Vietnam is located in Southeast Asia. Its capital is Hanoi and largest city is Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam has a population of over 87 million people comprised of the Vietnamese majority and 54 ethnic minority groups. Vietnam has a long history of Chinese influence and was formerly a French colony until gaining independence in 1975 after the Vietnam War. The country has a diverse geography ranging from high mountains in the north to plains in the south along with a long coastline. Buddhism is the dominant religion.