This post contains a brief history and some key facts about Vietnam, cherrypicked from information provided by our guide around Halong Bay, called Diep, and from reading the Vietnam posting on Wikepedia.
- Population: Circa 90 million people, so it is the 13th most populace country in world.
- Capital: Hanoi has been the capital since reunification in 1976. There have been three capitals across Vietnamese history.
- State Religion: Buddhism.
- Flag: Red background with golden five pointed star. The red symbolises both the national flower and also the blood that was spilt unifying the country. The five pointed star portrays, supposedly, either the five types of people (worker, farmer, literature, etc) and also the five elements (fire, water, etc).
- Currency: Vietnamese Dong (VND) which has an exchange of x Dong to Pound Sterling. Inflation was triple-digit in the 1970s and the currency was devalued three times in 2010 alone.
- History: 4,000 years
- Largest Ethnic Group: Viet which makes up 80% of population.
- Language: The most popular first language is Vietnamese; with French as the most popular second language amongst the educated. English is increasingly used now that Vietnam is more active on the international stage.
- Administrative Subdivisions: 58 provinces.
- Exports: Vietnam is the largest exporter of Cashew nuts and Black Pepper, accounting for a third of the worlds exports, and the second largest exporter of rice.
- Country Motto: Independence - Freedom - Happiness.
The name Vietnam translates into 'South Viet' with Viet deriving from the Imperialist description for people who live in southern China, including what is now Vietnam. Whilst the name Vietnam was referred to from the start of the 19th century, it seems that this officially became the name after World War Two, as before this point in time it was usually referred to as Annam.
Historically, Vietnam was part of Imperial China for 1,000 years until 938 AD, from which time Vietnamese Royal Dynasties ruled until French colonised the country in the mid-19th century. At this point Vietnam was integrated into French Indochina until they were removed in 1954. During World War Two however, Vietnam when was invaded by the Japanese. The Japanese used Vietnam's natural resources to support its military during World War Two, which directly caused over two million deaths during the 'Vietnamese Famine' in 1945.
The removal of the Japanese allowed the Ho Chi Minh led Communists to occupy Hanoi and subsequently they fought against French backed loyalists from southern Vietnam. This conflict between 1946 and 1954, which was classified as the First Indochina war, created two states as a result of the ceasefire, with the country partitioned along the Demilitarised Zone.
A 300-day 'period of free movement' followed between the North and the South as many people fled the North fearing persecution by the communists. The split wasn't intended to be permanent. Elections were scheduled for 1956 that would have reunited the country but, unfortunately, fraudulent elections in the south meant that sides entrenched. This resulted in Viet Cong guerrilla campaigns against the south, subsequently caused American participation and escalated to what became known as the Vietnam War.
Following heavy military defeats and casualties America withdrew forces in 1973. This allowed the North to complete its victory over the South such that Vietnam reunified in 1976 to form the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The death toll in the Vietnam war is believed to have reached circa 3 million people.
After 1976, socialist reforms caused social and economic chaos across the country. Millions of Southern Vietnamese were either sent to 'reeducation camps', forced to carry out hard labour or were executed. The country also experienced triple-digit inflation during this period.
Vietnam seemed to struggle and stay on the sidelines international until the middle 1980s when the country decide to reform. Since the reforms started in 1986 Vietnam has moved from a 'planned' economy to a 'socialist orientated market economy', which has allowed more private ownership and foreign investment.
It is interesting to note that the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is one of only four (China, Loas and Cuba are the others) remaining in the world. However, despite this and the fact that only political organisations either affiliated or permitted by the Communist Party are allowed to participate in elections, the Economist categorises Vietnam's rulers as "ardently Capitalist Communists". Although in contrast to this Vietnam, like China, still continues to formulate and adopt centrally planned five year plans.
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