A brief introduction to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is governed under the leadership of the Vietnam Communist Party. Its capital city is Hanoi, in the north of the country.

Elections held in June 2006 saw the appointments of, amongst others, President Nguyen Minh Triet, and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. The President, as Head of State, represents Vietnam domestically as well as internationally.

Vietnam has a population of approximately 83 million people; there are 54 ethnic groups of which the Kinh (Viet) people account for 87% of the population. The main religion is Buddhism, followed by Catholicism.

The country is 1,650 km in length from north to south; it is only 50 km across at its narrowest point in the central province of Quang Binh. It consists of 64 provinces of which 5 are also the municipalities of Can Tho, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh.

Its geography is diverse, ranging from low-lying land and deltas in the south, extensive coastline, to hills and mountains in the centre and north. The climate is tropical with high humidity, particularly in the south; the north has a tropical monsoon climate with hot, rainy season (May to September) and warm, dry season (October to March). Central and Northern Vietnam are prone to typhoons between July and November.