Vietnam is a young country, both in history and population. An estimated 37 percent of all Vietnamese people are less than age 15, while 12 percent are over age 60. The population is largely homogenous. Geographically, it is the 74th largest country in the world and the 13th most populated country, with 85 million people. On average, there are 255 people per square kilometer, although the density in the major cities is much higher.
From the 1950s through much of the 1970s, Vietnam was the battleground of an extended war – divided north from south. The north was closely allied with Communist nations, primarily the Soviet Union (USSR). The south was supported by the United States and other allied nations. The Vietnam War (called “the American War” in Vietnam) ended in 1975, and political unity was established the next year when the Democratic Republic of Vietnam in the north and the Republic of Vietnam in the south once again became one nation.
In 1986, the Vietnam government began a program to move toward a market-based economy, and in the early and mid-1990s Vietnam made rapid economic progress that is quite evident today. In 1994, the U.S. government lifted its 20-year trade embargo and that did help the economy. However, Vietnam is still a developing country and poverty is still an important issue.
Tourism has grown enormously over recent years and Vietnam is now one of the top Asian travel destinations. International tourists from Asia, Europe, and North America can be seen in most large cities. The Vietnamese people and their government genuinely appreciate Americans and Canadians and they welcome them into their homes, lives and hearts.
