Vietnam

938 CE (January 6, Thursday): Battle of Bạch Đằng River, Vietnamese forces led by Ngô Quyền defeat the Chinese Southern Han, establishing independence

1858 (August 1, Saturday): French forces invade Vietnam, marking the beginning of French colonization

1945 (August 19, Sunday): Viet Minh, led by Hồ Chí Minh, declares independence from France, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam

1954 (July 21, Wednesday): The Geneva Accords are signed, temporarily dividing Vietnam at the 17th parallel

1955 (August 26, Friday): The Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) is established

1964 (August 2, Sunday): Gulf of Tonkin incident, leading to the escalation of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War

1975 (April 30, Wednesday): Fall of Saigon, marking the end of the Vietnam War and the reunification of Vietnam under communist control

1986 (December 10, Wednesday): The Đổi Mới (Renovation) reforms begin, transitioning Vietnam to a socialist-oriented market economy

1994 (February 3, Thursday): The United States lifts its trade embargo on Vietnam

2008 (October 10, Friday): Typhoon Ketsana strikes central Vietnam, causing massive flooding and fatalities

2020 (November 10, Tuesday): Typhoon Vamco hits Vietnam, causing widespread flooding and significant damage to infrastructure

2021 (October 2021): Vietnam faces severe flooding in the central region due to typhoon-induced heavy rainfall, displacing thousands

Continent: Asia
Location: Southeast Asia, bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea to the east
Capital: Hanoi
Language: Vietnamese
Currency: Vietnamese đồng (VND)
Population: ~100 million (last updated: April 2025)
Time Zone: Indochina Time (ICT)

Borders: China, Laos, Cambodia
Landscape: Long coastline, mountainous regions, deltas (notably the Mekong Delta), hills, and fertile plains
Major Rivers: Mekong River, Red River
Major Mountains: Fansipan (highest point), Annamite Range, Ba Na Hills
Deserts: None
Lakes: Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake
Volcanoes: None significant
Highest Point: Fansipan (3,147 m / 10,326 ft)
Lowest Point: South China Sea (0 m / sea level)
Climate: Tropical in the south, monsoon in the north, seasonal variation with cool winters in the northern regions and hot, humid summers in the southern regions
Geological Features: Limestone karsts in Ha Long Bay, extensive delta systems in the Mekong and Red rivers

Ethnic Groups: Predominantly Kinh (Viet), with several minority ethnic groups such as Tay, Thai, H’mong, and Khmer
Religion: Predominantly non-religious or adherents of ancestor worship, with minorities practicing Buddhism, Christianity, and indigenous faiths
Urban Population: ~35% (last updated: 2023)
Aging Population: ~8% aged 65+ (last updated: 2024)

Famous For: History of resistance, cuisine, art, and vibrant traditions
Cuisine: Pho, banh mi, spring rolls, rice dishes, seafood
Arts: Traditional music (Ca trù, quan họ), water puppetry, silk painting, contemporary art
Sports: Football (soccer), volleyball, badminton, traditional martial arts
Popular Festivals: Tết (Lunar New Year), Mid-Autumn Festival, Hung Kings Temple Festival

Economy Type: Socialist-oriented mixed economy
GDP: Approx. $415 billion USD (last updated: 2024)
Major Industries: Manufacturing (electronics, textiles, footwear), agriculture, oil and gas, tourism
Key Exports: Electronics, textiles, footwear, coffee, seafood, rice
Unemployment Rate: ~3.5% (last updated: 2024)
Economic Regions: Manufacturing hub in the south (Ho Chi Minh City), agricultural regions in the north and central plains

Government Type: Socialist republic
Head of State: President Vo Van Thuong (as of April 2025)
Head of Government: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (as of April 2025)
Legislature: Unicameral National Assembly
Constitution: In effect since 1992
Political Parties: Communist Party of Vietnam (dominant political party)
Important Note: Vietnam is a one-party state, with the Communist Party maintaining control over the government

Hanoi: Historic capital with ancient temples, the Hoan Kiem Lake, and the Old Quarter
Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon): The vibrant southern city, famous for French colonial architecture, markets, and war history
Ha Long Bay: UNESCO World Heritage site with limestone islands and caves
Hue: Ancient imperial capital with the Imperial City and royal tombs
Hoi An: Ancient town famous for its preserved architecture, lantern-lit streets, and cultural heritage
Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park: Known for its extensive cave systems, including the world’s largest cave, Son Doong