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Introduction |
Vietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, covers an area of 332,000 square kilometers. It shares common borders with Cambodia, China and Laos. With a population of 80 million, it is the most densely populated country in Southeast Asia. The vast majority of the population is Vietnamese. Other ethnic groups include Chinese, Muong, Tai, Meo, Khmer, Man and Cham.
Vietnam, once a forbidden country for tourists, now attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors (with numbers increasing) every year. Rich culture, strong tradition, and a patriotic people characterize this fascinating country. This exotic destination offers such wonders as magical islands set in pristine waters as well as historic and cultural sites like temples, pagodas and churches. Traveling to Vietnam will be an unforgettable experience and will leave visitors deeply impressed.
Vietnam stretches over 1,800 square kilometers from north to south with several ranges of mountains. Due to this wide range of latitude and altitude, the weather pattern varies from region to region.
North: Winter lasts from November to April, with temperatures averaging 10-16C, fog and drizzle in February and March. Summer begins in May and lasts until October, with an average temperature of 30C, heavy rainfall and the occasional violent typhoon.
Centre: Central Vietnam experiences a transitional climate, with heavy rainfalls between November and December and dry, hot summer months.
South: Temperatures are fairly constant through the year; 25C - 30C. Seasons are determined by the rains - the dry season runs from November to April and the wet season from May to October. The hottest period is March and April. Typhoons are quite common in coastal areas between July and November.
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