Full Country Name: Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Location: South East Asia. Vietnam is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, and Cambodia to the southwest.

Total Area: 329,566 sq. km (128, 527 sq. miles)

Population: Approximatley 90 million (2011)

Capital City: Hanoi (population about 6 million)

People: 85% Vietnamese (Kinh), 3% ethnic Chinese,also Khmer, Cham (a remnant of the Champa Kingdom) and members of some 54 ethnic minority groups

Languages: Vietnamese, French, Chinese, English and a variety of Mon-Khmer and Malayo-Polynesian local dialects

Religions: Buddhism is the principal religion but there are also sizeable Taoist, Confucian, Hoa Hao, Cao Dai, Muslim and Christian minorities. Ancestor worship is also widely practiced.

Current President: Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet

Current Prime Minister: Mr. Nguyen Tan Dung