.5 or 33.5 degrees), as well as Vietnamese rum.
Sights of Vietnam
The history of Vietnam goes back many centuries. During this time, the Chinese, Japanese, French, and Americans visited Vietnam (and were expelled from there). Many countries tried to impose their traditions and customs on Vietnam. However, despite this, Vietnam has remained an original country, in which there are a lot of different attractions. The top ten Vietnamese attractions, in our opinion, may include the following:
- Thien Mu Pagoda in Hue
- Pillar Pagoda in Hanoi
- White Horse Temple in Hanoi
- "Palace of Supreme Harmony" in Hue
- Imperial Tombs in Hue
- Seven-tiered Vinh Nghiem Pagoda in Ho Chi Minh City
- Turtle Tower in Hanoi
- Guerrilla Tunnels in Cu Chi
- Museum of Emperors Bao-Tang-Ku-Wat in Hue
- Cot Co Tower in Hanoi
Cities and resorts
The largest Vietnamese cities are Hanoi (more than 6.5 million people), Ho Chi Minh City (more than 7.4 million people), Hai Phong, Kant Tho, Da Nang (more than 900 thousand people), and Bien Hoa (more than 800 thousand people). . pers.).
There are many excellent beach resorts in Vietnam that provide good conditions for recreation, including fishing, diving and excursions. The most popular beach resorts in Vietnam are Phan Thiet, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Da Nang, Vung Tau and Halong.
In recent years, foreigners have increasingly begun to come to Vietnam, appreciating the beaches of this country.
Nha Trang - the beaches of this resort are recognized as one of the best in all of Vietnam. This is a favorite place for divers, because. there are a lot of fish and corals in its vicinity. Nha Trang has 5-star hotels and many entertainment options, including an amusement park.
Another popular beach resort in Vietnam is Phan Thiet. It is located 3 hours drive from Ho Chi Minh City. Wealthy foreigners and residents of Ho Chi Minh City come to Cape Mui Ne beach near Phan Thiet to relax on the unusual pink dunes.
However, many tourists admit that the best beaches in Vietnam are on the island of Phu Quoc, which is located in the west of the country. The sand on the beaches of Fukuoka is fine white.
It should be noted that almost every hotel in Vietnam offers spa services to its guests. In Nha Trang, for example, there is a very large spa center with mud-salt baths, the Center for Traditional Medicine operates in Hanoi, and there are excellent spa hotels in Kimboi (located on mineral waters). In general, mud therapy is very developed in Vietnam.
Spa treatments in Vietnam are developed according to French standards, and, of course, French cosmetics are used.
Separately, mention should be made of the resort of Sapa, located in the north-west of Vietnam. It belongs to the mountain-climatic resorts, and it is no less popular with tourists than beach resorts.
Souvenirs/Shopping
Tourists from Vietnam usually bring silk or cotton clothes, handicrafts, Vietnamese headdresses, bronze Buddhist bells, traditional Vietnamese musical instruments (for example, a flute and a jew's harp), souvenirs reminiscent of the Vietnam-American war, tea, and much more.
Office Hours
In the capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, there are many interesting places for tourists. You can visit them on your own. And you can book a tour, including an individual one. Whichever way you choose, it will still be interesting.
The main and most visited historical sites
Ancient buildings and temples always attract tourists with the opportunity to touch the history of the country. Hanoi is no exception in this regard. There are a lot of ancient architectural monuments, as well as not very old, but also extremely interesting.
- Lake of the Returned Sword. This is a park complex with a large reservoir in the center of the capital, where it is pleasant to just walk, it is equipped with alleys and benches. According to legend, a long time ago a turtle lived in the lake and gave the sword to Le Loi, the emperor who defeated the Chinese invaders. However, after the victory, the turtle asked to return the sword. That is why the body of water is called the Lake of the Returned Sword. The park complex is interesting for the Temple of the Jade Mountain, which houses a stuffed giant tortoise and a beautiful red bridge leading to this temple.
- Thang Long Citadel. The museum complex was previously the residence of emperors. During various wars, it was gradually destroyed and began to be restored quite recently, at the beginning of this century. Some objects have been preserved: towers, gates. But basically only the foundations of palaces, colonnades, and a system of wells remained. The citadel is one of the most visited by tourists in Hanoi.
- Temple of Literature. This landmark of Hanoi is the first university in Vietnam and a place dedicated to Confucius, and therefore it has become a cult for students. Vietnamese students go here to ask to pass the exam. Inside the complex there are several courtyards with beautiful architectural structures.
- Kuan Than Temple. This is one of the oldest temples in the country and one of the most beautiful. The complex is not very large, it is a gate with columns, a courtyard and a building with a bronze statue of Chan Wo - the guardian of the North.
- Hoalo Prison. Here, in the 30s of the last century, the French invaders kept the Vietnamese, who fought for the liberation of the country. The prisoners sat in shackles on their legs and neck, and even women were not given any concessions. But this is not enough: guilty inmates (for example, for a riot in prison) were thrown into a punishment cell. In a completely dark room, the prisoners were kept in chains. After long days in the punishment cell, many went crazy and went blind. Later, during the Vietnam War with the United States, there were captured American soldiers here, but they were not bullied like that. American soldiers with bitter humor called the prison Hanoi Hilton. Now in the prison museum you can see the wax figures of Vietnamese prisoners. And it makes a terrible impression.
- Mausoleum of Ho Chi Minh. In the capital of Vietnam is the tomb of the first president. The mausoleum is worth a visit, although the building itself is of no particular historical value. It was built in the 70s of the last century. Inside is a glass coffin-pedestal with the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh. If one of the tourists believes that looking at the corpses is unethical, you can limit yourself to an external examination, especially since there is a beautiful garden around.
What else to see in Hanoi?
What to see in Hanoi besides historical sites? Be sure to climb one of the observation decks. One of the best is in the LOTTE hotel. You can get up to it very quickly on a high-speed elevator, and there you can see a beautiful view of Hanoi. Also on observation deck There is an area with a glass floor. You can take spectacular photos!
You can go to Hanoi in the Ho Tay amusement park and the adjoining water park of the same name. In the park, tourists get a dose of adrenaline by riding a swing 60 meters high. And the water park will delight you with a variety of slides, pools, diving towers and other water attractions. 
If the main attractions of Hanoi (Vietnam) are examined, you can just walk around the city. Here you will see a combination of different cultures. Despite the fact that the country is full of Asian traditions, Western conquerors actively intervened in its culture. So here you can find Catholic churches and European-style buildings. And Hanoi is also original with a mixture of times: among modern skyscrapers, ancient pagodas suddenly come across. And it looks, oddly enough, quite organically!