Vietnam Facts - People, Places and Politics

Wrapping its way along the eastern edge of themembers. The Assembly meets two times a
Indochina Peninsula is the Southeast Asian countryyear.
of Vietnam. Vietnam is home to over 85 millionJust after the Vietnam War, the Communist
people and is the 13th most populous country ongovernment collectivized agriculture and industry.
the planet. It is bordered by China, Laos, andThis action combined with the effects of the war
Cambodia. The country covers over 330,000caused the economy to suffer tremendously.
square kilometers of land.When trade partners started disappearing, the
Vietnam is a beautiful country, known for itsgovernment of Vietnam began to encourage
mountains and tropical forests. The climate ofmore private ownership of industries and farms.
Vietnam varies depending on the elevation. In theThis began a period of economic growth within
plains and forest areas, a tropical climate is normal.the country.
However, in the mountains the temperatures canToday, the country itself is growing economically.
drop quite a bit in the winter months. MonsoonsHowever, the people are still quite poor in general.
are common along the northeastern coasts ofWhile fewer people are living significantly below
Vietnam.the poverty line in the country, few of the
Vietnam is officially known as the Socialist Republicgeneral population of Vietnam has much
of Vietnam. The country has a Communistexpendable income.
government. Only political organizations that theToday, tourism in Vietnam is a growing industry.
Communist Party endorses can participate inBecause of the unmarred beauty of many of the
elections, but elections are held from time to time,tropical forests in Vietnam, people enjoy visiting
giving the people some say in the government.and seeing this natural beauty for themselves.
The President of Vietnam controls the military.The coastal regions are gaining polarity, and the
The Prime Minister is the main government leader,government is focusing money on developing
controlling most of the actions of the Executivethese areas to make them even more appealing
Branch.to guests. The government is embracing these
The legislative body of Vietnam is the Nationalguests and enjoying the economic boost that
Assembly of Vietnam. The Assembly appoints alltheir travels bring. As such, people along the
of the members of the executive and judicialcoastal regions tend to speak a good deal of
branches. The members of the National AssemblyEnglish to help them as they interact with
are elected, but they are all Communist Partyinternational tourists.