Page last updated on January 31, 2014

Introduction:
Background:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and was completed by 1884. It became part of French Indochina in 1887. Vietnam declared independence after World War II, but France continued to rule until its 1954 defeat by communist forces under Ho Chi MINH. Under the Geneva Accords of 1954, Vietnam was divided into the communist North and anti-communist South. US economic and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, North Vietnamese forces overran the South reuniting the country under communist rule. Despite the return of peace, for over a decade the country experienced little economic growth because of conservative leadership policies, the persecution and mass exodus of individuals - many of them successful South Vietnamese merchants - and growing international isolation. However, since the enactment of Vietnam's "doi moi" (renovation) policy in 1986, Vietnamese authorities have committed to increased economic liberalization and enacted structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries. The communist leaders, however, maintain control on political expression and have resisted outside calls to improve human rights. The country continues to experience small-scale protests from various groups - the vast majority connected to land-use issues, calls for increased political space, and the lack of equitable mechanisms for resolving disputes. Various ethnic minorities, such as the Montagnards of the Central Highlands and the Khmer Krom in the southern delta region, have also held protests.
Geography:
Location:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, as well as China, Laos, and Cambodia
Geographic coordinates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16 10 N, 107 50 E
Map references:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Southeast Asia
Area:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 331,210 sq km
country comparison to the world: 66
land: 310,070 sq km
water: 21,140 sq km
Area - comparative:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 4,639 km
border countries: Cambodia 1,228 km, China 1,281 km, Laos 2,130 km
Coastline:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3,444 km (excludes islands)
Maritime claims:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
territorial sea: 12 nm
contiguous zone: 24 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
continental shelf: 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin
Climate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (May to September) and warm, dry season (October to March)
Terrain:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly, mountainous in far north and northwest
Elevation extremes:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: Fan Si Pan 3,144 m
Natural resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
phosphates, coal, manganese, rare earth elements, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil and gas deposits, timber, hydropower
Land use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
arable land: 19.64%
permanent crops: 11.18%
other: 69.18% (2011)
Irrigated land:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
45,850 sq km (2005)
Total renewable water resources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
884.1 cu km (2011)
Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 82.03 cu km/yr (1%/4%/95%)
per capita: 965 cu m/yr (2005)
Natural hazards:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta
Environment - current issues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices contribute to deforestation and soil degradation; water pollution and overfishing threaten marine life populations; groundwater contamination limits potable water supply; growing urban industrialization and population migration are rapidly degrading environment in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City
Environment - international agreements:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geography - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
extending 1,650 km north to south, the country is only 50 km across at its narrowest point
People and Society:
Nationality:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
noun: Vietnamese (singular and plural)
adjective: Vietnamese
Ethnic groups:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Kinh (Viet) 85.7%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.8%, Muong 1.5%, Khmer 1.5%, Mong 1.2%, Nung 1.1%, others 5.3% (1999 census)
Languages:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer, mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)
Religions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Buddhist 9.3%, Catholic 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%, Protestant 0.5%, Muslim 0.1%, none 80.8% (1999 census)
Population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
92,477,857 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
Age structure:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0-14 years: 24.6% (male 11,931,623/female 10,807,661)
15-24 years: 18.4% (male 8,796,395/female 8,215,536)
25-54 years: 44.4% (male 20,554,252/female 20,551,460)
55-64 years: 7% (male 2,936,340/female 3,517,538)
65 years and over: 5.6% (male 1,986,839/female 3,180,213) (2013 est.)
population pyramid: "> Dependency ratios:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total dependency ratio: 41.4 %
youth dependency ratio: 32.1 %
elderly dependency ratio: 9.3 %
potential support ratio: 10.7 (2013)
Median age:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 28.7 years
male: 27.6 years
female: 29.7 years (2013 est.)
Population growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.03% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113
Birth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
16.56 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 122
Death rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.94 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 168
Net migration rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-0.33 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
Urbanization:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
urban population: 31% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 3.03% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
Major urban areas - population:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Ho Chi Minh City 5.976 million; HANOI (capital) 2.668 million; Haiphong 1.941 million; Da Nang 807,000 (2009)
Sex ratio:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
at birth: 1.12 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.1 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.83 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.62 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
22.6 (2002 est.)
Maternal mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
59 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 102
Infant mortality rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 19.61 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 95
male: 19.97 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 19.19 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
Life expectancy at birth:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total population: 72.65 years
country comparison to the world: 130
male: 70.2 years
female: 75.4 years (2013 est.)
Total fertility rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.87 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
Contraceptive prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
77.8% (2010/11)
Health expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.8% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 86
Physicians density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.22 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
Hospital bed density:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.2 beds/1,000 population (2010)
Drinking water source:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
Sanitation facility access:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
improved:
unimproved:
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.4% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 70
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
280,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
HIV/AIDS - deaths:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
14,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
Major infectious diseases:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis
note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2013)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1.7% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 186
Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
20.2% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 35
Education expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
6.6% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world: 29
Literacy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 93.4%
male: 95.4%
female: 91.4% (2011 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 10 years
male: 11 years
female: 10 years (2001)
Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total number: 2,545,616
percentage: 16 % (2006 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 5.5%
country comparison to the world: 135
male: 4.6%
female: 6.5% (2012)
Government:
Country name:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
conventional long form: Socialist Republic of Vietnam
conventional short form: Vietnam
local long form: Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam
local short form: Viet Nam
abbreviation: SRV
Government type:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Communist state
Capital:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: Hanoi (Ha Noi)
geographic coordinates: 21 02 N, 105 51 E
time difference: UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
Administrative divisions:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
58 provinces (tinh, singular and plural) and 5 municipalities (thanh pho, singular and plural)
provinces: An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Dien Bien, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Ha Nam, Ha Tinh, Hai Duong, Hau Giang, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai
municipalities: Can Tho, Da Nang, Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Independence:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2 September 1945 (from France)
National holiday:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Independence Day, 2 September (1945)
Constitution:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
several previous; latest adopted 15 April 1992, effective 1 January 1995; amended 2001; note - in early 2013, the Vietnamese Government asked for public comment on its constitution (2013)
Legal system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
civil law system; note - the civil code of 2005 reflects a European-style civil law
International law organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Suffrage:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of state: President Truong Tan SANG (since 25 July 2011); Vice President Nguyen Thi DOAN (since 25 July 2007)
head of government: Prime Minister Nguyen Tan DUNG (since 27 June 2006); Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc DAM (since 13 November 2013), Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung HAI (since 2 August 2007), Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh MINH (since 13 November 2013), Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van NINH (since 3 August 2011), and Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan PHUC (since 3 August 2011)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by president based on proposal of prime minister and confirmed by National Assembly
(For more information visit the World Leaders website )
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
elections: president elected by the National Assembly from among its members for five-year term; last election held 25 July 2011 (next to be held in July 2016); prime minister appointed by the president from among the members of the National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by the prime minister; appointment of prime minister and deputy prime ministers confirmed by National Assembly
election results: Truong Tan SANG elected president, percent of National Assembly vote - 97%; Nguyen Tan DUNG elected prime minister, percent of National Assembly vote - 94%
Legislative branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
unicameral National Assembly or Quoc Hoi (500 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 22 May 2011 (next to be held in May 2016)
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - CPV 458, non-party CPV-approved 38, self-nominated 4; note - 500 candidates were elected; the 496 CPV and non-party CPV-approved delegates were members of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front and were vetted prior to the election
Judicial branch:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
highest court(s): Supreme People's Court (consists of the chief justice and 13 judges)
judge selection and term of office: chief justice elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president for a 5-year, renewable term; other judges appointed by the president for 5-year terms
subordinate courts: Court of Appeals; administrative, civil, criminal, economic, and labor courts; Central Military Court; People's Special Courts; note - the National Assembly can establish special tribunals
Political parties and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Communist Party of Vietnam or CPV [Nguyen Phu TRONG]
note: other parties proscribed
Political pressure groups and leaders:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
8406 Bloc
note: these groups advocate democracy but are not recognized by the government
International organization participation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, CICA, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador Nguyen Quoc CUONG (since 2 May 2011)
chancery: 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036
telephone: [1] (202) 861-0737
FAX: [1] (202) 861-0917
consulate(s) general: Houston, New York, San Francisco
consulate: New York
Diplomatic representation from the US:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
chief of mission: Ambassador David B. SHEAR (since 4 August 2011)
embassy: Rose Garden Building, 170 Ngoc Khanh St., Hanoi
mailing address: 7 Lang Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi; 4550 Hanoi Place, Washington, DC 20521-4550
telephone: [84] (4) 3850-5000
FAX: [84] (4) 3850-5010
consulate(s) general: Ho Chi Minh City
Flag description:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
red field with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center; red symbolizes revolution and blood, the five-pointed star represents the five elements of the populace - peasants, workers, intellectuals, traders, and soldiers - that unite to build socialism
National symbol(s):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
yellow, five-pointed star on red field
National anthem:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
name: "Tien quan ca" (The Song of the Marching Troops)
lyrics/music: Nguyen Van CAO
note: adopted as the national anthem of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945; it became the national anthem of the unified Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976; although it consists of two verses, only the first is used as the official anthem
Economy:
Economy - overview:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
Vietnam is a densely-populated developing country that has been transitioning from the rigidities of a centrally-planned economy since 1986. Vietnamese authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to economic modernization in recent years. Vietnam joined the World Trade Organization in January 2007, which has promoted more competitive, export-driven industries. Vietnam became an official negotiating partner in the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement in 2010. Agriculture's share of economic output has continued to shrink from about 25% in 2000 to less than 22% in 2012, while industry's share increased from 36% to nearly 41% in the same period. State-owned enterprises account for roughly 40% of GDP. Poverty has declined significantly, and Vietnam is working to create jobs to meet the challenge of a labor force that is growing by more than one million people every year. The global recession hurt Vietnam's export-oriented economy, with GDP in 2012 growing at 5%, the slowest rate of growth since 1999. In 2012, however, exports increased by more than 18%, year-on-year; several administrative actions brought the trade deficit back into balance. Between 2008 and 2011, Vietnam's managed currency, the dong, was devalued in excess of 20%, but its value remained stable in 2012. Foreign direct investment inflows fell 4.5% to $10.5 billion in 2012. Foreign donors have pledged $6.5 billion in new development assistance for 2013. Hanoi has oscillated between promoting growth and emphasizing macroeconomic stability in recent years. In February 2011, the government shifted from policies aimed at achieving a high rate of economic growth, which had stoked inflation, to those aimed at stabilizing the economy, through tighter monetary and fiscal control. Although Vietnam unveiled a broad, "three pillar" economic reform program in early 2012, proposing the restructuring of public investment, state-owned enterprises, and the banking sector, little perceptible progress had been made by early 2013. Vietnam's economy continues to face challenges from an undercapitalized banking sector. Non-performing loans weigh heavily on banks and businesses. In September 2012, the official bad debt ratio climbed to 8.8%, though some independent analysts believe it could be higher than 15%.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$336.2 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
GDP (official exchange rate):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$153.5 billion (2012 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
5.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
GDP - per capita (PPP):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$3,800 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 167
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
Gross national saving:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
39% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
GDP - composition, by end use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
household consumption: 65.7%
government consumption: 6.6%
investment in fixed capital: 29.7%
investment in inventories: 3.5%
exports of goods and services: 86.2%
imports of goods and services: -91.7%
GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 19.7%
industry: 38.6%
services: 41.7% (2012 est.)
Agriculture - products:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
paddy rice, coffee, rubber, tea, pepper, soybeans, cashews, sugar cane, peanuts, bananas; poultry; fish, seafood
Industries:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
food processing, garments, shoes, machine-building; mining, coal, steel; cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, mobile phones
Industrial production growth rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 63
Labor force:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
52.29 million (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 12
Labor force - by occupation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
agriculture: 48%
industry: 21%
services: 31% (2012)
Unemployment rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
3.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
Population below poverty line:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
11.3% (2012 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
lowest 10%: 3.2%
highest 10%: 30.2% (2008)
Distribution of family income - Gini index:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
37.6 (2008)
country comparison to the world: 75
Budget:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
revenues: $38.89 billion
expenditures: $45.38 billion (2012 est.)
Taxes and other revenues:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
25.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
-4.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 149
Public debt:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
48.1% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 69
note: official data; data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions
Fiscal year:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
calendar year
Inflation rate (consumer prices):
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.1% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
Central bank discount rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9% (31 December 2012)
country comparison to the world: 11
Commercial bank prime lending rate:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
13.47% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Stock of narrow money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$40.34 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
Stock of broad money:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$163.9 billion (30 October 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
Stock of domestic credit:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$163.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43
Market value of publicly traded shares:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$38.2 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Current account balance:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$9.062 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$114.6 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 37
Exports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
clothes, shoes, electronics, seafood, crude oil, rice, coffee, wooden products, machinery
Exports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
US 17.8%, Japan 11.8%, China 11.2%, South Korea 5%, Malaysia 4.1% (2012)
Imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$104.7 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Imports - commodities:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
machinery and equipment, petroleum products, steel products, raw materials for the clothing and shoe industries, electronics, plastics, automobiles
Imports - partners:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
China 25.8%, South Korea 13.9%, Japan 10.4%, Singapore 6%, Thailand 5.2%, US 4.3% (2012)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$26.11 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 55
Debt - external:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$63.95 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 57
Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$73.71 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 48
Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
$7.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Exchange rates:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
dong (VND) per US dollar -
Energy:
Electricity - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
117 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Electricity - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
104 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Electricity - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
964 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 58
Electricity - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.7 billion kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49
Electricity - installed generating capacity:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
26.3 million kW (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 32
Electricity - from fossil fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
55% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
45% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 51
Electricity - from other renewable sources:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0.1% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
Crude oil - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
363,500 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
Crude oil - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
188,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
Crude oil - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
Crude oil - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
4.4 billion bbl (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 25
Refined petroleum products - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
112,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 72
Refined petroleum products - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
259,900 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 47
Refined petroleum products - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
37,050 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 65
Refined petroleum products - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
184,900 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 28
Natural gas - production:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
9.3 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 44
Natural gas - consumption:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.2 billion cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46
Natural gas - exports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
0 cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 203
Natural gas - imports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
890 million cu m (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
Natural gas - proved reserves:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
699.4 billion cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 30
Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
112.7 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 39
Communications:
Telephones - main lines in use:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
10.191 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 21
Telephones - mobile cellular:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
134.066 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 8
Telephone system:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
general assessment: Vietnam is putting considerable effort into modernization and expansion of its telecommunication system
domestic: all provincial exchanges are digitalized and connected to Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City by fiber-optic cable or microwave radio relay networks; main lines have been increased, and the use of mobile telephones is growing rapidly
international: country code - 84; a landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3, the C2C, and Thailand-Vietnam-Hong Kong submarine cable systems; the Asia-America Gateway submarine cable system, completed in 2009, provided new access links to Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) (2011)
Broadcast media:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
government controls all broadcast media exercising oversight through the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC); government-controlled national TV provider, Vietnam Television (VTV), operates a network of 9 channels with several regional broadcasting centers; programming is relayed nationwide via a network of provincial and municipal TV stations; law limits access to satellite TV but many households are able to access foreign programming via home satellite equipment; government-controlled Voice of Vietnam, the national radio broadcaster, broadcasts on 6 channels and is repeated on AM, FM, and shortwave stations throughout Vietnam (2008)
Internet country code:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
.vn
Internet hosts:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
189,553 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 74
Internet users:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
23.382 million (2009)
country comparison to the world: 17
Transportation:
Airports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
45 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 96
Airports - with paved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 38
over 3,047 m: 10
2,438 to 3,047 m: 6
1,524 to 2,437 m: 13
914 to 1,523 m: 9 (2013)
Airports - with unpaved runways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 7
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
914 to 1,523 m: 3
under 914 m:
Heliports:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
1 (2013)
Pipelines:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
condensate 72 km; condensate/gas 398 km; gas 955 km; oil 128 km; oil/gas/water 33 km; refined products 206 km; water 13 km (2013)
Railways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 2,632 km
country comparison to the world: 62
standard gauge: 527 km 1.435-m gauge
narrow gauge: 2,105 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)
Roadways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 206,633 km
country comparison to the world: 24
paved: 148,338 km
unpaved: 47,130 km (2013)
Waterways:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
47,130 km (30,831 km weight under 50 tons) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 4
Merchant marine:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
total: 579
country comparison to the world: 20
by type: barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 142, cargo 335, chemical tanker 23, container 19, liquefied gas 7, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 48, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1
registered in other countries: 86 (Cambodia 1, Kiribati 2, Mongolia 33, Panama 43, Taiwan 1, Tuvalu 6) (2010)
Ports and terminals:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
major seaport(s): Cam Pha Port, Da Nang, Haiphong, Phu My, Quy Nhon
river port(s): Ho Chi Minh (Mekong)
container port(s) (TEUs): Haiphong (1,018,794), Saigon New Port (3,071,777)
Transportation - note:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift
Military:
Military branches:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
People's Armed Forces: People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN; includes Vietnam People's Navy (with Naval Infantry), Vietnam People's Air and Air Defense Force, Border Defense Command, Coast Guard) (2013)
Military service age and obligation:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
18-25 years of age for male compulsory and voluntary military service; females may volunteer for active duty military service; conscription typically takes place twice annually and service obligation is 18 months (Army, Air Defense), 2 years (Navy and Air Force); 18-45 years of age (male) or 18-40 years of age (female) for Militia Force or Self Defense Force service; males may enroll in military schools at age 17 (2013)
Manpower available for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 25,649,738
females age 16-49: 24,995,692 (2010 est.)
Manpower fit for military service:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
males age 16-49: 20,405,847
females age 16-49: 21,098,102 (2010 est.)
Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
male: 847,743
female: 787,341 (2010 est.)
Military expenditures:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
2.37% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 103
Transnational Issues:
Disputes - international:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; Cambodia and Laos protest Vietnamese squatters and armed encroachments along border; Cambodia accuses Vietnam of a wide variety of illicit cross-border activities; progress on a joint development area with Cambodia is hampered by an unresolved dispute over sovereignty of offshore islands; an estimated 300,000 Vietnamese refugees reside in China; establishment of a maritime boundary with Cambodia is hampered by unresolved dispute over the sovereignty of offshore islands; the decade-long demarcation of the China-Vietnam land boundary was completed in 2009; China occupies the Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; Brunei claims a maritime boundary extending beyond as far as a median with Vietnam, thus asserting an implicit claim to Lousia Reef; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; Vietnam continues to expand construction of facilities in the Spratly Islands; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; Economic Exclusion Zone negotiations with Indonesia are ongoing, and the two countries in Fall 2011 agreed to work together to reduce illegal fishing along their maritime boundary
Refugees and internally displaced persons:
Field Background: For all countries in alphabetical order
stateless persons: 11,500 (2012); note - Vietnam's stateless ethnic Chinese Cambodian population dates to the 1970s when thousands of Cambodians fled to Vietnam to escape the Khmer Rouge and were no longer recognized as Cambodian citizens; Vietnamese women who gave up their citizenship to marry foreign men have found themselves stateless after divorcing and returning home to Vietnam; the government addressed this problem in 2009, and Vietnamese women are beginning to reclaim their citizenship