Location Facts

Vietnam is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea to the east.

It was under Chinese control for a thousand years before becoming a nation-state in the 10th century. After the communist victory of the Vietnam War in 1975, the country became politically isolated. Over the years, however, it has regained diplomatic relations with most nations, including the United States.

• The most popular modes of transportation in Vietnam are bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles.
• Vietnam has a population of over 86 million.
• Vietnam is larger in size than Italy and almost the size of Germany.
• It was colonized by the French in the mid-19th century, adding a fascinating blend of East and West to its culture.