This document provides an overview of Vietnam, including its geography, climate, cities, food, dress, language, holidays, economy, sports, music, dance, history, and famous people. Vietnam is a Southeast Asian country with a tropical climate in the south and monsoonal climate in the north. The major cities are Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The Vietnamese diet centers around rice, noodles, seafood, and vegetables. Traditional dress includes the conical leaf hat and the white ao dai uniform worn by schoolgirls. Vietnamese is a tonal language with words having different meanings based on tone. The economy has improved since joining the WTO in 1997 after suffering during years of war.

1. VietnamBy Desiree SticeRPDP 515E Fall 2009

2. GeographyVietnam is a coastal country in Southeast Asia.

3. Much of the population resides in Ho Chi Minh City and the capital city of Hanoi.

4. Climate is tropical in the south and monsoonal in the north.

5. Mountains in the north, highlands in the central area, and low, flat deltas in the south and northern areas.HanoiHo Chi Minh City

6. FoodSoy sauce, fish sauce, noodles and rice are staples of the Vietnamese diet.Vegetables, seafood, and pork are common in Vietnamese cuisine.

7. DressTypical clothing for both sexes consists of slacks and a casual knit or cotton shirt. The nónlá(conical leaf hat) is frequently used for protection from the sun.The áodàiis an example of traditional Vietnamese clothing that is still worn today. A white áodài is a common uniform for school girls.

8. LanguageVietnamese is monosyllabic: every syllable is a word.Vietnamese is a tonal language. A word can have up to six meanings, depending on in which tone it is said.Some common words in Vietnamese:Hello Xinchào (seen TSAU) Good-bye Tam biêt (TOM BEE-yet) Please Xin (seen) Thank you Cámón (come ON) Yes Vâng (vong) No Không (kong)

9. Holidays & TraditionsThere are 11 major lunar holidays (tet) in Vietnam. The most important holiday is the Lunar New Year (Tet Nguyen Dan). Everyone celebrates their birthday on this day.April 30th is Liberation Day, which commemorates the 1975 defeat of South Vietnam. September 2nd is National Day, the day Ho Chi Minh declared independence.

10. EconomyMany Vietnamese farm rice for a living.Main exports include rice, seafood, shoes & clothing, crude oil, & coffee.The Vietnamese economy suffered as a result of years of war and the fall of the Soviet Union. Since 2001 Vietnam’s economic situation has improved, particularly after joining the WTO in 1997.Vietnamese dong

11. Games, Music, & DanceSoccer, volleyball, badminton, tennis & table tennis are popular sports. Martial arts such as tai kwon do, wushu, and tai chi are often seen as well.Traditional music includes Ca Tru, CaiLuong, and Hat Van.Traditional dances include the fan dance and the hat dance. (Click images below to view.)