Vietnam, officially known as The Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is the easternmost country of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia.

It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, and Cambodia to the southwest. On the country's east coast lies the South China Sea. The country is listed among the "Next Eleven" economies; according to government figures, GDP growth was 8.17% in 2006, the second fastest growth rate among countries in East Asia and the fastest in Southeast Asia.

Late 2007, the ministry of finance said the GDP growth was estimated to hit a ten-year high record at 8.44% in 2007.

Capital: Hanoi
Major Cities:
North: Hanoi, Hai Phong
Central: Hue, Da Nang, Qui Nhon
South: HO Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Can Tho

CLIMATE

Vietnam is located in both a tropical and temperate zone. It is characterized by a strong monsoon influence, a considerable amount of sunny days, and a high rate of rainfall and humidity.

PEOPLE

Population: 85.2 million (2007 estimate)
Ethnic Groups: Vietnamese (85-90%), Chinese (3%), Hmong, Thai, Khmer, Cham & mountain groups.

GOVERNMENT

Type: Communist Party-dominated constitutional republic