ASIA
VIETNAM BY BLAIR OCONNELL
VIETNAM
Vietnam is a long narrow country stretching from China
To the Gulf of Thailand. There are seven geographical
regions, including the Red River delta, the Mekong River
delta, narrow coastal plains and north western and central
highlands. Approximately 75 percent of Vietnam’s land
area is mountainous, with only 22 percent available for
crops, mostly in the river deltas
The climate is shaped by monsoons, which bring rain
from May to September (until November in the central
and southern areas). December to February are cooler
months, providing some relief from heat and humidity. Most Vietnamese are Kinh, yet there are more than
54 minority ethnic groups. The national language is
Vietnamese life reflects a blend of Buddhist,
Taoist and Confucian beliefs. There are small groups of
Muslims, Christians and the Cao-Dai and Hoa Hao sects. One thousand years of Chinese rule ended in 938 AD, but
Vietnamese rulers had to repeatedly repel Chinese armies
in later centuries. France colonised Vietnam in the mid-19th
century, maintaining control until the Japanese invaded in
1940. Although attempts were made to re-establish control
after World War 2, the French were ultimately repelled.
Vietnamese life reflects a blend of Buddhist,
Taoist and Confucian beliefs. There are small groups of
Muslims, Christians and the Cao-Dai and Hoa Hao sects. One thousand years of Chinese rule ended in 938 AD, but
Vietnamese rulers had to repeatedly repel Chinese armies
in later centuries. France colonised Vietnam in the mid-19th
century, maintaining control until the Japanese invaded in
1940. Although attempts were made to re-establish control
after World War 2, the French were ultimately repelled.
The climate is shaped by monsoons, which bring rain
from May to September (until November in the central
and southern areas). December to February are cooler
months, providing some relief from heat and humidity. Most Vietnamese are Kinh, yet there are more than
54 minority ethnic groups. The national language is
Vietnamese life reflects a blend of Buddhist,
Taoist and Confucian beliefs. There are small groups of
Muslims, Christians and the Cao-Dai and Hoa Hao sects. One thousand years of Chinese rule ended in 938 AD, but
Vietnamese rulers had to repeatedly repel Chinese armies
in later centuries. France colonised Vietnam in the mid-19th
century, maintaining control until the Japanese invaded in
1940. Although attempts were made to re-establish control
after World War 2, the French were ultimately repelled.
Vietnamese life reflects a blend of Buddhist,
Taoist and Confucian beliefs. There are small groups of
Muslims, Christians and the Cao-Dai and Hoa Hao sects. One thousand years of Chinese rule ended in 938 AD, but
Vietnamese rulers had to repeatedly repel Chinese armies
in later centuries. France colonised Vietnam in the mid-19th
century, maintaining control until the Japanese invaded in
1940. Although attempts were made to re-establish control
after World War 2, the French were ultimately repelled.