Vietnamese is the mother tongue and official language of Vietnam, spoken by the vast majority of the population. Initially, Vietnamese was written using Han characters; later, Vietnamese ancestors developed their own writing system, known as Chữ Nôm. Vietnamese is not only used within Vietnam but also in regions around the world where Vietnamese communities reside.

In addition, English is increasingly widely used and is regarded as a second language in Vietnam, particularly in education, business, and international integration. A small proportion of the population also uses other languages such as French, Chinese, Khmer, Russian, Czech, German, and Polish.

The policy to make English the second language in Vietnam’s education system was officially approved by the Prime Minister on October 27, 2025, under Decision No. 2371/QD-TTg. The project, titled “Making English the Second Language in Schools for the Period 2025–2035, with a Vision to 2045” aims to create a comprehensive ecosystem for the widespread use of English in teaching, communication, and school administration.

Vietnam is a socialist country led by a single political party. Elections are held every five years through Party Congresses and are adjusted every two years at plenary meetings of the Central Committee. The General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam is the head of the Party and leads the entire political system. The President represents the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in domestic and foreign affairs. The Government is the highest state administrative body of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and is responsible for governing and managing political, economic, social, security, and foreign affairs.

The National Assembly has the authority to approve and amend the Constitution and laws, make important decisions on national issues, and supervise all activities of state agencies. People’s Committees manage administrative affairs within their jurisdictions, oversee the daily operations of local state agencies, and implement policies adopted by the People’s Councils.

From July 1, 2025, Vietnam’s local governance system underwent a major reform. Instead of the former three-tier system-provincial, district, and communal levels-the country now applies a unified two-tier local government model consisting of provincial and communal levels, with clearly defined responsibilities, authority, and organizational structures for each level nationwide. This reform represents a major, historically significant milestone for Vietnam, laying a solid foundation for the country to confidently advance into a new era of development.

Southern Vietnam has a tropical climate with two distinct seasons: the rainy season from mid-May to mid-September and the dry season from mid-October to mid-March. Northern Vietnam is influenced by a monsoon climate with four seasons: spring, summer, autumn, and winter. 

Located along the coastline, Vietnam’s climate is moderated by ocean currents and exhibits strong maritime characteristics. The average relative humidity is around 84% year-round. Annual rainfall ranges from 1,200 to 3,000 mm, and temperatures typically range from 5°C to 37°C.

Until 2015, foreigners were not allowed to purchase real estate in Vietnam. Since then, foreigners may buy property provided they meet one simple requirement: they must be legally residing in Vietnam with a valid visa of at least three months. Urban areas such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are often crowded, with higher rental costs compared to other regions. 

As a foreign resident in Vietnam, you can choose from several housing options. Serviced apartments are a practical choice for short-term stays of a few months; they are usually located in high-rise buildings or hotels and come fully furnished with amenities such as gyms and restaurants. Monthly rental apartments offer greater freedom and flexibility, allowing tenants to arrange their living space according to personal preferences, as long as terms are clearly agreed upon with the landlord. 

Houses are also available for rent, either furnished or unfurnished, and can be a suitable option for families seeking more privacy and space. Renting a room is the simplest and most affordable option, typically consisting of a private room with an en-suite bathroom and shared kitchen facilities, with both furnished and unfurnished options available.

There are five stages in Vietnam’s education system: pre-primary, primary, intermediate, secondary, higher education. Children enjoy twelve years of basic education on a half-day basis before they move on to college, university, or begin work.

Vietnam performs well on general education. In 2025, many Vietnamese contestants participating in international academic Olympiads won awards, securing a total of 13 gold medals, 16 silver medals, and 8 bronze medals - the highest achievement recorded in many years.

In recent years, Vietnam’s healthcare system has made significant progress in terms of scale, service quality, and accessibility for the public.

Public hospitals in Vietnam, particularly at the central and provincial levels, have received increasingly comprehensive investment in infrastructure, modern medical equipment, and highly qualified medical professionals. Many institutions have successfully mastered advanced medical techniques and treated complex diseases, helping to reduce healthcare costs and limit the need for patients to seek treatment abroad.

At the same time, the system of private hospitals and clinics has developed dynamically, offering a wide range of services with a strong focus on service quality, advanced technology, and patient-centered care. A number of private hospitals meet international standards and have attracted participation from foreign investors and medical experts, contributing additional resources and capacity to the national healthcare system.

With the preferential location, Vietnam is one of recommended destinations for travelers around the world. Culture will vary from location to location across the country. Moreover, low expenditure costs lead Vietnam to become one of the most popular destinations. Vietnam is one of the countries where has the most World Culture Heritage:

Natural heritage sites: Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Cultural Heritage Sites, Complex of Hue Monuments, Hoi An Ancient Town, Central Sector of The Imperial Citadel of Thang Long - Hanoi,…

Mixed heritage site: Trang An Landscape Complex.

Intangible cultural heritage forms: Nha Nhac, Vietnamese Court Music, The Space of Gong Culture in Central Highlands, Quan ho Bac Ninh Folk Songs, Art of Don Ca Tai Tu Music…

Documentary heritage: Buddhist Sutra Woodblocks of Truc Lam Zen at Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, Woodblocks of Nguyen Dynasty, Stone Stele Records of Royal Examinations of the Le and Mac Dynasties…

Vietnam’s transport and logistics system is increasingly diverse and well developed. The transport sector has completed more than 1,600 kilometers of coastal roads and over 3,000 kilometers of expressways, has completed the North - South Expressway and advanced the construction of several east - west expressway corridors. Key international gateway seaports and major port access channels have been upgraded and expanded, while important inland waterway routes and interregional connections have been improved and modernized. In parallel, major airport infrastructure projects have been completed and put into operation, along with the launch of several urban railway lines in the country’s two largest cities.
At the same time, the Government is actively promoting the greening of the transport sector by encouraging the use of electric vehicles, investing in charging stations and parking infrastructure, and advancing policies toward completing the transition to green transportation in the capital city before 2030.
The most common modes of transportation within Vietnam are cars, motorbikes, buses, ride-hailing taxis, and trains.

Although Vietnam officially recognizes 12 public holidays and traditional festivals under the 2019 Labor Code, employees may enjoy a total of approximately 12 to 16 days of paid leave each year.

According to Vietnamese labour laws, if a recognised public holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, the following Monday is observed as a paid holiday. Significant public holidays include New Year’s Day and several Tet holidays that honour religious freedom and political independence. The majority of the Tet holidays are observed in February, many of which fall on weekends.

Popular Holidays: New Year's Day, Vietnam Lunar New Year Festival (Tết Nguyên Đán), Hung Kings Temple Festival (Lễ Hội Đền Hùng - Giỗ Tổ Hùng Vương), Reunification Day, Labor Day, National Day.