Changes

Vietnam's approximately 2.3 million ethnic Chinese, concentrated mostly in southern Vietnam, constitute Vietnam's largest minority group. Long important in the Vietnamese economy, Vietnamese of Chinese ancestry have been active in rice trading, milling, real estate, and banking in the south and shop keeping, stevedoring, and mining in the north. Restrictions on economic activity following reunification of the north and south in 1975 and the subsequent but unrelated general deterioration in Vietnamese-Chinese relations sent chills through the Chinese-Vietnamese community. In 1978-79, some 450,000 ethnic Chinese left Vietnam by boat as refugees (many officially encouraged and assisted) or were expelled across the land border with China.  

Vietnam's approximately 2.3 million ethnic Chinese, concentrated mostly in southern Vietnam, constitute Vietnam's largest minority group. Long important in the Vietnamese economy, Vietnamese of Chinese ancestry have been active in rice trading, milling, real estate, and banking in the south and shop keeping, stevedoring, and mining in the north. Restrictions on economic activity following reunification of the north and south in 1975 and the subsequent but unrelated general deterioration in Vietnamese-Chinese relations sent chills through the Chinese-Vietnamese community. In 1978-79, some 450,000 ethnic Chinese left Vietnam by boat as refugees (many officially encouraged and assisted) or were expelled across the land border with China.  

The second-largest ethnic minority grouping, the central highland peoples (formerly termed Montagnards or mountain people), comprise two main ethnolinguistic groups--Malayo-Polynesian and Mon-Khmer. About 30 groups of various cultures and dialects are spread over the highland territory.  

The second-largest ethnic minority grouping, the central highland peoples (formerly termed Montagnards or mountain people), comprise two main ethnolinguistic groups—Malayo-Polynesian and Mon-Khmer. About 30 groups of various cultures and dialects are spread over the highland territory.  

[[File:Dance of Vietnam Hanoi.jpg|thumb|left|Dance of Vietnam, Hanoi, 2010.]]

[[File:Dance of Vietnam Hanoi.jpg|thumb|left|Dance of Vietnam, Hanoi, 2010.]]

The third-largest minority, the Khmer Krom (Cambodians), numbering about 600,000, is concentrated near the Cambodian border and at the mouth of the Mekong River. Most are farmers. Other minority groups include the Cham--remnants of the once-mighty Champa Kingdom, conquered by the Vietnamese in the 15th century--Hmong, and Thai.  

The third-largest minority, the Khmer Krom (Cambodians), numbering about 600,000, is concentrated near the Cambodian border and at the mouth of the Mekong River. Most are farmers. Other minority groups include the Cham—remnants of the once-mighty Champa Kingdom, conquered by the Vietnamese in the 15th century—Hmong, and Thai.  

Vietnamese is the official language of the country. It is a tonal language with influences from Thai, Khmer, and Chinese. Since the early 20th century, the Vietnamese have used a Romanized script introduced by the French. Previously, Chinese characters and an indigenous phonetic script were both used.  

Vietnamese is the official language of the country. It is a tonal language with influences from Thai, Khmer, and Chinese. Since the early 20th century, the Vietnamese have used a Romanized script introduced by the French. Previously, Chinese characters and an indigenous phonetic script were both used.  

*Religions: [[Buddhism]], Hoa Hao, [[Cao Dai]], Christian (predominantly [[Roman Catholic]], some Protestant), [[animism]], [[Islam]].

*Religions: [[Buddhism]], Hoa Hao, [[Cao Dai]], Christian (predominantly [[Roman Catholic]], some Protestant), [[animism]], [[Islam]].

*Languages: Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer, mountain area languages.

*Languages: Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer, mountain area languages.

*Education (2004): Literacy--90.3%.

*Education (2004): Literacy—90.3%.

*Health (2007 estimate): Birth rate—16.63 births/1000 population. Infant mortality rate--17.4 /1000. Life expectancy--70.8 yrs. Death rate--6.56/1,000.

*Health (2007 estimate): Birth rate—16.63 births/1000 population. Infant mortality rate—17.4 /1000. Life expectancy—70.8 yrs. Death rate—6.56/1,000.

===Religion===

===Religion===

''See also: [[Religion and Atheism in Vietnam]]''

{{See also|Religion and Atheism in Vietnam}}

Officially, Vietnam is an [[Atheism|atheist]] state.<ref>Jan Dodd, Mark Lewis, Ron Emmons. The Rough Guide to Vietnam, Vol. 4, 2003. p. 509: "After 1975, the Marxist-Leninist government of reunified Vietnam declared the state atheist while theoretically allowing people the right to practice their religion under the constitution."</ref> More than half of the population is at least nominally [[Buddhist]] (the "Light of Asia" spread very early in the country; from the beginning of the second century of the Christian era) <ref>[http://www.phatviet.com/pgvn/Buddhisminvietnam.htm Buddhism and Vietnam]</ref>. The Roman Catholic Church comprises 8 to 10%, several Cao Dai organizations comprise 1.5 to 3%, the primary Hoa Hao organization 1.5 to 4%, Protestant denominations 0.5 to 2%, and one Muslim organization less than 0.1% of the population. Most other citizens consider themselves nonreligious, although many practice traditional beliefs such as veneration of ancestors and national heroes.<ref> See [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108430.htm U.S. State Department "International Religious Freedom Report 2008"]</ref>

Officially, Vietnam is an [[Atheism|atheist]] state.<ref>Jan Dodd, Mark Lewis, Ron Emmons. The Rough Guide to Vietnam, Vol. 4, 2003. p. 509: "After 1975, the Marxist-Leninist government of reunified Vietnam declared the state atheist while theoretically allowing people the right to practice their religion under the constitution."</ref> More than half of the population is at least nominally [[Buddhist]] (the "Light of Asia" spread very early in the country; from the beginning of the second century of the Christian era).<ref>[http://www.phatviet.com/pgvn/Buddhisminvietnam.htm Buddhism and Vietnam]</ref> The Roman Catholic Church comprises 8 to 10%, several Cao Dai organizations comprise 1.5 to 3%, the primary Hoa Hao organization 1.5 to 4%, Protestant denominations 0.5 to 2%, and one Muslim organization less than 0.1% of the population. Most other citizens consider themselves nonreligious, although many practice traditional beliefs such as veneration of ancestors and national heroes.<ref>See [http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2008/108430.htm U.S. State Department "International Religious Freedom Report 2008"]</ref>

[[File:Buddhism in Vietnam.jpg|left]]

[[File:Buddhism in Vietnam.jpg|left]]

Many Buddhists practice an amalgam of Mahayana Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism that is sometimes called the "triple religion." The CRA cited an estimate of 10 million (12% of the population) practicing Mahayana Buddhists, most of whom are members of the ethnic Kinh majority and found throughout the country, especially in the populous areas of the northern and southern delta regions. There are proportionately fewer Buddhists in certain highland areas, although migration of Kinh to these areas is changing this distribution. A Khmer ethnic minority in southern Vietnam practices Theravada Buddhism. Numbering more than 1 million, they live almost exclusively in the Mekong Delta. In 1981 the officially sanctioned Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) was established. The Government does not recognize the legitimacy of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV).

Many Buddhists practice an amalgam of Mahayana Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism that is sometimes called the "triple religion." The CRA cited an estimate of 10 million (12% of the population) practicing Mahayana Buddhists, most of whom are members of the ethnic Kinh majority and found throughout the country, especially in the populous areas of the northern and southern delta regions. There are proportionately fewer Buddhists in certain highland areas, although migration of Kinh to these areas is changing this distribution. A Khmer ethnic minority in southern Vietnam practices Theravada Buddhism. Numbering more than 1 million, they live almost exclusively in the Mekong Delta. In 1981 the officially sanctioned Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) was established. The Government does not recognize the legitimacy of the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV).

A new state constitution was approved in April 1992, reaffirming the central role of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) in politics and society, and outlining government reorganization and increased economic freedom. Though Vietnam remains a one-party state, adherence to ideological orthodoxy has become less important than economic development as a national priority.  

A new state constitution was approved in April 1992, reaffirming the central role of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) in politics and society, and outlining government reorganization and increased economic freedom. Though Vietnam remains a one-party state, adherence to ideological orthodoxy has become less important than economic development as a national priority.  

The most important powers within the Vietnamese Government--in addition to the Communist Party--are the executive agencies created by the 1992 constitution: the offices of the president and the prime minister. The Vietnamese President, presently Nguyen Minh Triet, functions as head of state but also serves as the nominal commander of the armed forces and chairman of the Council on National Defense and Security. The Prime Minister of Vietnam, presently Nguyen Tan Dung, heads a cabinet currently composed of three deputy prime ministers and the heads of 26 ministries and commissions, all confirmed by the National Assembly.  

The most important powers within the Vietnamese Government—in addition to the Communist Party—are the executive agencies created by the 1992 constitution: the offices of the president and the prime minister. The Vietnamese President, presently Nguyen Minh Triet, functions as head of state but also serves as the nominal commander of the armed forces and chairman of the Council on National Defense and Security. The Prime Minister of Vietnam, presently Nguyen Tan Dung, heads a cabinet currently composed of three deputy prime ministers and the heads of 26 ministries and commissions, all confirmed by the National Assembly.  

Notwithstanding the 1992 constitution's reaffirmation of the central role of the Communist Party, the National Assembly, according to the constitution, is the highest representative body of the people and the only organization with legislative powers. It has a broad mandate to oversee all government functions. Once seen as little more than a rubber stamp, the National Assembly has become more vocal and assertive in exercising its authority over lawmaking, particularly in recent years. However, the National Assembly is still subject to party direction. More than 80% of the deputies in the National Assembly are party members. The assembly meets twice yearly for 7-10 weeks each time; elections for members are held every 5 years, although its Standing Committee meets monthly and there are now over 100 "full-time" deputies who function on various committees. There is a separate judicial branch, but it is still relatively weak. Overall, there are few lawyers and trial procedures are rudimentary.  

Notwithstanding the 1992 constitution's reaffirmation of the central role of the Communist Party, the National Assembly, according to the constitution, is the highest representative body of the people and the only organization with legislative powers. It has a broad mandate to oversee all government functions. Once seen as little more than a rubber stamp, the National Assembly has become more vocal and assertive in exercising its authority over lawmaking, particularly in recent years. However, the National Assembly is still subject to party direction. More than 80% of the deputies in the National Assembly are party members. The assembly meets twice yearly for 7–10 weeks each time; elections for members are held every 5 years, although its Standing Committee meets monthly and there are now over 100 "full-time" deputies who function on various committees. There is a separate judicial branch, but it is still relatively weak. Overall, there are few lawyers and trial procedures are rudimentary.  

The present 14-member Politburo, elected in April 2006 and headed by Communist Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, determines government policy, and its Secretariat oversees day-to-day policy implementation. In addition, the Party's Central Military Commission, which is composed of select Politburo members and additional military leaders, determines military policy.  

The present 14-member Politburo, elected in April 2006 and headed by Communist Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, determines government policy, and its Secretariat oversees day-to-day policy implementation. In addition, the Party's Central Military Commission, which is composed of select Politburo members and additional military leaders, determines military policy.  

===Principal Government Officials===  

===Principal Government Officials===  

[[File:Nguyen Tan Dung 2009.JPG|thumb|Nguyen Tan Dung, 2009.]]

[[File:Nguyen Tan Dung 2009.JPG|thumb|Nguyen Tan Dung, 2009.]]

*President--Truong Tan Sang

*President—Truong Tan Sang

*Prime Minister--Nguyen Tan Dung

*Prime Minister—Nguyen Tan Dung

*National Assembly Chairman--Nguyen Phu Trong

*National Assembly Chairman—Nguyen Phu Trong

*Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs--Pham Gia Khiem

*Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs—Pham Gia Khiem

*Ambassador to the United States--Nguyen Tam Chien

*Ambassador to the United States—Nguyen Tam Chien

*Ambassador to the United Nations--Le Luong Minh  

*Ambassador to the United Nations—Le Luong Minh  

====Politburo====

====Politburo====

Tenth Party Congress Politburo, named April 25, 2006; listed in the order it was announced, including the individuals’ current positions:

Tenth Party Congress Politburo, named April 25, 2006; listed in the order it was announced, including the individuals’ current positions:

*General Secretary of CPV Central Committee, 10th Party Congress--Nong Duc Manh

*General Secretary of CPV Central Committee, 10th Party Congress—Nong Duc Manh

*Minister of Public Security--Le Hong Anh

*Minister of Public Security—Le Hong Anh

*Prime Minister--Nguyen Tan Dzung

*Prime Minister—Nguyen Tan Dzung

*State President--Nguyen Minh Triet

*State President—Nguyen Minh Triet

*Standing Secretariat Member--Truong Tan Sang

*Standing Secretariat Member—Truong Tan Sang

*National Assembly Chairman--Nguyen Phu Trong

*National Assembly Chairman—Nguyen Phu Trong

*Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs--Pham Gia Khiem

*Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs—Pham Gia Khiem

*Minister of Defense, General Chief of Staff--Phung Quang Thanh

*Minister of Defense, General Chief of Staff—Phung Quang Thanh

*Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman, Party Internal Affairs Commission--Truong Vinh Trong

*Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman, Party Internal Affairs Commission—Truong Vinh Trong

*Secretary of HCMC Party's Committee--Le Thanh Hai

*Secretary of HCMC Party's Committee—Le Thanh Hai

*Standing Deputy Prime Minister--Nguyen Sinh Hung

*Standing Deputy Prime Minister—Nguyen Sinh Hung

*Secretary of Hanoi Party's Committee--Pham Quang Nghi

*Secretary of Hanoi Party's Committee—Pham Quang Nghi

*Chairman, Party Organization and Personnel Commission--Ho Duc Viet

*Chairman, Party Organization and Personnel Commission—Ho Duc Viet

*Chairman, Party Control Commission--Nguyen Van Chi

*Chairman, Party Control Commission—Nguyen Van Chi

===Foreign Relations===

===Foreign Relations===

During the second Indochina war (1954-75), North Vietnam balanced relations with its two major allies, the Soviet Union and China. By 1975, tension began to grow as Beijing increasingly viewed Vietnam as a potential Soviet instrument to encircle China. Meanwhile, Beijing's increasing support for Cambodia's Khmer Rouge sparked Vietnamese suspicions of China's motives.  

During the second Indochina war (1954–75), North Vietnam balanced relations with its two major allies, the Soviet Union and China. By 1975, tension began to grow as Beijing increasingly viewed Vietnam as a potential Soviet instrument to encircle China. Meanwhile, Beijing's increasing support for Cambodia's Khmer Rouge sparked Vietnamese suspicions of China's motives.  

Vietnamese-Chinese relations deteriorated significantly after Hanoi instituted a ban in March 1978 on private trade, mostly affecting Sino-Vietnamese. Following Vietnam's December 1978 invasion of Cambodia, China launched a retaliatory incursion over Vietnam's northern border. Faced with severance of Chinese aid and strained international relations, Vietnam established even closer ties with the Soviet Union and its allies in the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (Comecon). Through the 1980s, Vietnam received nearly $3 billion a year in economic and military aid from the Soviet Union and conducted most of its trade with that country and with other Council for Mutual Economic Assistance countries. However, Soviet and East bloc economic aid ceased after the breakup of the Soviet Union.  

Vietnamese-Chinese relations deteriorated significantly after Hanoi instituted a ban in March 1978 on private trade, mostly affecting Sino-Vietnamese. Following Vietnam's December 1978 invasion of Cambodia, China launched a retaliatory incursion over Vietnam's northern border. Faced with severance of Chinese aid and strained international relations, Vietnam established even closer ties with the Soviet Union and its allies in the Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (Comecon). Through the 1980s, Vietnam received nearly $3 billion a year in economic and military aid from the Soviet Union and conducted most of its trade with that country and with other Council for Mutual Economic Assistance countries. However, Soviet and East bloc economic aid ceased after the breakup of the Soviet Union.  

*External debt (2005): 32.5% of GDP, $17.2 billion.

*External debt (2005): 32.5% of GDP, $17.2 billion.

*Natural resources: Coal, crude oil, zinc, copper, silver, gold, manganese, iron.  

*Natural resources: Coal, crude oil, zinc, copper, silver, gold, manganese, iron.  

*Agriculture and forestry (20.4% of GDP, 2006): Principal products--rice, maize, sweet potato, peanut, soya bean, cotton, coffee, cashews. Cultivated land--12.2 million hectares. Land use--21% arable; 28% forest and woodland; 51% other.

*Agriculture and forestry (20.4% of GDP, 2006): Principal products—rice, maize, sweet potato, peanut, soya bean, cotton, coffee, cashews. Cultivated land—12.2 million hectares. Land use—21% arable; 28% forest and woodland; 51% other.

*Industry and construction (41.5% of GDP, 2006): Principal types--mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity, gas, water supply, cement, phosphate, and steel.

*Industry and construction (41.5% of GDP, 2006): Principal types—mining and quarrying, manufacturing, electricity, gas, water supply, cement, phosphate, and steel.

*Services (38.1% of GDP, 2006): Principal types--wholesale and retail, repair of vehicles and personal goods, hotel and restaurant, transport storage, telecommunications, tourism.

*Services (38.1% of GDP, 2006): Principal types—wholesale and retail, repair of vehicles and personal goods, hotel and restaurant, transport storage, telecommunications, tourism.

*Trade (2006): Exports--$39.6 billion. Principal exports--garments/textiles, crude oil, footwear, rice (second-largest exporter in world), sea products, coffee, rubber, handicrafts. Major export partners--U.S., EU, Japan, China, Singapore, Australia, Taiwan, and Germany. Imports--$44.4 billion. Principal imports--machinery, oil and gas, garment materials, iron and steel, transport-related equipment. Major import partners--China, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand. Exports to U.S. (2006)--$8.6 billion. Imports from U.S. (2006) $1.1 billion.  

*Trade (2006): Exports--$39.6 billion. Principal exports—garments/textiles, crude oil, footwear, rice (second-largest exporter in world), sea products, coffee, rubber, handicrafts. Major export partners—U.S., EU, Japan, China, Singapore, Australia, Taiwan, and Germany. Imports--$44.4 billion. Principal imports—machinery, oil and gas, garment materials, iron and steel, transport-related equipment. Major import partners—China, Japan, Singapore, Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Thailand. Exports to U.S. (2006)--$8.6 billion. Imports from U.S. (2006) $1.1 billion.  

Foreign trade and foreign direct investment have improved significantly. The shift away from a centrally planned economy to a more market-oriented economic model improved the quality of life for many Vietnamese. Per capita income, $220 in 1994, rose to $726 in 2006 with a related reduction in the share of the population living in acute poverty. However, regional differences in average income are wide: $726 for the whole country on average but about $1,800 in Ho Chi Minh City and much lower than average in poorer provinces of the central and northern highlands.  

Foreign trade and foreign direct investment have improved significantly. The shift away from a centrally planned economy to a more market-oriented economic model improved the quality of life for many Vietnamese. Per capita income, $220 in 1994, rose to $726 in 2006 with a related reduction in the share of the population living in acute poverty. However, regional differences in average income are wide: $726 for the whole country on average but about $1,800 in Ho Chi Minh City and much lower than average in poorer provinces of the central and northern highlands.  

The 1954 Geneva agreement provided for a cease-fire between communist and anti-communist nationalist forces, the temporary division of Vietnam at approximately the 17th parallel, provisional northern (communist) and southern (noncommunist) zone governments, and the evacuation of anti-communist Vietnamese from northern to southern Vietnam. The agreement also called for an election to be held by July 1956 to bring the two provisional zones under a unified government. However, the South Vietnamese Government refused to accept this provision. On October 26, 1955, South Vietnam declared itself the [[Republic of Vietnam]].  

The 1954 Geneva agreement provided for a cease-fire between communist and anti-communist nationalist forces, the temporary division of Vietnam at approximately the 17th parallel, provisional northern (communist) and southern (noncommunist) zone governments, and the evacuation of anti-communist Vietnamese from northern to southern Vietnam. The agreement also called for an election to be held by July 1956 to bring the two provisional zones under a unified government. However, the South Vietnamese Government refused to accept this provision. On October 26, 1955, South Vietnam declared itself the [[Republic of Vietnam]].  

After 1954, North Vietnamese communist leaders consolidated their power and instituted a harsh [[agrarian reform]] and [[socialization]] program. In the late 1950s, they reactivated the network of communist guerrillas that had remained behind in the south. These forces--commonly known as the [[Viet Cong]]--aided covertly by the north, started an armed campaign against officials and villagers who refused to support the communist [[reunification]] cause.

After 1954, North Vietnamese communist leaders consolidated their power and instituted a harsh [[agrarian reform]] and [[socialization]] program. In the late 1950s, they reactivated the network of communist guerrillas that had remained behind in the south. These forces—commonly known as the [[Viet Cong]]—aided covertly by the north, started an armed campaign against officials and villagers who refused to support the communist [[reunification]] cause.

====American Assistance to the South====  

====American Assistance to the South====  

Main source:

Main source:

{{Template:Copyright Details (US Government)}}

{{Copyright Details (US Government)}}

Source = [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4130.htm]

Source = [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4130.htm]

[[Category:Police State]]

[[Category:Police State]]

[[Category:Buddhism]]

[[Category:Buddhism]]

[[category:Asia]]

[[Category:Asia]]

[[Category:Southeast Asia]]

[[Category:Southeast Asia]]

[[Category:Communism]]

[[Category:Communism]]