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'''Time Zone:''' Seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
'''Time Zone:''' Seven hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time.
== SOCIETY ==
== SOCIETY ==
'''Population:''' In 2004 Vietnam’s population was 82.2 million, and it was growing at a rate of
Population: In 2004 Vietnam’s population was 82.2 million, and it was growing at a rate of
about 1.2 percent per year. The average population density was 246 people per square kilometer,
about 1.2 percent per year. The average population density was 246 people per square kilometer,
one of the highest levels in the world. The highest concentration of people was in the Red River
one of the highest levels in the world. The highest concentration of people was in the Red River
Delta, in the northeast where Hanoi is located, and the lowest concentration was in the northwest.
Delta, in the northeast where Hanoi is located, and the lowest concentration was in the northwest.
The population, which traditionally has been primarily rural, has become increasingly urbanized
The population, which traditionally has been primarily rural, has become increasingly urbanized
Vietnam’s Central Highlands seeking asylum in Cambodia.
Vietnam’s Central Highlands seeking asylum in Cambodia.
Demography: In 2004 Vietnam’s age distribution was estimated as follows: 0 to 14 years of age,
'''Demography:''' In 2004 Vietnam’s age distribution was estimated as follows: 0 to 14 years of age, 29.4 percent; 15 to 64, 65 percent; and 65 and older, 5.6 percent. This age distribution signals
29.4 percent; 15 to 64, 65 percent; and 65 and older, 5.6 percent. This age distribution signals
slower population growth than in the past. According to 2005 estimates, Vietnam’s birthrate was
slower population growth than in the past. According to 2005 estimates, Vietnam’s birthrate was
17.07 births per 1,000 people, and the fertility rate was 1.94 children born per woman. The infant
17.07 births per 1,000 people, and the fertility rate was 1.94 children born per woman. The infant
of 67.82 years for men and 73.6 years for women.
of 67.82 years for men and 73.6 years for women.
Ethnic Groups: Vietnamese are the predominant ethnic group, constituting 85 to 90 percent of
'''Ethnic Groups:''' Vietnamese are the predominant ethnic group, constituting 85 to 90 percent of
the population. Chinese account for 3 percent of the population. Other ethnic groups are the
the population. Chinese account for 3 percent of the population. Other ethnic groups are the
Hmong, Thai, Khmer, Cham, and Montagnards, an indigenous group living in the Central
Hmong, Thai, Khmer, Cham, and Montagnards, an indigenous group living in the Central
Highlands.
Highlands.
Languages: Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. The Vietnamese have adopted a
'''Languages:''' Vietnamese is the official language of Vietnam. The Vietnamese have adopted a
Romanized script introduced by the French during the colonial period. English is increasingly
Romanized script introduced by the French during the colonial period. English is increasingly
accepted as a second language. Some French language influence persists. Other languages used
accepted as a second language. Some French language influence persists. Other languages used
are Chinese, Khmer, and mountain area dialects.
are Chinese, Khmer, and mountain area dialects.
Religion: With 7.6 million followers, Buddhism is the most popular religion. The second most
'''Religion:''' With 7.6 million followers, Buddhism is the most popular religion. The second most
popular religion is Roman Catholicism, with 6 million adherents. Other faiths, with the number
popular religion is Roman Catholicism, with 6 million adherents. Other faiths, with the number
of followers indicated, are Cao Dai (2 million), Hoa Hao (1 million), Protestantism (500,000),
of followers indicated, are Cao Dai (2 million), Hoa Hao (1 million), Protestantism (500,000),
and Islam (50,000).
and Islam (50,000).
Education and Literacy: In 2003 Vietnam’s literacy rate was 94 percent, including 95.8 percent
'''Education and Literacy:''' In 2003 Vietnam’s literacy rate was 94 percent, including 95.8 percent for men and 92.3 percent for women. However, educational attainment is less impressive.
for men and 92.3 percent for women. However, educational attainment is less impressive.
Although five years of primary school education are considered compulsory and 92 percent of
Although five years of primary school education are considered compulsory and 92 percent of
eligible children were enrolled in primary school in 2000, only two-thirds completed the fifth
eligible children were enrolled in primary school in 2000, only two-thirds completed the fifth
primary school. One of the government’s goals is to expand access to secondary education.
primary school. One of the government’s goals is to expand access to secondary education.
'''Health:''' The overall quality of healthcare is regarded as good, as reflected by 2005 estimates of life expectancy (70.61 years) and infant mortality (25.95 per 1,000 live births). However,
Health: The overall quality of healthcare is regarded as good, as reflected by 2005 estimates of
life expectancy (70.61 years) and infant mortality (25.95 per 1,000 live births). However,
malnutrition is still common in the provinces, and the life expectancy and infant mortality rates
malnutrition is still common in the provinces, and the life expectancy and infant mortality rates
are stagnating. In 2001 government spending on health care corresponded to just 0.9 percent of
are stagnating. In 2001 government spending on health care corresponded to just 0.9 percent of
gross domestic product (GDP). Government subsidies covered only about 20 percent of health
gross domestic product (GDP). Government subsidies covered only about 20 percent of health
care expenses, with the remaining 80 percent coming out of individuals’ own pockets.
care expenses, with the remaining 80 percent coming out of individuals’ own pockets.
In 1954 the government in the North established a public health system that reached down to the
In 1954 the government in the North established a public health system that reached down to the
beds, or 14.8 beds per 10,000 people, a very low ratio among Asian nations, according to the
beds, or 14.8 beds per 10,000 people, a very low ratio among Asian nations, according to the
World Bank.
World Bank.
Vietnam has made progress in combating malaria, for which the mortality rate declined sharply,
Vietnam has made progress in combating malaria, for which the mortality rate declined sharply,
in May 2004. With an intensified vaccination program, better hygiene, and foreign assistance,
in May 2004. With an intensified vaccination program, better hygiene, and foreign assistance,
Vietnam hopes to reduce sharply the number of TB cases and annual new TB infections.
Vietnam hopes to reduce sharply the number of TB cases and annual new TB infections.
As of September 2005, Vietnam had diagnosed 101,291 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
As of September 2005, Vietnam had diagnosed 101,291 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
be one of 15 nations to receive funding as part of a US$15 billion global AIDS plan.
be one of 15 nations to receive funding as part of a US$15 billion global AIDS plan.
Welfare: Vietnam’s welfare efforts target victims of the Second Indochina War (1954–75), such
'''Welfare:''' Vietnam’s welfare efforts target victims of the Second Indochina War (1954–75), such
as individuals disabled in combat or by toxic chemicals and the families of fallen combatants.
as individuals disabled in combat or by toxic chemicals and the families of fallen combatants.
About 5 million Vietnamese, corresponding to more than 6 percent of the population, are
About 5 million Vietnamese, corresponding to more than 6 percent of the population, are
sickness and maternity; and work injury. Coverage is reported to be mandatory for state
sickness and maternity; and work injury. Coverage is reported to be mandatory for state
employees, non-state enterprises with more than 10 employees, and foreign-invested enterprises.
employees, non-state enterprises with more than 10 employees, and foreign-invested enterprises.
Special programs are said to exist for government civil servants and armed forces personnel.
Special programs are said to exist for government civil servants and armed forces personnel.
== ECONOMY ==
== ECONOMY ==