Hanoi's Temple of Literature Dates to 1070
It became Vietnam's first national university in 1076.
TopicVietnam
10 facts
Discover Vietnam—a Southeast Asian gem with rich history, stunning landscapes, vibrant culture, and world-famous cuisine.
Vietnam Is One of the World's Top Rice Exporters
The Mekong Delta is often called the country's rice bowl.
Pho Is Vietnam's Famous Noodle Soup
The dish of broth, rice noodles and beef or chicken originated in northern Vietnam.
Vietnam Was Divided Into North and South From 1954 to 1976
The country was reunified in 1976, after the fall of Saigon in 1975.
Ha Long Bay Has Nearly 2,000 Limestone Islands
The UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its karst towers rising from emerald water.
Vietnam Has More Motorbikes Than 95% of Countries Have People
With over 73 million registered motorbikes for a population of about 97 million, Vietnam has one of the highest motorbike-to-person ratios on Earth. Crossing a street in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City is famously an art form.
Vietnamese Is a Tonal Language with Six Distinct Tones
The same syllable spoken in six different tones can carry six completely different meanings in Vietnamese. For example, 'ma' can mean ghost, cheek, rice seedling, but, tomb, or horse depending on the tone used.
Vietnam's Coastline Is Longer Than the Country Is Wide
Vietnam stretches over 3,200 km of coastline despite being only about 50 km wide at its narrowest point. The country's S-shape means it spans multiple climate zones, from subtropical north to tropical south.
Vietnam Is One of the World's Top Coffee Exporters
Vietnam is the second-largest coffee producer on Earth, behind only Brazil. It dominates the robusta bean market, and its iconic egg coffee—cà phê trứng—is a beloved Hanoi invention from the 1940s.
Vietnam Has the World's Largest Cave
Son Doong Cave in Quang Binh province is so enormous it has its own weather system, jungle, and river inside. Its largest chamber is over 5 km long and tall enough to fit a 40-story skyscraper.