Date of independence, or formation date: 1976
Date when current borders were established: 1976
National day: Sept 2
Vehicle country identifying code: VN
Time zone (hours plus or minus from GMT): +7
International telephone dialling code: +84
Internet country identifying code: .vn

Vietnam lies on the eastern side of the Indochinese peninsula. Over half the country is dominated by the heavily forested mountain range, the Chaîne Annamitique. The most populated areas, which are also the most intensively cultivated, are along the Red and Mekong Rivers. Partitioned after World War II, Vietnam was not reunited until 1976, a few months after the communist north finally defeated the southern regime and its US allies in the Vietnam War. Vietnam is now a single-party state ruled by the Communist Party. Since 1986, the regime has pursued a liberal economic policy known as doi moi (renovation).

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004