The land is principally agricultural with a central tropical rainforest. Socialist republic since 1980. Gained independence from France in 1954. English, French, Chinese and occasionally Russian and German are spoken. Outgoing international code is 00.
Coverage is limited to main urban areas.
E-mail can be accessed from cybercaf s in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Facilities are available in most towns. Postal services can be slow. Airmail to Europe can take up to three weeks. The Vietnam Economic Times, Vietnam Investment Review, Saigon Times, Vietnam News and Vietnam Courier are published in English.