Country

Vietnam

Also Known As Socialist Republic of Vietnam

South-eastern Asia

Vietnam is a long, S-shaped country on the eastern coast of mainland Southeast Asia, stretching from the mountainous Chinese border in the north to the Mekong Delta in the south, with a coastline facing the South China Sea for nearly its entire length. Colonized by France in the nineteenth century as part of French Indochina, it was proclaimed independent by Ho Chi Minh's Viet Minh coalition after the Japanese surrender in 1945, then divided at the 17th parallel through the First Indochina War and reunified as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976 after the Vietnam War. Its capital, Hanoi, sits in the Red River Delta in the north; its largest city, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), anchors the Mekong Delta region in the south.

Facts

Capital

Hanoi 2

Population

103,439,000 2

Britannica 2026 estimate.

Population Estimate Year

2026 2

Area (sq km)

331,338 2

Independence or Founding Year

1945 2

Independence from France was proclaimed in 1945 after the Japanese surrender; the present unified state, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, dates from reunification on 2 July 1976 after the Vietnam War. 1945 is recorded here as the founding proclamation, not the later reunification.

Classification

Sovereignty Status

UN Member State 1

Learn More

Two Independence Days

This article records tradition as it has been passed down and reported. Its sources are not yet part of the atlas's verified catalogue.

Vietnam's own independence-year fact on this atlas carries two dates in one note, and the gap between them is most of the country's twentieth century. Ho Chi Minh proclaimed independence in Hanoi in September 1945, days after Japan's surrender ended its wartime occupation, but the proclamation did not end French colonial claims to Indochina, and the First Indochina War that followed ran until 1954, splitting the country at the 17th parallel into a communist north and an American-backed south. The Vietnam War filled the two decades after that, and only with the fall of Saigon in 1975 and formal reunification on 2 July 1976 did the Socialist Republic of Vietnam become the single state whose capital, population and borders this atlas records today. Reading 1945 alone would miss thirty years of division; reading 1976 alone would miss the proclamation the current state still traces its legitimacy to. Both dates are true, and neither one alone tells the story.

A Country Shaped Like a River System

This article records tradition as it has been passed down and reported. Its sources are not yet part of the atlas's verified catalogue.

Vietnam's long S-curve down the eastern edge of mainland Southeast Asia is really a story about two deltas joined by a narrow spine. The Red River Delta in the north, where Hanoi sits, and the Mekong Delta in the south, where Ho Chi Minh City anchors a vastly larger and flatter plain, are the country's two demographic and agricultural centers, each built by a different river system draining a different set of mountains. Between them runs a long, narrow, mountainous waist where the country is, at its thinnest, barely thirty miles wide, coastline on one side and the Annamite mountain spine dividing Vietnam from Laos on the other. That geography shaped the country's history as much as any war did: a north and a south with genuinely different rivers, soils and growing seasons, connected by a coastal corridor too narrow and too mountainous to unite them easily, which is part of why division along the 17th parallel found such a natural line to follow when it came.

Vietnam

FAQs

How much did Vietnam's population grow between its last two censuses?

Up 12.1 percent, from 85.85 million in 2009 to 96.21 million in 2019.

Vietnam's total population grew by 12.1 percent between the 2009 and 2019 censuses, from 85.85 million to 96.21 million. The 2019 census results were first published as preliminary figures, and the final release showed no difference in the total.

Is Vietnam's urban population growing faster than its total population?

Yes, 30 percent from 2009 to 2019, against 12.1 percent for the whole country.

Yes. Between the 2009 and 2019 censuses Vietnam's urban population grew by 30 percent, from 25.44 million to 33.06 million, while the total population grew by 12.1 percent. That urban growth is why many towns on the outskirts of major cities are listed with higher population figures, for example around Ho Chi Minh City.

Connections

Associated With

Ban Gioc-Detian Falls

China

This source names China directly: "with a coastline facing the South China Sea for nearly its entire length."

Source Encyclopaedia Britannica

Da Nang

Source Da Nang (Wikipedia)

Hanoi

Hanoi is Vietnam's capital.

Source Hanoi (Wikipedia)

Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is a city in Vietnam.

Source Ho Chi Minh City (Wikipedia)

Indochina

Vietnam is one of the seven countries comprising Mainland Southeast Asia (historically Indochina).

Source Indochina (Wikipedia)

Indochinese Peninsula

Mekong Delta

Mekong River Basin

Southeast Asia

Vietnam is one of the mainland states of the Southeast Asia region.

Source Encyclopaedia Britannica

Bordered By Water

Has Capital

Hanoi

Hanoi is Vietnam's capital.

Source Hanoi (Wikipedia)

Long-Form Articles

A Country Shaped Like a River System

Two Independence Days

Rivers Through Territory

Red River (Vietnam)

In the Other Atlases

Same As

Vietnam

Also in Divinity Atlas: the same subject.

Vietnam

Also in Political Atlas: the same subject.

Governed By

Le Minh Hung Government

Also in Political Atlas: which governs this subject.

Source Le Minh Hung (Wikipedia)tier 2

Nationals Include

Đỗ Quang Em

Also in Arts and Music Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Do Quang Em

Nguyen Gia Tri

Also in Arts and Music Atlas: a national of this subject.

Trần Anh Hùng

Also in Film and Media Atlas: a national of this subject.

Bao Ninh

Also in Literature Atlas: a national of this subject.

Dustin Thao

Also in Literature Atlas: a national of this subject.

Nguyễn Du

Also in Literature Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Nguyen Du, Wikipedia

Hải Thượng Lãn Ông

Also in Medicine Atlas: a national of this subject.

Lê Khánh Đồng

Also in Medicine Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Lê Khánh Đồng (Wikipedia)Lead sentence

Quote, Lead sentence

is a Vietnamese medical

Nguyễn Tài Thu

Also in Medicine Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Nguyễn Tài Thu (Wikipedia)Lead sentence

Quote, Lead sentence

was a Vietnamese physician

Ngo Thi Nham

Also in Philosophy Atlas: a national of this subject.

Jane Luu

Also in Science Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Jane Luu (Wikidata)

Ngô Bao Chau

Also in Science Atlas: a national of this subject.

Pham Tuan

Also in Space and Astronomy Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Wikidata: Pham Tuan

J. C. Tran

Also in Sport and Games Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source J. C. Tran (Wikipedia)Lead paragraph

Quote, Lead paragraph

Tran (born Justin Cuong Van Tran January 20, 1977) is a Vietnamese-American professional poker player, based in Sacramento, California.

John Phan

Also in Sport and Games Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source John Phan (Wikipedia)Lead, first sentence [nationality]

Quote, Lead, first sentence [nationality]

Vietnamese-American professional poker player

Kenny Tran

Also in Sport and Games Atlas: a national of this subject.

Source Kenny Tran (Wikipedia)Lead paragraph

Quote, Lead paragraph

Phuong "Kenny" Tran is a Vietnamese American professional poker player from Arcadia, California who won the 2008 World Series of Poker $10,000 Heads-Up No-Limit Hold'em World Championship.

Origin Of

Vietnamese Architecture

Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Nguyen Gia Tri

Also in Arts and Music Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Getty Research Institute: Union List of Artist Names: Nguyen Gia TriBirth and Death Places

Quote, Birth and Death Places

Born: Hà Đông (Hà Nội, Viet Nam) (inhabited place)

Cyclo

Also in Film and Media Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Napalm Girl

Also in Film and Media Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Saigon Execution

Also in Film and Media Atlas: which originated in this subject.

The Burning Monk

Also in Film and Media Atlas: which originated in this subject.

The Terror of War

Also in Film and Media Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Banh Beo

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Bánh chưng

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Bánh đậu xanh

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Banh Mi

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Banh Mi (Wikipedia)tier 2

Bánh phu thê

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Bánh Tét

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Banh Xeo

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Banh xeo, Wikipedia

Bun Cha

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Cassia

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Gernot Katzer's Spice Pages: Cassia, Chinese Cinnamon (Cinnamomum cassia)Origin

Quote, Origin

Southern China, Burma, Laos, Vietnam.

Chả cá Lã Vọng

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Cốm

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Fish Sauce

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source On Food and Cooking: The Science and Lore of the KitchenHarold McGeetier 1

Goi Cuon

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Hủ tiếu

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Kho

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Kodo Millet

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Nuoc Cham

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Perilla Seed

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Pho

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Star Anise

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Vietnamese Cuisine

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Vietnamese noodles

Also in Food and Drink Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Ho Chi Minh

Also in History Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Wikidata: Ho Chi Minh

Trung Trac

Also in History Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Wikidata: Trung Trac

Ca dao

Also in Literature Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Cai Luong

Also in Literature Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Cai luong - Wikipedia

Cheo

Also in Literature Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Cheo, WikipediaLead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article

Quote, Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article

Chèo (Vietnamese: [t͡ɕɛw˨˩], Chữ Nôm: 嘲) is a form of generally satirical musical theatre, often encompassing dance, traditionally performed by Vietnamese peasants in northern Vietnam.

Conspiracy Fiction

Also in Literature Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Conspiracy Fiction (Wikipedia)tier 2

Luc Bat

Also in Literature Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Encyclopaedia Britannicatier 1

The Sorrow of War

Also in Literature Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Wikipedia: The Sorrow of Wartier 2

The Tale of Kieu

Also in Literature Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Truyen Nom

Also in Literature Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source The Tale of Kieu - Wikipedia

Nguyen Binh Khiem

Also in Philosophy Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Thich Nhat Hanh

Also in Philosophy Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Tran Duc Thao

Also in Philosophy Atlas: which originated in this subject.

Source Tran Duc Thao, WikipediaLead sentence 1

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Trần Đức Thảo (26 September 1917 – 24 April 1993) was a Vietnamese philosopher.

Site Of

Independence Palace

Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Independence Palace - Wikipedia

Landmark 81

Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi

Also in Architecture and Design Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi (Wikipedia)Lead sentence 1

Quote, Lead sentence 1

The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is a historic five-star luxury hotel in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.

Sabeco Brewery

Also in Business Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Vietnam Airlines

Also in Business Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Vietnam News Agency

Also in Business Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Vietnam News Agency (Wikipedia)Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article

Quote, Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article

Vietnam News Agency (VNA, Vietnamese: Thông tấn xã Việt Nam) is the official state-run news agency of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Vietnam Railways

Also in Business Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Vietnam Railways - WikipediaLead sentence 1

Quote, Lead sentence 1

Vietnam National Railways (VNR; Vietnamese: Tổng công ty Đường sắt Việt Nam, lit. 'Vietnam Railways Corporation') is the state-owned operator of the railway system in Vietnam.

Z111 Factory

Also in Business Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Wikidata: Z111 Factory

Great Divine Temple (Tay Ninh Holy See)

Also in Divinity Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Thich Quang Duc

Also in Divinity Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Thích Quảng Đức (Wikipedia)Article text

Quote, Article text

In 1934, he moved to southern Vietnam and traveled throughout the provinces spreading Buddhist teachings.

ACMECS

Also in Economics Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Hanoi Stock Exchange

Also in Economics Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange

Also in Economics Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Mekong River Commission

Also in Economics Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Ministry of Finance (Vietnam)

Also in Economics Atlas: which is located in this subject.

State Bank of Vietnam

Also in Economics Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Vietnam National University, Hanoi

Also in Education Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Vietnam National University, Hanoi (Wikipedia)Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia articletier 2

Quote, Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article

Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU; Vietnamese: Đại học Quốc gia Hà Nội, lit. 'Hanoi National University') is a public research university system in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Vietnam National Space Center

Also in Space and Astronomy Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Vietnam Olympic Committee

Also in Sport and Games Atlas: which is located in this subject.

Source Vietnam Olympic Committee (Wikipedia)Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article

Quote, Lead paragraph of the cited Wikipedia article

The Vietnam Olympic Committee (VOC; Vietnamese: Ủy ban Olympic Việt Nam, IOC code: VIE), fully the Olympic Committee of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam (Ủy ban Olympic nước Cộng hòa xã hội chủ nghĩa Việt Nam), is the National Olympic Committee representing Vietnam.