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VIETNAM 越南

Geography

Vietnam shares its border with Cambodia, Laos and China with its 1,600 km coastline facing the East Sea. Its topography varies from coastal plains to mountain ranges.

Climate

Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate with wet and dry seasons which vary from north to south and with elevation changes. November - April is the dry season in the north, Central Highlands and south. The best times to visit are October - January (Hanoi); February - April (Hue and Danang); and December - March (from Dalat to the Mekong Delta).

Cities/Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	June	July	Aug	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
Ho Chi Minh city
Max (Celsius)	36	39	39	40	39	38	35	35	35	35	35	36
Min (Celsius)	13	16	17	20	22	20	19	20	21	20	14	13
Humidity (%)	74	71	71	74	80	84	84	85	86	83	82	78
Rain (mm)	14	5	12	50	221	315	296	274	332	264	115	51
Typhoon Nh											x	x
Nha Trang
Min (Celsius)	15	15	16	19	20	19	21	21	21	19	17	15
Humidity (%)	78	78	80	81	80	79	78	79	82	84	83	79
Rain (mm)	50	18	31	40	61	47	42	53	162	322	359	174
Typhoon										x	x	x
Danang
Max (Celsius)	35	37	40	40	41	40	41	39	38	36	32	31
Min (Celsius)	11	14	14	17	21	22	21	21	20	15	13	12
Humidity (%)	86	85	85	83	80	77	75	78	83	85	88	85
Rain (mm)	111	39	24	29	63	76	84	116	373	585	368	224
Typhoon									x	x	x	x
Hue
Min (Celsius)	9	11	12	14	17	20	19	21	20	16	13	11
Humidity (%)	90	90	88	84	80	76	77	77	81	88	88	90
Rain (mm)	188	89	57	64	78	104	76	124	498	744	693	346
Typhoon									x	x	x
Hanoi
Max (Celsius)	33	35	37	39	43	40	40	39	37	36	36	32
Min (Celsius)	3	5	9	10	15	20	22	21	16	12	7	5
Humidity (%)	80	84	88	87	83	83	84	85	85	85	81	81
Rain (mm)	18	26	48	81	194	236	302	323	262	123	47	20
Typhoon							x	x	x	x

People

Vietnam has a population of 79 million, 85% of which are ethnic Vietnamese. The others are ethnic Chinese, Khmer, Chams or members of more than 54 groups such as the Tay, the White Thai, the Black Thai, the H'Mong etc. These groups display similar rural and agricultural lifestyles, but have different languages, dress, cultures, and physical features.

Language

Vietnamese is a tonal language that uses the Roman alphabet together with tone marks. Much of the language is Sino/Vietnames, though influences from French and English are also apparent. Today, English has replaced Russian and French as the most studied language and is widely spoken in major cities.

Religion

Buddhist is the most common religion in Vietnam, with about 60% of the population practicing some forms of Buddhism. About 8% of the population is Catholic. Other religions practiced include Protestantism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Hinduism and Caodaism.

Festivals and Holidays

The most important holiday is the Lunar New Year or TET which usually takes place in February and is celebrated for five days. Visitors should be aware that virtually all business are closed during this period and international and domestic flights are fully booked as overseas Vietnamese return to visit their family and friends. There are also many other festivals that take place at temples and in villages during and after Tet.
Other significant public holidays include April 30 (Liberation Day), May 1 ( International Worker's Day), May 19 (Anniversary of the birth of Ho Chi Minh) and September 2 (National Day). Other popular holidays include New Year's Day (January 1st).

Handicrafts and Souvenirs

Vietnam is particularly known for its various styles of lacquerware (mother of pearl inlay and duck shell) and its growing silk industry. A wide array of other handicrafts is also available, including quality hand embroidery, wood carvings, ceramics, silk paintings, brass and marble figurines and ivory and tortoiseshell accessories. Contemporary paintings and copies of masterpiece work are also widely available in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. War paraphernalia remain popular souvenirs as old cameras, watches, stamps, coins and flick lighters.

IMPORTANT
Please be aware that it is illegal to export any items that might be considered "antique" from Vietnam. The customs officials at both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi airport enforce this policy rigorously and may even interpret reproduction goods or those which would not be considered antique as illegal. Any goods that are considered "antique" will be confiscated. Please also be aware that many vendors will claim that an item for sale is not an antique or it is acceptable to export with a receipt or by other written assurances. DO NOT TRUST THIS INFORMATION. Please exercise caution. Also please be aware that our guides are not experts in antiques and therefore cannot be responsible for any advice or opinions.

ALL INFORMATION ABOVE ARE GIVEN FOR YOUR REFERENCE. THEY ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT PRIOR NOTICE.

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