Vietnam

Vietnam is a long, narrow country in Southeast Asia. It sits on the eastern edge of a region called the Indochinese Peninsula. China lies to its north, while Laos and Cambodia sit to its west. Its eastern coast stretches along the South China Sea for more than 2,000 miles. More than 100 million people live in Vietnam today, making it one of the most populated countries in the world.

The shape of Vietnam is often compared to the letter S. At its skinniest point in the middle, the country is only about 30 miles wide. That is less than the distance most people drive to work in a week. The capital city is Hanoi, in the north. The largest city is Ho Chi Minh City, in the south. It used to be called Saigon.

Two great rivers shape life in Vietnam. The Red River flows through the north, and the Mekong River flows through the south. Both rivers form wide deltas where rich soil piles up. These deltas are perfect for growing rice. Vietnam is one of the top rice exporters in the world. Farmers still work many fields the old way, wading through flooded paddies while water buffalo pull plows through the mud.

Vietnam's history goes back thousands of years. For about 1,000 years, China ruled the region. Vietnam finally broke free in the year 939. Later, in the 1800s, France took control and made Vietnam part of its empire. After World War II, Vietnam fought to become independent again.

The country was then split in two. North Vietnam had a communist government, while South Vietnam was backed by the United States. From 1955 to 1975, these two sides fought the Vietnam War. The United States sent millions of soldiers to help the south. The war ended when the north won and reunited the country. Historians still debate why the war lasted so long and what its lessons are.

Today Vietnam is at peace and growing fast. Its factories make clothes, shoes, and electronics sold all over the world. Most people are Buddhist, but Catholic churches and other faiths are also common. Popular foods include pho, a hot noodle soup, and banh mi, a sandwich served on a crispy roll left over from French rule. Motorbikes fill the streets of every city. In Hanoi alone, more than 5 million of them weave through traffic each day.