VIETNAM
Paige P. 2nd period
Introduction
Vietnam Flag
Initially, the red was symbolizing the independence struggle of Vietnam and the yellow five pointed star represents the color of the people. But, after out efficient system of communism was established, red showed the revolution of the working class and the star represented out great communist leaders.
The world's point of view
Vietnam is in South East Asia, bordering Laos, Cambodia and China.
Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam's largest urban area is Ho Chi Minh City, named after our first great communist leader. This city used to be named Saigon.
"Vietnam- The Workers paradise!"
Geography and Climate
Mountains
Mountains like this are primarily found in the northern region.
Rice Terrraces
Watery rice terraces are common in Vietnam. Rice is one of the main crops.
Rivers
One of South East Asia's most important rivers, the Mekong River, flows through most of Vietnam.
Swamps and Marshes
Swampy areas and marshes like this are plentiful here.
Crystal Clear Beaches
Since Vietnam borders many bodies of water including the South China sea and the Gulf of Thailand, crystal clear sandy beaches like this one can be found along the coasts.
Mountains and Rivers
Combinations of geographical wonders can be found all over Vietnam like this stunning waterfall in a valley of Vietnam.
People and Culture
Family is a center point in the Vietnamese way of life. Homes include immediate as well as extended family and its not uncommon to see 3 generations under one roof. If you are invited to a Vietnamese home, bring gifts of flowers, sweets or fruit and these gifts should be wrapped in colorful paper. Some rules of etiquette are, pass items with both hands, do not point fingers, use your hand, do not stand with your hands on your hips or with your arms crossed over your chest, do not pass any thing over someone's head and shorts are only to be worn at the beach. If you are eating dinner with a Vietnamese family, wait to be shown where to be seated, rest your chopsticks on the chopstick rest or plate every few bites or when beginning to drink or speak, hold the bowl close to your face and place your chopsticks on your rice bowl when you are finished eating.
Forms of entertainment are varied in Vietnam. Martial arts are very popular. So are more western sports like, football, golf and tennis. Theme parks like Dem Sen park and the Ice house in Saigon ( Ho Chi Minh City) are wonderful to visit! Fabulous beaches border the coast like Danang beach, one of the top 20 beaches in the world! There are many holidays too including Tet Nguyen Dan or the lunar new year. Tet begins a week before Mung Mot, the first day of lunar new year. This is when the Kitchen god returns to the Kingdom of Heaven and presents the annual report of earthly matters to the jade emperor before returning to Earth on new years eve. During the week long journey to heaven, the Vietnamese guard themselves from evil spirits. Sounds like fun right?
Traditional food
Vietnamese food is very unique. From the origin, to the philosophy behind the dish and the ingredients that go in it.
Farming
Our farmers grow a variety of produce including, rice, sugarcane, bananas and coffee.
Tet Nguyen Dan
Tet Nguyen Dan is the celebration of the lunar new year. This special holiday is celebrated in January or February depending the lunar calendar.
Government
The President is elected every five years by the National Assembly. He runs for a five year term and acts as commander in chief for the army and chairman for the council of Defense and Security. The government is the main state of power in Vietnam and is headed by the Prime Minister.
To vote in Vietnam you must be a qualified elector, be of 21 years of age or older and have Vietnamese citizenship. The only illegitimacy not to vote is if you have insanity. Marriage laws and restrictions are the same for both genders. The legal age to marry is 18 for women and 20 for men. You can serve up to 2 years in prison for marrying under the legal age. Parental Authority is granted to both parents and both genders have the right to divorce.
Education is very important for many Vietnamese families. Children enjoy 12 years of learning before moving on to higher level learning. Devotion to studying is one of our society's core characteristics. Education is also seen as a chance of improvement. in general, families in Vietnam invest lost of time and money into a good education for youth.
Education
Children experience 12 years of learning before moving on to higher level learning.
President Truong Tan Sang
President Truong Tan Sang has been president since July 2011.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has been Prime Minister since June 2006.
Economy
At first, Vietnam's economy had been built upon agriculture. Then after the French colonization, the North had been for industrial production and the South had been put to agricultural production. Although this created region divisions, advancement in exports simulated domestic business. After the political split in 1954, both regions developed different economic ideas, communism to the North and capitalism to the South. After South Vietnam's loss in the Vietnam war, we were very dependent on the Soviet Union and allies for trade. After the loss of trading partners Vietnam was forced to recognize trade, lower the exchange rate to increase trades, and start on a path to new economic development. Since then we have launched a economic renewal campaign to transition from a centralized economy to a more socialist oriented economy.
Imports of Vietnam-
Refined Petroleum Products
Medicines
Machinery
Military Supplies
Vehicles
Food
Exports of Vietnam-
Coal
Peanuts
Rice
Tea
Handmade Bamboo Products and Rattan Products
Rice
Rice and other agricultural products are major exports.
Manufacuring
The manufacturing of goods are an important source of income.
Transition
Vietnam has been transitioning from a centralized economy to a more socialist oriented economy.