2017 Edition

Background

The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and was completed by 1884. It became part of French Indochina in 1887. Vietnam declared independence after World War II, but France continued to rule until its 1954 defeat by communist forces under Ho Chi MINH. Under the Geneva Accords of 1954, Vietnam was divided into the communist North and anti-communist South. US economic and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, North Vietnamese forces overran the South reuniting the country under communist rule. Despite the return of peace, for over a decade the country experienced little economic growth because of conservative leadership policies, the persecution and mass exodus of individuals - many of them successful South Vietnamese merchants - and growing international isolation. However, since the enactment of Vietnam's "doi moi" (renovation) policy in 1986, Vietnamese authorities have committed to increased economic liberalization and enacted structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries. The communist leaders maintain tight control on political expression but have demonstrated some modest steps toward better protection of human rights. The country continues to experience small-scale protests, the vast majority connected to either land-use issues, calls for increased political space, or the lack of equitable mechanisms for resolving disputes. The small-scale protests in the urban areas are often organized by human rights activists, but many occur in rural areas and involve various ethnic minorities such as the Montagnards of the Central Highlands, Hmong in the Northwest Highlands, and the Khmer Krom in the southern delta region.

Area

331,210 sq km 310,070 sq km 21,140 sq km

land

310,070 sq km

total

331,210 sq km

water

21,140 sq km

Area - comparative

about three times the size of Tennessee; slightly larger than New Mexico

Climate

tropical in south; monsoonal in north with hot, rainy season (May to September) and warm, dry season (October to March)

Coastline

3,444 km (excludes islands)

Elevation

398 m lowest point: South China Sea 0 m highest point: Fan Si Pan 3,144 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: South China Sea 0 m

highest point

Fan Si Pan 3,144 m

mean elevation

398 m

Environment - current issues

logging and slash-and-burn agricultural practices contribute to deforestation and soil degradation; water pollution and overfishing threaten marine life populations; groundwater contamination limits potable water supply; growing urban industrialization and population migration are rapidly degrading environment in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands none of the selected agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

16 10 N, 107 50 E

Geography - note

extending 1,650 km north to south, the country is only 50 km across at its narrowest point

Irrigated land

46,000 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

4,616 km Cambodia 1,158 km, China 1,297 km, Laos 2,161 km

border countries (3)

Cambodia 1,158 km, China 1,297 km, Laos 2,161 km

total

4,616 km

Land use

34.8% arable land 20.6%; permanent crops 12.1%; permanent pasture 2.1% 45% 20.2% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

34.8%

forest

45%

other

20.2% (2011 est.)

Location

Southeastern Asia, bordering the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, as well as China, Laos, and Cambodia

Map references

Southeast Asia

Maritime claims

12 nm 24 nm 200 nm 200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

contiguous zone

24 nm

continental shelf

200 nm or to the edge of the continental margin

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta

Natural resources

phosphates, coal, manganese, rare earth elements, bauxite, chromate, offshore oil and gas deposits, timber, hydropower, arable land

Population - distribution

though it has one of the highest population densities in the world, the population is not evenly dispersed; clustering is heaviest along the South China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin, with the Mekong Delta (in the south) and the Red River Valley (in the north) having the largest concentrations of people

Terrain

low, flat delta in south and north; central highlands; hilly, mountainous in far north and northwest

Age structure

23.55% (male 11,909,326/female 10,735,324) 16.23% (male 8,098,019/female 7,509,021) 45.56% (male 22,087,095/female 21,719,615) 8.55% (male 3,798,928/female 4,419,837) 6.12% (male 2,281,923/female 3,601,075) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

23.55% (male 11,909,326/female 10,735,324)

15-24 years

16.23% (male 8,098,019/female 7,509,021)

25-54 years

45.56% (male 22,087,095/female 21,719,615)

55-64 years

8.55% (male 3,798,928/female 4,419,837)

65 years and over

6.12% (male 2,281,923/female 3,601,075) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

15.5 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

14.1% (2015)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

75.7% (2015)

Death rate

5.9 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

42.5 32.9 9.6 10.4 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

9.6

potential support ratio

10.4 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

42.5

youth dependency ratio

32.9

Drinking water source

urban: 99.1% of population rural: 96.9% of population total: 97.6% of population urban: 0.9% of population rural: 3.1% of population total: 2.4% of population (2015 est.)

rural

3.1% of population

total

2.4% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0.9% of population

Education expenditures

5.7% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

Kinh (Viet) 85.7%, Tay 1.9%, Thai 1.8%, Muong 1.5%, Khmer 1.5%, Mong 1.2%, Nung 1.1%, Hoa 1%, other 4.3% 54 ethnic groups are recognized by the Vietnamese Government (2009 est.)

note

54 ethnic groups are recognized by the Vietnamese Government (2009 est.)

Health expenditures

7.1% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.4% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

8,000 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

250,000 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

2 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant mortality rate

17.3 deaths/1,000 live births 17.6 deaths/1,000 live births 16.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

16.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

17.6 deaths/1,000 live births

total

17.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Vietnamese (official), English (increasingly favored as a second language), some French, Chinese, and Khmer, mountain area languages (Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian)

Life expectancy at birth

73.7 years 71.2 years 76.4 years (2017 est.)

female

76.4 years (2017 est.)

male

71.2 years

total population

73.7 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 94.5% 96.3% 92.8% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

92.8% (2015 est.)

male

96.3%

total population

94.5%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis (2016)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever, malaria, and Japanese encephalitis (2016)

Major urban areas - population

Ho Chi Minh City 7.298 million; HANOI (capital) 3.629 million; Can Tho 1.175 million; Haiphong 1.075 million; Da Nang 952,000; Bien Hoa 834,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

54 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

30.5 years 29.4 years 31.7 years (2017 est.)

female

31.7 years (2017 est.)

male

29.4 years

total

30.5 years

Nationality

Vietnamese (singular and plural) Vietnamese

adjective

Vietnamese

noun

Vietnamese (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

-0.3 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

2.1% (2016)

Physicians density

1.18 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

Population

96,160,163 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

though it has one of the highest population densities in the world, the population is not evenly dispersed; clustering is heaviest along the South China Sea and Gulf of Tonkin, with the Mekong Delta (in the south) and the Red River Valley (in the north) having the largest concentrations of people

Population growth rate

0.93% (2017 est.)

Religions

Buddhist 7.9%, Catholic 6.6%, Hoa Hao 1.7%, Cao Dai 0.9%, Protestant 0.9%, Muslim 0.1%, none 81.8% (2009 est.)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 94.4% of population rural: 69.7% of population total: 78% of population urban: 5.6% of population rural: 30.3% of population total: 22% of population (2015 est.)

rural

30.3% of population

total

22% of population (2015 est.)

urban

5.6% of population

Sex ratio

1.11 male(s)/female 1.11 male(s)/female 1.08 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.85 male(s)/female 0.63 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.11 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.08 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.01 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.85 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.63 male(s)/female

at birth

1.11 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.81 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

7% 6.8% 7.3% (2015 est.)

female

7.3% (2015 est.)

male

6.8%

total

7%

Urbanization

34.9% of total population (2017) 2.59% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

2.59% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

34.9% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

58 provinces (tinh, singular and plural) and 5 municipalities (thanh pho, singular and plural) An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Dien Bien, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Ha Nam, Ha Tinh, Hai Duong, Hau Giang, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai Can Tho, Da Nang, Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

municipalities

Can Tho, Da Nang, Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

provinces

An Giang, Bac Giang, Bac Kan, Bac Lieu, Bac Ninh, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Binh Duong, Binh Phuoc, Binh Thuan, Ca Mau, Cao Bang, Dak Lak, Dak Nong, Dien Bien, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai, Ha Giang, Ha Nam, Ha Tinh, Hai Duong, Hau Giang, Hoa Binh, Hung Yen, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Kon Tum, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Lao Cai, Long An, Nam Dinh, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Ninh Thuan, Phu Tho, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Soc Trang, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien-Hue, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh, Tuyen Quang, Vinh Long, Vinh Phuc, Yen Bai

Capital

Hanoi (Ha Noi) 21 02 N, 105 51 E UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

21 02 N, 105 51 E

name

Hanoi (Ha Noi)

time difference

UTC+7 (12 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Vietnam no 5 years

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Vietnam

dual citizenship recognized

no

residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Constitution

several previous; latest adopted 15 April 1992, effective 1 January 1995; amended 2001, 2013 (2016)

Country name

Socialist Republic of Vietnam Vietnam Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam Viet Nam SRV "Viet nam" translates as "Viet south," where "Viet" is an ethnic self identification dating to a second century B.C. kingdom and "nam" refers to its location in relation to other Viet kingdoms

abbreviation

SRV

conventional long form

Socialist Republic of Vietnam

conventional short form

Vietnam

etymology

"Viet nam" translates as "Viet south," where "Viet" is an ethnic self identification dating to a second century B.C. kingdom and "nam" refers to its location in relation to other Viet kingdoms

local long form

Cong Hoa Xa Hoi Chu Nghia Viet Nam

local short form

Viet Nam

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Ted G. OSIUS III (since 16 December 2014) 7 Lang Ha Street, Hanoi 7 Lang Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi; 4550 Hanoi Place, Washington, DC 20521-4550 [84] (4) 3850-5000 [84] (4) 3850-5010 Ho Chi Minh City

chief of mission

Ambassador Ted G. OSIUS III (since 16 December 2014)

consulate(s) general

Ho Chi Minh City

embassy

7 Lang Ha Street, Hanoi

FAX

[84] (4) 3850-5010

mailing address

7 Lang Ha Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi; 4550 Hanoi Place, Washington, DC 20521-4550

telephone

[84] (4) 3850-5000

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Pham Quang VINH (since 23 February 2015) 1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036 [1] (202) 861-0737 [1] (202) 861-0917 Houston, San Francisco New York

chancery

1233 20th Street NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036

chief of mission

Ambassador Pham Quang VINH (since 23 February 2015)

consulate

New York

consulate(s) general

Houston, San Francisco

FAX

[1] (202) 861-0917

telephone

[1] (202) 861-0737

Executive branch

President Tran Dai QUANG (since 2 April 2016); Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc THINH (since 7 April 2016) Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan PHUC (since 7 April 2016); Deputy Prime Ministers Truong Hoa BINH (since 9 April 2016), Vuong Dinh HUE (since 9 April 2016), Vu Duc DAM (since 13 November 2013), Trinh Dinh DUNG (since 9 April 2016), Pham Binh MINH (since 13 November 2013) Cabinet proposed by prime minister, appointed by the president, and confirmed by the National Assembly president indirectly elected by National Assembly from among its members for a single 5-year term; election last held on 2 April 2016 (next to be held in spring 2021); prime minister appointed by the president from among members of the National Assembly, confirmed by National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by the prime minister, confirmed by National Assembly Tran Dai QUANG (CPV) elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 98.9%; Nguyen Xuan PHUC elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - 91.0%

cabinet

Cabinet proposed by prime minister, appointed by the president, and confirmed by the National Assembly

chief of state

President Tran Dai QUANG (since 2 April 2016); Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc THINH (since 7 April 2016)

election results

Tran Dai QUANG (CPV) elected president; percent of National Assembly vote - 98.9%; Nguyen Xuan PHUC elected prime minister; percent of National Assembly vote - 91.0%

elections/appointments

president indirectly elected by National Assembly from among its members for a single 5-year term; election last held on 2 April 2016 (next to be held in spring 2021); prime minister appointed by the president from among members of the National Assembly, confirmed by National Assembly; deputy prime ministers appointed by the prime minister, confirmed by National Assembly

head of government

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan PHUC (since 7 April 2016); Deputy Prime Ministers Truong Hoa BINH (since 9 April 2016), Vuong Dinh HUE (since 9 April 2016), Vu Duc DAM (since 13 November 2013), Trinh Dinh DUNG (since 9 April 2016), Pham Binh MINH (since 13 November 2013)

Flag description

red field with a large yellow five-pointed star in the center; red symbolizes revolution and blood, the five-pointed star represents the five elements of the populace - peasants, workers, intellectuals, traders, and soldiers - that unite to build socialism

Government type

communist state

Independence

2 September 1945 (from France)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ADB, APEC, ARF, ASEAN, CICA, CP, EAS, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (NGOs), ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme People's Court (consists of the chief justice and 13 judges) chief justice elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president for a 5-year, renewable term; other judges appointed by the president for 5-year terms Court of Appeals; administrative, civil, criminal, economic, and labor courts; Central Military Court; People's Special Courts; note - the National Assembly can establish special tribunals

highest court(s)

Supreme People's Court (consists of the chief justice and 13 judges)

judge selection and term of office

chief justice elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president for a 5-year, renewable term; other judges appointed by the president for 5-year terms

subordinate courts

Court of Appeals; administrative, civil, criminal, economic, and labor courts; Central Military Court; People's Special Courts; note - the National Assembly can establish special tribunals

Legal system

civil law system; note - the civil code of 2005 reflects a European-style civil law

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Quoc Hoi (500 seats; members directly elected by absolute majority vote with a second round if needed; members serve 5-year terms) last held on 22 May 2016 (next to be held in May 2021) percent of vote by party - CPV 95.8%, non-party members 4.2%; seats by party - CPV 473, non-party CPV-approved 19, self-nominated 2; note - 496 candidates elected, 2 CPV candidates-elect were disqualified

description

unicameral National Assembly or Quoc Hoi (500 seats; members directly elected by absolute majority vote with a second round if needed; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - CPV 95.8%, non-party members 4.2%; seats by party - CPV 473, non-party CPV-approved 19, self-nominated 2; note - 496 candidates elected, 2 CPV candidates-elect were disqualified

elections

last held on 22 May 2016 (next to be held in May 2021)

National anthem

"Tien quan ca" (The Song of the Marching Troops) Nguyen Van CAO adopted as the national anthem of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945; it became the national anthem of the unified Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976; although it consists of two verses, only the first is used as the official anthem

lyrics/music

Nguyen Van CAO

name

"Tien quan ca" (The Song of the Marching Troops)

note

adopted as the national anthem of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in 1945; it became the national anthem of the unified Socialist Republic of Vietnam in 1976; although it consists of two verses, only the first is used as the official anthem

National holiday

Independence Day (National Day), 2 September (1945)

National symbol(s)

yellow, five-pointed star on red field; lotus blossom; national colors: red, yellow

yellow, five-pointed star on red field; lotus blossom; national colors

red, yellow

Political parties and leaders

Communist Party of Vietnam or CPV [Nguyen Phu TRONG] other parties proscribed

note

other parties proscribed

Political pressure groups and leaders

8406 Bloc Democratic Party of Vietnam or DPV People's Democratic Party Vietnam or PDP-VN Alliance for Democracy these groups advocate democracy but are not recognized by the government

note

these groups advocate democracy but are not recognized by the government

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

rice, coffee, rubber, tea, pepper, soybeans, cashews, sugar cane, peanuts, bananas; pork; poultry; seafood

Budget

$49.48 billion $60.84 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$60.84 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$49.48 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-5.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

9% (31 December 2012) 15% (31 December 2011)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

6.96% (31 December 2016 est.) 7.12% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$8.235 billion (2016 est.) $906 million (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$84.34 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $77.8 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

37.6 (2008) 36.1 (1998)

Economy - overview

Vietnam is a densely populated developing country that has been transitioning from the rigidities of a centrally planned, highly agrarian economy since 1986 to a more industrial and market based economy, raising incomes substantially. In 2016, Vietnam missed its yearly growth target of 6.7% due to environmental issues – drought and salinization - impacting the agricultural sector and low oil prices affecting the extractive sector. However, annual GDP growth was 6.2%, reflecting strengthening domestic demand and strong manufacturing exports. Vietnam has a young population, stable political system, commitment to sustainable growth, relatively low inflation, stable currency, strong FDI inflows, and strong manufacturing sector. In addition, the country is committed to continuing its global economic integration. Vietnam joined the WTO in January 2007 and concluded several free trade agreements in 2015-16, including the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, the Korean Free Trade Agreement, and the Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement. However, to continue its trajectory of strong economic growth, the government acknowledges the need to spark a �second wave’ of reforms, including reforming state-owned-enterprises, reducing red tape, increasing business sector transparency, reducing the level of non-performing loans in the banking sector, and increasing financial sector transparency. Vietnam has demonstrated a commitment to sustainable growth over the last several years, but a recent slowdown in economic growth could test the government’s resolve. In 2016, Vietnam cancelled its civilian nuclear energy development program, citing public concerns about safety and the high cost of the program, and is facing growing pressure on energy infrastructure. Overall, the country’s infrastructure fails to meet the needs of an expanding middle class. As the 2017 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) chair, Vietnam will lead the dialogue on key APEC priorities such as inclusive growth, innovation, food security and climate change.

Exchange rates

dong (VND) per US dollar - 22,355 (2016 est.) 22,355 (2015 est.) 21,909 (2014 est.) 21,189 (2013 est.) 20,859 (2012 est.)

Exports

$176.6 billion (2016 est.) $162.1 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

clothes, shoes, electronics, seafood, crude oil, rice, coffee, wooden products, machinery

Exports - partners

US 20.2%, China 14.2%, Japan 8.2%, South Korea 6.2% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

68.5% 6.5% 23.7% -1.3% 93.6% -91.1% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

93.6%

government consumption

6.5%

household consumption

68.5%

imports of goods and services

-91.1% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

23.7%

investment in inventories

-1.3%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

16.3% 32.7% 40.9% (2016 est.)

agriculture

16.3%

industry

32.7%

services

40.9% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$6,400 (2016 est.) $6,100 (2015 est.) $5,800 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.2% (2016 est.) 6.7% (2015 est.) 6% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$201.3 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$595.4 billion (2016 est.) $553.5 billion (2015 est.) $513.3 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

30.7% of GDP (2016 est.) 27.5% of GDP (2015 est.) 31.7% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.2% 30.2% (2008)

highest 10%

30.2% (2008)

lowest 10%

3.2%

Imports

$162.6 billion (2016 est.) $154.7 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, petroleum products, steel products, raw materials for the clothing and shoe industries, electronics, plastics, automobiles

Imports - partners

China 25.1%, South Korea 17.5%, Japan 7.9%, US 6%, Thailand 4.7% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

7.6% (2016 est.)

Industries

food processing, garments, shoes, machine-building; mining, coal, steel; cement, chemical fertilizer, glass, tires, oil, mobile phones

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.7% (2016 est.) 0.6% (2015 est.)

Labor force

55.93 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

48% 21% 31% (2012)

agriculture

48%

industry

21%

services

31% (2012)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$51.88 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $46.07 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $40.06 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

11.3% (2012 est.)

Public debt

61.6% of GDP (2016 est.) 60.1% of GDP (2015 est.) official data; data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

note

official data; data cover general government debt, and includes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$36.91 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $28.62 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$299.2 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $256.7 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$7.7 billion (31 December 2009 est.) $5.3 billion (31 December 2008 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$115.4 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $102.8 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$277.3 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $239.3 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$73.48 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $62.92 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

24.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.3% (2016 est.) 3.4% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

142 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

183,600 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

301,800 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

4.4 billion bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

134.3 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

811 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

58% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

41% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

2.393 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

40.49 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

146.9 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

2,600,000 99% 100% 98% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

98% (2013)

electrification - total population

99%

electrification - urban areas

100%

population without electricity

2,600,000

Natural gas - consumption

15.5 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

9.08 billion cu m (2015 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

699.4 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

422,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

28,860 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

256,600 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

156,900 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Broadcast media

government controls all broadcast media exercising oversight through the Ministry of Information and Communication (MIC); government-controlled national TV provider, Vietnam Television (VTV), operates a network of 9 channels with several regional broadcasting centers; programming is relayed nationwide via a network of provincial and municipal TV stations; law limits access to satellite TV but many households are able to access foreign programming via home satellite equipment; government-controlled Voice of Vietnam, the national radio broadcaster, broadcasts on 6 channels and is repeated on AM, FM, and shortwave stations throughout Vietnam (2008)

Internet country code

.vn

Internet users

49.741 million 52.7% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

52.7% (July 2016 est.)

total

49.741 million

Telephone system

Vietnam is putting considerable effort into modernization and expansion of its telecommunication system all provincial exchanges are digitalized and connected to Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City by fiber-optic cable or microwave radio relay networks; main lines have been increased, and the use of mobile telephones is growing rapidly country code - 84; a landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3, the C2C, and Thailand-Vietnam-Hong Kong submarine cable systems; the Asia-America Gateway submarine cable system, completed in 2009, provided new access links to Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) (2016)

domestic

all provincial exchanges are digitalized and connected to Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City by fiber-optic cable or microwave radio relay networks; main lines have been increased, and the use of mobile telephones is growing rapidly

general assessment

Vietnam is putting considerable effort into modernization and expansion of its telecommunication system

international

country code - 84; a landing point for the SEA-ME-WE-3, the C2C, and Thailand-Vietnam-Hong Kong submarine cable systems; the Asia-America Gateway submarine cable system, completed in 2009, provided new access links to Asia and the US; satellite earth stations - 2 Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

5,598,017 6 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

6 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

5,598,017

Telephones - mobile cellular

122 million 129 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

129 (July 2016 est.)

total

122 million

Airports

45 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

9 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

13

2,438 to 3,047 m

6

914 to 1,523 m

9 (2013)

over 3,047 m

10

total

38

Airports - with unpaved runways

3 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

3

total

7

under 914 m

3 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

VN (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 142, cargo 335, chemical tanker 23, container 19, liquefied gas 7, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 48, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1 86 (Cambodia 1, Kiribati 2, Mongolia 33, Panama 43, Taiwan 1, Tuvalu 6) (2010)

by type

barge carrier 1, bulk carrier 142, cargo 335, chemical tanker 23, container 19, liquefied gas 7, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 48, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1, specialized tanker 1

registered in other countries

86 (Cambodia 1, Kiribati 2, Mongolia 33, Panama 43, Taiwan 1, Tuvalu 6) (2010)

total

579

National air transport system

29,944,771 384,470,240 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

384,470,240 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

29,944,771

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

140

number of registered air carriers

4

Pipelines

condensate 72 km; condensate/gas 398 km; gas 955 km; oil 128 km; oil/gas/water 33 km; refined products 206 km; water 13 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Cam Pha Port, Da Nang, Haiphong, Phu My, Quy Nhon Ho Chi Minh (Mekong) Saigon (6,556,000), Saigon New Port (5,026,000) (2015)

container port(s) (TEUs)

Saigon (6,556,000), Saigon New Port (5,026,000) (2015)

major seaport(s)

Cam Pha Port, Da Nang, Haiphong, Phu My, Quy Nhon

river port(s)

Ho Chi Minh (Mekong)

Railways

2,600 km 178 km 1.435-m gauge; 253 km mixed gauge 2,169 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)

narrow gauge

2,169 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)

standard gauge

178 km 1.435-m gauge; 253 km mixed gauge

total

2,600 km

Roadways

195,468 km 148,338 km 47,130 km (2013)

paved

148,338 km

total

195,468 km

unpaved

47,130 km (2013)

Waterways

47,130 km (30,831 km weight under 50 tons) (2011)

Maritime threats

the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the South China Sea as high risk for piracy and armed robbery against ships; numerous commercial vessels have been attacked and hijacked both at anchor and while underway; hijacked vessels are often disguised and cargo diverted to ports in East Asia; crews have been murdered or cast adrift; the number of reported incidents declined from 15 in 2015 to seven in 2016, primarily near the port of Vung Tau

Military branches

People's Armed Forces: People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN, includes Vietnam People's Navy (with Naval Infantry), Vietnam People's Air and Air Defense Force, Border Defense Command, Coast Guard) (2013)

People's Armed Forces

People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN, includes Vietnam People's Navy (with Naval Infantry), Vietnam People's Air and Air Defense Force, Border Defense Command, Coast Guard) (2013)

Military expenditures

2.44% of GDP (2016) 2.36% of GDP (2015) 2.29% of GDP (2014) 2.18% of GDP (2013) 2.16% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for male compulsory and voluntary military service; females may volunteer for active duty military service; conscription typically takes place twice annually and service obligation is 18 months (Army, Air Defense), 2 years (Navy and Air Force); 18-45 years of age (male) or 18-40 years of age (female) for Militia Force or Self Defense Force service; males may enroll in military schools at age 17 (2013)

Disputes - international

southeast Asian states have enhanced border surveillance to check the spread of avian flu; Cambodia and Laos protest Vietnamese squatters and armed encroachments along border; Cambodia accuses Vietnam of a wide variety of illicit cross-border activities; progress on a joint development area with Cambodia is hampered by an unresolved dispute over sovereignty of offshore islands; an estimated 300,000 Vietnamese refugees reside in China; establishment of a maritime boundary with Cambodia is hampered by unresolved dispute over the sovereignty of offshore islands; the decade-long demarcation of the China-Vietnam land boundary was completed in 2009; China occupies the Paracel Islands also claimed by Vietnam and Taiwan; Brunei claims a maritime boundary extending beyond as far as a median with Vietnam, thus asserting an implicit claim to Lousia Reef; the 2002 "Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea" has eased tensions but falls short of a legally binding "code of conduct" desired by several of the disputants; Vietnam continues to expand construction of facilities in the Spratly Islands; in March 2005, the national oil companies of China, the Philippines, and Vietnam signed a joint accord to conduct marine seismic activities in the Spratly Islands; Economic Exclusion Zone negotiations with Indonesia are ongoing, and the two countries in Fall 2011 agreed to work together to reduce illegal fishing along their maritime boundary

Illicit drugs

minor producer of opium poppy; probable minor transit point for Southeast Asian heroin; government continues to face domestic opium/heroin/methamphetamine addiction problems despite longstanding crackdowns; enforces the death penalty for drug trafficking

Refugees and internally displaced persons

11,000 (2016); note - Vietnam's stateless ethnic Chinese Cambodian population dates to the 1970s when thousands of Cambodians fled to Vietnam to escape the Khmer Rouge and were no longer recognized as Cambodian citizens; Vietnamese women who gave up their citizenship to marry foreign men have found themselves stateless after divorcing and returning home to Vietnam; the government addressed this problem in 2009, and Vietnamese women are beginning to reclaim their citizenship

stateless persons

11,000 (2016); note - Vietnam's stateless ethnic Chinese Cambodian population dates to the 1970s when thousands of Cambodians fled to Vietnam to escape the Khmer Rouge and were no longer recognized as Cambodian citizens; Vietnamese women who gave up their citizenship to marry foreign men have found themselves stateless after divorcing and returning home to Vietnam; the government addressed this problem in 2009, and Vietnamese women are beginning to reclaim their citizenship