Geography and Climate

Vietnam occupies a land area of 330,000 sq. km. and measures 1,650 km from its northern border with China to its southernmost tip at the Eastern Sea. Situated in the heart of Southeast Asia, with 3,260 km of spectacular coastline, Vietnam offers ideal advantages for economic development, trade and tourism.

Mountains and tropical forest cover three quarters of Vietnam, but the flatlands make up the most heavily populated portion of the country. The country’s two “rice bowls” lie in the Red River delta in the North and the Mekong River delta in the South.

Hanoi, the nation’s capital, lies on the banks of the Red River. It is not only the country’s political, cultural and educational capital but also the most important economic center in the North. Ho Chi Minh City, the new name for Saigon, lies just north of the Mekong Delta in the South, and is the largest city in Vietnam. The city, with a population of five million, functions as the country’s economic heart and business hub. Danang, in the central part of the country, is the third largest city and an important port.

Vietnam has two climates. The southern and central regions have a tropical climate with dry and rainy seasons and are normally humid throughout the year. In the north, the four seasons, including a distinct winter, are more defined. Average annual rainfall is about 223 cm.

Natural Resources

Oil and Gas

Vietnam’s potential crude oil reserves in the southern offshore area stand at about 270 million tons and are likely to increase substantially with continued exploration.

Vietnam has potential non-associated gas reserves of more than 360 billion cubic meters. Proven associated gas reserves are on the order of 57 billion cubic meters.

Mineral Resources

Vietnam’s primary coal resource, anthracite, is concentrated in Quang Ninh Province in the Northeast. It has potential recoverable reserves of 7-8 billion tons of which 600 million tons are shallow (within a depth of 100 meters). The country also has an abundance of other minerals, including bauxite, iron ore, copper, gold, precious stones, tin, chromate, apatite, and building materials such as granite, marble, clay, silica sand, and graphite.

Other Resources

Vietnam is also very rich in other natural resources including significant hydropower (10,000 MW), marine resources, tropical forest, and agricultural potential. The country has 4 world heritages recognized by UNESCO, beautiful beaches, national ecologic forests, countryside, high-land and historic places.