Top 10 facts about Vietnam

Vietnam gained independence in 1945

TODAY is the National Day of Vietnam, celebrating their Declaration of Independence from France on September 2, 1945.

 

1. The Declaration was made by Ho Chi Minh, who was President of North Vietnam from 1945-1969. He died on their National Day, September 2, 1969

2. His death was not announced until 48 hours later to avoid spoiling National Day festivities.

3. Vietnam is the world’s leading exporter of cashew nuts and black pepper.

4. From 1954 to 1975, more than three million people were killed in the Vietnam War including 58,000 Americans.

5. Vietnam has never won a gold or bronze medal at the Olympics but has two silvers.

6. Gongs are used to call children to school in Vietnam.

7. A Vietnamese speciality is ruou ran, a rice wine with a pickled snake in it that is said to cure all illnesses.

8. From August 2006 to March 2007, the Vietnamese dong was the world’s lowest valued currency unit. It is now ahead of the Iranian rial.

9. From the 10th-20th century, Vietnam issued round coins with a square hole in the middle.

10. Around 38 per cent of Vietnamese people have the surname Nguyen (pronounced as “win”).