Careerbreaker Destinations - New For 2007 - Vietnam
Bordering China, Laos, Cambodia and the South China Sea, the beautiful country of Vietnam is blessed with everything south east Asia could possibly offer: crazy cities, tranquil beaches, jungle, hill-tribes, temples, rich diverse culture and great food.
The majority ethnic Vietnamese, also called Viet or Kinh, make up about 86 percent of the nation's population. They are concentrated largely in the deltas and in the coastal plains. Ethnic minorities are found mostly in the highlands that cover two-thirds of the national territory, in total there are 54 different ethnic groups many with their own languages and dialects including Tay, Murong and Cantonese. The majority of Vietnamese are Mahayana Buddhist which is strongly influenced by Confucianism due to Vietnam’s long association with China; other religions include Christianity, Islam, Caodaiism and Hoa Hao.
Nearly three quarters of Vietnam is rolling hills and soaring majestic mountains, much of which are covered by ancient forests. With a mainly tropical climate this sublimely beautiful country offers breathtaking scenery and a rich and diverse cultural experience. Soak up the spectacular vistas of Sapa, or take a dip in Halong Bay. Embrace new and colourful ethnicities in the central-highlands, where the hills are draped in a cultural patchwork of semi-nomadic tribes. Meander through the narrow streets of Hoi An, a town frozen in time, where Japanese and Vietnamese heritage entwine gracefully, or sit down and grab a bowl of Pho Bo in Ho Chi Minh city while watching the crowds go by.
Vietnam allows you to experience communism first hand, in a place populated by chatty, smiley, cheerful people in defiance of a fascinating history. Much troubled by decades of independence wars, prior to unification in 1976, Vietnam has witnessed rapid economic growth in the last 10 years, although a huge disparity still remains between the relative wealth of urban areas and the traditional rural areas, where many of the country’s ethnic minorities live.
Careerbreaker projects in 2007 will be looking to support poorer rural communities with sustainable development initiatives focusing on education and healthcare.
What Can I do In Vietnam?
Community Development Projects
Adventurous Travel
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Destinations Homepage
About Vietnam
Full Name
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Capital City
Hanoi (pop 3.5 million)
Area
329,566 sq km
127,245 sq miles
Population
81,624,700
Time Zone
& hours ahead of the UK
Languages
Vietnamese (official)
Russian (other)
French (other)
Chinese (other)
English (other)
Religion
Buddhism is the principal religion but there are also sizeable Taoist, Confucian, Hoa Hao, Cao Daists, Muslim and Christian minorities
Currency
Dong (D)
Famous for
Emerald water and tropical islands, paddie fields and luscious green landscapes
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