Enchanting natural wonders, lush green trees and peaceful rural community life are one of the highlights of this S-shape country.  Vietnam stretches its length up to the eastern most side of Indo-Chinese Peninsula in Southeast Asia.  Vietnam has three diverse areas: the north, which is known for its alpine peaks, the Central Vietnam, which is characterized for its awesome beaches, dunes and lagoons and in the south, it gives its visitors a superb experience of the modern life in Hon Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon.  Vietnam is listed among the “Next Eleven” countries (a list of eleven countries, which has promising outlooks for investments in the near future).

PROFILE
Area: 332,501 sq km (128,379 sq mi)
Capital: Hanoi
Climate: Due to its differences in latitude, the climate varies from one place to another. The south of Vietnam has two seasons: the dry (December-April) and the wet (May-November and the wettest is from June to August).  From February to May the country will experience the hottest and most humid weather.  On the other hand, the north will experience cool, moist winter from November to April.  Furthermore, sizzling summers will start from May to October.
Nationality: Vietnamese (singular or plural)
Population: Vietnam’s population is more than 80 million.  More than 54 ethnic minorities lived throughout the country.  Vietnamese people are also called as Viet or Kinh.
Religion: Mahayana Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism strongly influence the religious life of Vietnamese people.  In fact, Buddhism is the dominant religion in Vietnam.  On the other hand Catholicism, Protestantism, Caodaism, and Hoa Hao Sect are also practiced by some Vietnamese.
Language: Vietnamese is the official language spoken by the people of Vietnam.  In addition, there are other several languages spoken by several minority groups like Tày, Mường, Khmer, Chinese, Nùng, and H'Mông.  Some older Vietnamese used French as a second official language.  However, English is becoming famous and favored as Vietnam’s second language.  In fact, studying English is obligatory in most schools.
Form of government: Communist state

Currency: Vietnamese Dong is the currency is Vietnam.  Nevertheless, US Dollars are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and shops.

CULTURE
Due to long association with Chinese, the culture of Vietnam is highly influenced by these people.  But as time passed by, Vietnam culture was also influenced by Southeast Asian, European and American culture. 

When it comes to Vietnamese cuisine they only use a little oil and plenty of vegetables.  Their main dishes are often based on rice, soy sauce and fish sauce.  Vietnamese music varies in three regions. Football or soccer is the most famous sport in Vietnam.  Other sports such as badminton, tennis, ping pong and chess are also played. Women’s volleyball is the most watched among numerous Vietnamese.

ECONOMY

Despite the war that destroyed much of Vietnam’s economy it never discouraged the government to pursue and recover what they had lost.  In fact, Vietnam is included in the list of the “Next Eleven” countries by Goldman Sachs.  The GDP growth of Vietnam reached up to 8.17% in 2006, the fastest growth rate in Southeast Asia and second on East Asia this is according to government figures.  Moreover, Vietnam is the largest producer of cashew nuts and dub as the second largest exporter of rice in the world.