The splendid natural diversities and mixed cultures are positioned at the eastern edge of South –East Asia, with a long tropical mountain arena and approximately 1400 species of Wildlife in Vietnam. The place where people are engrossed in all-day long work, and the crime rate is low, people over there totally warmly and positively greet with a smile.
But what about the History, culture, and people of the country? Let’s find out —–When we plan to visit we want to know foremost about its geography right, so here it is—–
GEOGRAPHY OF VIETNAM
Like a dragon resting on the shore of the ocean, Vietnam spreads its territory approximately 331,210 square Km in total. Surrounded by the South China Sea, the Gulf of Tonkin, Laos, and Cambodia. The northern part of the country is hilly and mountainous wrapped with tropical ranges of dense forest and the lower plateau part of the northern side has civilization, as the arena is covered by the Red River Delta and coastal plains. The parts of coastal plains are intensively covered with agriculture, entirely showered with rice fields.
And the areas near the coastal region are slightly rainy season as they become flood-prone regions. The southern part, of Vietnam, is slightly soggy where the Mekong River flows. The climate is largely tropical moon throughout the year. The population of Vietnam is approximately 9.82 crores as per the census 2021. The main cities of Vietnam are Hanoi, Haiphong, Hue, and Ho Chi Minh Chi, officially known as Saigon.
HISTORY OF VIETNAM
Being in a South-East Asian country, Vietnam has a vibrant rock-hard history. The first dynasty to be formed according to the legend was the Hong Bang dynasty ruled by Hung Kings. The county was part of the Chinese empire for approximately 1000 years. During 938 AD, Ngo Quyen announced war against the Chinese empire and gained independence for the country. In the year 1858, the French invaded Vietnam, and in 1893; the French embodied Vietnam into French Indo-China. 1954 French were defeated by the communist arm of Hochi Minh. After that, the country, split into two parts Communist North Vietnam and the anti-Communist South.
CULTURE OF VIETNAM
The culture of Vietnam is the brew of cultures of China, France and neighbouring spot Cambodia. As the country rules China, the culture of the country has similarities with China. The existence of the Latin alphabet is the influence of France’s Colonial rule. The people there are more engaged in daily fitness activities and the restaurants also open early and breakfast is mostly starting with soup and boiled foods. Traditional clothes and styling in Vietnam have gone through many changes due to the different rules of dynasties. The Ao Dai remained there throughout the ages. History says earlier it was worn by both men and women but today it is particularly seen as women’s attire. Normally, people, these days prefer western attire.
ART FORM OF VIETNAM
The literature of Vietnam has been divided into two different forms, either written or folk. The folk one contains legendary stories, mythological recital, fairy tales, moral yarns, folk songs, and poems, which speaks about the part and parcel of Vietnam. The best place to visit for getting entirely familiar is The Imperial Academy and the Vietnam Literature Museum in Hanoi.
- Silk painting: Vietnam is famous for white silk paintings like China. Vietnamese portray their daily life.
- Calligraphy: Ancient times had the rule for Calligraphy restricted to the elite. But it is said that the integral part of Vietnam has three scripts, Chinese, Chu nom and Quoc Ngu. The art form is used especially for the Lunar New Year.
- Woodcut painting: Dong Ho woodblock paintings of Vietnam are done by making entangled marks on wood by using organic colour and paper and this style of painting has gained fame worldwide. Specifically done during Lunar New Year, spreading positive vibes.
- Dance: The lion dance is famous in Vietnam, the people here see the form of dance as traditional and performed on roads to vanish the evil spirit, it includes the Lantern dance, Fan, Lotus and Ribbon dance also.
- Puppet show: The famous watery puppetry of Vietnam, or Mua Roi, is a form recognised by UNESCO’s cultural heritage including vibrant coloured wooden Dolls floating in water tucked with long poles under the water stage shows the tradition of its own town. You can then show at the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theatre, Ho Chi Minh City
CUISINES OF VIETNAM
- Pho – The Famous Noodle Soup of Vietnam Particularly pronounced as “FU”, is the yummy delicious soup of Vietnam, healthy yet tasty that makes you fall in love with that. The soup has options, if you are vegetarian you will get delicious tofu, smoky red chillies bean sprouts, holy basil, a tablespoon of Lime, and cilantro. And if you are non-vegetarian, then a bowl of noodle soup with chicken broth or light beef broth, flavoured with spring onions, ginger and coriander.
- Goi Cuon (Spring Rolls) – Spring rolls are not fried in Vietnam, The locals of the place call the spring rolls, as they are translucent and wrapped with green coriander, minced pork( or meat of choice ) or shrimp. The interesting fact is the spring roll differs in the northern and southern parts of Vietnam, in the northern part is called “Nem Cuon”. In the southern part of springs, rolls are made with barbequed strips of pork rolled with green banana and star fruit dipped with peanut sauce.
- Banh mi (Vietnamese/Saigon sandwich) – Banh mi sandwich is a street food most popular in Vietnam, Banh mi entered Vietnam during the French colonies during the 19th century.
- Mực Chiên – This a dish which differs from restaurant to restaurant, in some places, you will get the whole squid with sauce and chillies served on one plate, and in some restaurants serves to make pieces in loops frying.
- Bun Cha (Vietnamese Meatballs) – Most popular grilled food of Vietnam, which you will find generally in the street stall to elite dining you will get Bun Cha everywhere, meatballs are basically balls of pork or meat of your choice
PEOPLE, LANGUAGE AND RELIGION
It is obvious that the country Vietnam will have Vietnamese as the official language but there are approximately 100 dialects and languages and two foreign languages, French and English are also widely spoken with ownership. Vietnam has the youngest population in the world. The Viet consist of almost 85% population, the well-known tribes are Khmer, Han Chinese, Thai, Chinese Nung, and Hmong.
According to the government of Vietnam, there are more than 54 ethnic groups. It’s a myth that Vietnamese are total Buddhists. The omnipresent religions are Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Catholicism and Cao Dai. Cao Dai is the newest religion formed in the 20th century. Vietnamese are fond of sports, the famous sports includes soccers, table tennis, volleyball, and martial arts.
NATURE AND WILDLIFE
Vietnam is said to be the home of 16 % of species according to biological diversity. Approximately there are 10% of endangered species present in that country, 310 mammals, 840 birds, 280 reptiles, 120 amphibians, and 7,750 types of insects. There are mangrove swamps and a gush of dense forest in the mountainous alps in that country.
ECONOMIC GROWTH OF VIETNAM
The Growth Domestic Product (GDP) of Vietnam expanded approximately by 5.92%, in 2022. Lots of international companies like Toshiba, Intel, and Panasonic have branches in Vietnam. In 2016, Vietnam was the second largest coffee exporter where coffee is not Vietnam’s indigenous product but brought by French colonial. Also, it is the largest exporter of Dragon Fruit, also the lead exporter of Cashew nut and black pepper. It is more of an agrarian society. Vietnam is the 3rd largest oil producer in South East Asia.
TOURISM OF VIETNAM
Halong Bay
Say hi, to the sparkling sea view at Halong Bay, recognised by UNESCO World Heritage site, tons of limestone stiff as an island at the Bay of Gulf of Tonkin, the most popular place to enjoy the cruise. The place hides lots of glorious caves, one of the popular mammoth Caverns, the Hang Sung Sot, and the Hang Dao Go.
Ho Chi Minh City
You can’t say goodbye without visiting Ho Chi Minh City, the city has the HCMC museum, Dong Khoi, a place from where you can enjoy the city lights of the place, old French architecture, Jade Emperor Pagoda, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street.
Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park
Do you love caving then the place is you! The Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park recognised by World-Heritage majestic Karst alps formed by honeycombed with a large cavern, it’s truly a wet cave, and the awestruck attractions are 31 km under the ground, and home of stalactite and stalagmite array.
Nha Trang is the ultimate spot for sandy fun in Vietnam, the 6 km long clean sea shore, best time to visit the place is during summer but if you want to have fun then book early as the area is jammed with people, to avoid the crowd, you can do a quick check of flight and hotel deals at Trippybug.com.
Cat Ba Island
At the southern edge of Halong Bay, is Cat Ba Island, it’s the adventure destination of Vietnam, Cruises to Kayaking, climbing hiking and a walk to the dense forest of Cat Ba, altogether available for visitors.
CELEBRATION DAYS OF VIETNAM
Vietnam celebrates the holidays with specific decorations, activities include making tofu together, lighting lanterns, decorating fans, and lion dances but let’s check the days for celebration:
1. New Year weeks
2. Hung kings Festival
3. Lunar New Year
4. Labour Day
5. Tet
6. Independence of Vietnam.
In short, this is a brief about the people, history and culture of Vietnam, with natural beauties and people wearing round hats, earlier it was used for protection from snakes, sun and coconut but the tradition remained and it’s now used more by the farmers.
