Country Profile: Vietnam

Vietnam, located in Southeast Asia, boasts a unique geography characterized by its long, narrow shape stretching along the South China Sea. Its population of over 106 million is predominantly ethnic Vietnamese (Kinh), reflecting a rich tapestry of cultural diversity. The economy has seen remarkable growth since the introduction of the Đổi Mới reforms in 1986, transitioning to a lower middle-income status and becoming a hub for tourism and manufacturing. Governance remains under the strict control of the Communist Party, which has faced challenges related to corruption and social inequality.

Geography

Vietnam is situated in Southeast Asia, bordered by the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea, and shares land borders with China, Laos, and Cambodia. Its topography features low, flat deltas in the south and north, central highlands, and mountainous regions in the north. The country experiences a tropical climate in the south and a monsoonal climate in the north.

Area: 331,210 sq km
Coastline: 3,444 km
Terrain: Low and flat in deltas, with central highlands and mountainous north
Climate: Tropical in south; monsoonal in north
Natural resources: Includes coal, bauxite, and offshore oil deposits

People and Society

Vietnam's estimated population is approximately 106.7 million, making it one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The country is home to 54 recognized ethnic groups, with the Kinh making up a significant majority. Vietnamese is the official language, and the country features a diverse cultural landscape, influenced heavily by Buddhism and other religions.

Population: 106,688,169 (2025 est.)
Urbanization: 39.5% of total population live in urban areas (2023)
Literacy Rate: 96.1% (2022 est.)
Median Age: 33.5 years (2025 est.)
Life Expectancy: 76.1 years (2024 est.)

Economy

Vietnam's economy has transitioned to a lower middle-income status, characterized by rapid growth primarily due to the Đổi Mới reforms. The country is a significant hub for manufacturing and tourism, with a strong focus on productivity and foreign investment. However, challenges like systemic corruption persist alongside rising income inequality.

GDP (PPP): $1.456 trillion (2024 est.)
GDP Growth Rate: 7.1% (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 1.5% (2024 est.)
Poverty Rate: 4.3% (2022 est.)
Exports: $429.383 billion (2024 est.)

Government

Vietnam is a one-party socialist republic led by the Communist Party. The political structure includes the presidency, a unicameral National Assembly, and a judiciary that operates under civil law influenced by European legal systems. The government emphasizes economic reform while maintaining strict political control.

Government Type: Communist party-led state
Capital: Hanoi
Independence: September 2, 1945
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years of age
Constitution: Adopted November 28, 2013

Military and Security

The People's Army of Vietnam includes ground forces, navy, and air defense. The country practices a non-aligned foreign policy, focusing on internal security and territorial integrity, especially in response to maritime disputes in the South China Sea.

Active Military Personnel: 450,000 (2025 est.)
Military Expenditures: 1.8% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Service Age: 18-27 years
Military Equipment Origin: Primarily from Russia and the former Soviet Union
UN Deployments: 200 personnel in Abyei/South Sudan/Sudan (2025)

Energy

Vietnam has achieved full electricity access for its population and is diversifying its energy sources, including fossil fuels, solar, and hydroelectricity. The country is also a growing consumer of coal and petroleum, reflecting its industrial ambitions.

Electricity Access: 100% (2022 est.)
Installed Capacity: 85.725 million kW (2023 est.)
Coal Consumption: 96.099 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Natural Gas Production: 7.48 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
Renewable Energy Contribution: 34.3% from hydroelectricity (2023 est.)

Environment

Vietnam faces significant environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil degradation, and water pollution. The government is a participant in several international environmental agreements aimed at combating these issues.

Environmental Issues: Deforestation and water pollution
Forest Cover: 47% of land area (2023 est.)
Carbon Dioxide Emissions: 305.404 million metric tonnes (2023 est.)
Municipal Waste Generated: 9.57 million tons (2024 est.)
Percent of Waste Recycled: 46% (2022 est.)

Transportation

Vietnam's transportation infrastructure includes a variety of air, rail, and maritime services, with key investments in expanding its airport and port systems to support economic growth.

Airports: 36 (2025)
Railways: 2,600 km (2014)
Merchant Marine Vessels: 1,973 (2022)
Total Ports: 16 (2024)
Heliports: 26 (2025)

Communications

The communications sector in Vietnam has seen significant growth, particularly in mobile and internet services, despite governmental limitations on media access.

Mobile Subscriptions: 129 million (2024 est.)
Internet Users: 78% of the population (2023 est.)
Fixed-line Telephone Subscriptions: 2.316 million (2023 est.)
Broadband Fixed Subscriptions: 22.8 million (2023 est.)
Broadcast Media: State-controlled and limited foreign programming access

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	106,688,169	2025 estimate
Area	331,210 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$1.456 trillion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	1.5%	2024 estimate
GDP Growth Rate	7.1%	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy at Birth	76.1 years	2024 estimate
Electricity Access	100%	2022 estimate
Military Expenditures	1.8% of GDP	2023 estimate
Urban Population	39.5%	2023
Carbon Dioxide Emissions	305.404 million metric tonnes	2023 estimate