According to baglib.com, Vietnam is located in Southeast Asia and shares its borders with China, Laos, and Cambodia. It has a coastline of over 3,400 kilometres along the South China Sea, Gulf of Tonkin and the Gulf of Thailand. It is a long, narrow country with a total area of 331,210 square kilometres. The topography of Vietnam is varied and includes mountains in the north and west, hills in the north-central region, plains in the south-central region and coastal deltas in the south.
The highest point in Vietnam is Fansipan Mountain at 3,143 metres above sea level. This mountain is located on the Hoang Lien Son mountain range which runs through northern Vietnam. The Red River Delta forms a flat alluvial plain around Hanoi while further south lies an extensive coastal plain extending from Quang Ninh province to Khanh Hoa province. This coastal plain contains several large river deltas such as that of the Mekong River which forms a delta around Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon).
Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate which consists of two distinct seasons; wet season (May to October) and dry season (November to April). The average temperature throughout Vietnam ranges from 21°C to 33°C with higher temperatures occurring during summer months. The northern part of Vietnam experiences cold winters due to its high elevation while southern parts experience milder winters with more rainfall.
Vietnam’s natural resources include coal, phosphates, manganese, bauxite, chromate ore, tin and rare earth elements such as titanium. Its agricultural land produces rice as well as various fruits such as dragon fruit and jackfruit. Fishing also plays an important role in Vietnamese economy with many varieties of fish being caught from its coastal waters including tuna, mackerels and prawns. In addition to this there are rich deposits of oil and gas off the coast which have been exploited since early 2000s providing further economic benefit for Vietnam.
Mountains
Vietnam is home to several major mountain ranges, including the Annamite Range and Truong Son Range. The Annamite Range stretches from the northwest of Vietnam, through the center of the country and all the way to the southeast. It forms a natural border between Laos and Vietnam and is home to many species of wildlife. The highest peak in this range is Fansipan at 3,143 meters above sea level. To the north lies the Truong Son Range, which runs parallel to the Annamite Range along much of its length. This range features many rugged mountains and deep valleys, with some peaks reaching as high as 2,800 meters above sea level. In addition to these two major mountain ranges, Vietnam also has several smaller mountain ranges such as Bach Ma Range, Nghe Anh Range and Ba Vi Mountain. These mountains are home to a wide variety of flora and fauna and provide great opportunities for trekking and exploration.
Rivers
The Red River, also known as the Song Hong, is the second largest river in Vietnam and runs through the northern part of the country. It originates in Yunnan province in China and flows south before turning east and entering Vietnam at Lào Cai province. It then continues south for more than 1,200 kilometers before emptying into the Gulf of Tonkin. Along its course, it passes through several major cities in Vietnam such as Hanoi, Hai Phong, Vinh and Nam Dinh. The Red River Delta is one of the most important rice-producing areas of Southeast Asia; it has a rich diversity of fauna and flora and is home to many species of fish.
The Mekong River is the longest river in Vietnam, running nearly 2,700 kilometers from its source in Tibet to its mouth at the South China Sea. This major tributary of the Mekong provides vital water resources to millions living along its banks in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam. The Mekong Delta region is an incredibly fertile agricultural area where much of Vietnam’s rice production takes place; it also supports a rich diversity of wildlife including many unique species found nowhere else on Earth. In addition to providing sustenance for people along its banks, this mighty river has long been used as a trade route between countries.
Lakes
Vietnam is home to many large and beautiful lakes, some of which are among the largest in Southeast Asia. The most significant of these is Hoan Kiem Lake, located in the heart of Hanoi. This picturesque urban lake is believed to have been created during the 15th century and is considered an important cultural and historical landmark. The lake covers an area of over 12 hectares and features a small island in its center called Jade Island, which houses a temple dedicated to the Vietnamese general Tran Hung Dao. Other notable lakes in Vietnam include West Lake, located near Hanoi, Ba Be Lake in Bac Kan Province, Xuan Huong Lake in Da Lat City, Thac Ba Lake in Yen Bai Province, and Lang Co Bay near Hue City. Each of these lakes offers visitors stunning natural scenery with breathtaking views and unique experiences. For instance, Ba Be Lake boasts over 200 species of fish as well as many caves that can be explored by boat. Thac Ba Lake also has many islands that can be explored on foot or by kayak while Lang Co Bay offers visitors a wide variety of activities such as fishing, swimming or simply relaxing on its pristine white sand beaches.
