Country Profile: Vietnam

Vietnam, located in Southeastern Asia, has a rich historical context marked by early dynastic rule and colonial experiences, primarily under French control. It is a nation with a population of over 106 million individuals, primarily concentrated in urban coastal regions. The economy has transformed significantly since the adoption of the Đổi Mới reforms in 1986, evolving into a dynamic hub for tourism and manufacturing, while the government retains a stringent communist political structure.

Geography

Vietnam is located in Southeastern Asia, bordered by the Gulf of Thailand, Gulf of Tonkin, and South China Sea. The country covers a total area of 331,210 sq km, with diverse terrains that include low, flat deltas, central highlands, and mountainous regions to the north. The climate varies from tropical in the south to monsoonal in the north, contributing to its rich biodiversity and agricultural potential.

3,444 km of coastline.
4,616 km of land borders with Cambodia, China, and Laos.
39.2% of land is used for agriculture (2023).
Home to Son Doong, the world's largest cave.

People and Society

Vietnam has a population of approximately 106.7 million (2025 est.), predominantly ethnic Kinh (85.3%), with a variety of recognized minority groups. The country has a youthful demographic, with a median age of 33.5 years and about 23.2% of the population under the age of 15. Vietnamese is the official language, and a significant portion of the population identifies with no religion.

96.1% literacy rate as of 2022.
39.5% urban population (2023).
Total fertility rate is 2.01 children/woman (2025).
Life expectancy at birth is 76.1 years (2024).

Economy

Vietnam is classified as a lower middle-income economy with significant growth driven by the Đổi Mới reforms. The GDP has been expanding rapidly, reaching an estimated $1.456 trillion in 2024 (PPP). The economy is diverse, with key sectors including agriculture, manufacturing, and services, while tourism continues to be a vital economic contributor.

11.9% of GDP from agriculture (2024).
1.5% unemployment rate (2024).
4.3% of the population lives below the national poverty line (2022).
Exports reached $429.4 billion in 2024.

Government

Vietnam is a communist party-led state, officially known as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The political landscape is characterized by a single-party system where the Communist Party dominates governance. The capital city is Hanoi, with a governance structure that includes an executive branch led by the President and a unicameral National Assembly.

500 members in the National Assembly, with elections every five years.
The president is indirectly elected and serves a 5-year term.
Vietnam's independence was declared on September 2, 1945.

Military and Security

The People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) is the primary military force, responsible for both defense and internal security. Military expenditures account for approximately 1.8% of GDP, with a focus on diverse armament sources and regional security challenges, especially concerning the South China Sea.

Approximately 450,000 active-duty personnel (2025).
Military service age is between 18-27 years.
Vietnam practices a non-aligned foreign security policy.

Energy

Vietnam has made considerable strides in energy production, achieving 100% electrification of its population. Energy sources are diversified, with a significant reliance on fossil fuels as well as growing investments in renewable energy.

50.6% of electricity is generated from fossil fuels (2023).
Coal production reached 51.5 million metric tons in 2023.
Installed electricity capacity of 85.725 million kW (2023).

Environment

Vietnam faces various environmental challenges, including deforestation, water pollution, and climate change effects. The government participates in multiple international agreements aimed at addressing biodiversity and climate change.

39.2% of land is used for agriculture (2023).
Significant emissions of 305.4 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023).
46% of municipal solid waste is recycled (2022).

Transportation

Vietnam's transportation infrastructure includes an extensive network of railways, roads, and air travel facilities. The country has several major ports and airports that facilitate trade and connectivity.

2,600 km of railways (2014).
36 airports (2025).
Merchant marine fleet consists of 1,973 vessels (2022).

Communications

Vietnam boasts a rapidly growing telecommunications sector, with significant mobile phone adoption and internet penetration across the population.

129 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2024).
Internet usage is at 78% of the population (2023).
22.8 million fixed broadband subscriptions (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	106,688,169	Estimate for 2025
Area	331,210 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$1.456 trillion	Estimated for 2024
Energy Consumption per Capita	40.263 million Btu	Estimate for 2023
Birth Rate	14.58 births/1,000	Estimate for 2025
Unemployment Rate	1.5%	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy at Birth	76.1 years	Estimate for 2024
Literacy Rate	96.1%	Estimate for 2022
Military Expenditures (% of GDP)	1.8%	Estimated for 2023
Urban Population	39.5%	Estimate for 2023