Country Profile: Vietnam

Vietnam, located in Southeast Asia, is bordered by the Gulf of Thailand, the Gulf of Tonkin, and the South China Sea, as well as by China, Laos, and Cambodia. The country has a diverse population of over 106 million people, primarily consisting of the Kinh ethnic group. Vietnam has transformed its economy significantly since the 1986 Đổi Mới reforms, evolving into a dynamic hub for agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism, albeit within a tightly controlled political system led by the Communist Party. As a lower middle-income country, Vietnam continues to grapple with challenges such as income inequality and corruption.

Geography

Vietnam is situated in Southeastern Asia, sharing borders with China, Laos, and Cambodia, and has a coastline that extends 3,444 km along the South China Sea. The country has a diverse terrain, characterized by low flat deltas in the south, central highlands, and mountainous regions in the north. Its climate varies from tropical in the south to monsoonal in the north, influencing agricultural practices and population distribution.

331,210 sq km: Total area of Vietnam.
4,616 km: Total length of land borders.
3,444 km: Length of Vietnam's coastline.
21.5% (2023): Arable land percentage of agricultural land.
47% (2023): Forested area contributing to natural resources.

People and Society

Vietnam's population is estimated at 106.7 million as of 2025, with a median age of 33.5 years. The society is ethnically diverse, with the Kinh making up 85.3% of the population. While many citizens are culturally Buddhist, the country has a variety of religions, including a significant Catholic community. Urbanization is on the rise, with 39.5% of the population living in urban areas as of 2023.

96.1% (2022): Literacy rate for the total population.
14.58 births/1,000 population (2025): Birth rate.
76.1 years (2024): Average life expectancy at birth.
1.01 male(s)/female: Overall sex ratio in the population.
43.1% (2025): Male tobacco use prevalence.

Economy

Vietnam has seen rapid economic growth, transitioning into a lower middle-income economy, driven by its integration into global markets through reforms. The agricultural sector contributes 11.9% to the GDP, while services account for 42.4%. Despite this growth, the country faces challenges such as corruption and poverty among ethnic minorities.

$1.456 trillion (2024 est.): Real GDP (PPP).
1.5% (2024 est.): Unemployment rate.
7.1% (2024 est.): Projected GDP growth rate.
$429.383 billion (2024 est.): Forecasted exports.
$398.672 billion (2024 est.): Forecasted imports.

Government

Vietnam is a socialist republic led by the Communist Party, with a unicameral National Assembly responsible for legislative functions. The executive branch includes a president and a prime minister, both serving fixed terms. The legal system is based on civil law with significant influence from European models, and multiple attempts have been made to modernize the constitution and governance structures.

Socialist Republic of Vietnam: Official name.
Hanoi: Capital city.
500: Total seats in the National Assembly.
18 years: Minimum voting age.
2013: Year the current constitution was adopted.

Military and Security

The People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) encompasses ground forces, naval, and air defense units, playing a crucial role in national defense. Military expenditure is around 1.8% of GDP as of 2023, reflecting the country's commitment to maintaining a capable defense force amid regional tensions.

450,000: Active-duty personnel in the military (2025).
1.8% (2023): Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP.
24-36 months: Mandatory service period for military conscription.
200: Ongoing deployment of military personnel in international peacekeeping (2025).

Energy

Vietnam has made strides in electricity access and generation capacity, achieving full electrification and a diversified energy mix including fossil fuels and renewables. As of 2023, the country's electricity consumption reflects a growing demand in tandem with economic expansion.

100% (2022): Electrification of the entire population.
85.725 million kW (2023): Installed electricity generation capacity.
277.501 billion kWh (2023): Total electricity consumption.
51.519 million metric tons (2023): Coal production.
187,000 bbl/day (2023): Daily petroleum production.

Environment

Vietnam faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, water pollution, and the impact of climate change. The country is actively participating in various international environmental agreements, although it struggles with the consequences of rapid industrialization.

39.2% (2023): Agricultural land use.
9.57 million tons (2024): Municipal solid waste generated annually.
46% (2022): Percentage of municipal solid waste recycled.
305.404 million metric tons (2023): Total carbon dioxide emissions.

Transportation

Vietnam's transportation system includes a mix of railways, airports, and maritime ports, facilitating both domestic and international travel and trade. The country has invested in infrastructure to support its growing economy.

2,600 km: Total railway length (2014).
36: Number of airports (2025).
1,973: Total vessels in the merchant marine (2022).
16: Number of ports (2024).

Communications

Vietnam has a rapidly growing telecommunications sector with widespread mobile phone usage and internet access. The majority of the population engages in digital communications, reflecting an upward trend in connectivity.

129 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).
78% (2023): Proportion of the population using the internet.
22.8 million: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	106,688,169 (2025 est.)	Estimated total population
Area	331,210 sq km	Total area of Vietnam
GDP (PPP)	$1.456 trillion (2024)	Purchasing power parity
Electricity access	100%	Total population with electricity access
Unemployment rate	1.5% (2024)	Percentage of the labor force seeking employment
Birth rate	14.58 births/1,000	Estimated birth rate
Life expectancy at birth	76.1 years (2024)	Average life expectancy
Total fertility rate	2.01 children/woman (2025)	Average number of children per woman
Military expenditure	1.8% of GDP (2023)	Percentage of GDP spent on military
Literacy rate	96.1% (2022)	Total population literacy rate