General

Vietnam is situated along the Southeast margin of the Indo-Chinese peninsula. It stretches from latitudes 8.50 north to 23.8 north with the coastline of approximately 3,200 km and a land area of about 330 thousand km2. The country’s land borders are 1,150 km long with China, 1,650 km with Laos and 950 km with Cambodia. Three-quarters of the country consist of mountains and hills. The midlands (hills) region, which comprises about one-third of the country, lies between the mountainous highlands. The remaining areas (one-quarter) include the fertile plains formed by 15 major rivers. The major rivers are the Mekong, with a drainage basin of 72,300km2 and the Red River of 60,960 km2 within Vietnam. The plain areas of the Mekong River Delta (MRD) in the south and the Red River Delta (RRD) in the north, with about 1.300 km between them, are the major agricultural areas and centre of population (ref.1). Two hubs Vietnam: the state capital of Hanoi in the North and the commercial centre of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) in the South.

Climate

The Northern Mountains and Midland region: 9.8 million ha (30% of the country area) and comprises overall a large area for poor, infertile, degraded soils in mountains, plateau’s and hilly midland. Elevation ranges 1000-3140m above sea level. The wet season occurs from mid-April to early November. Mean annual rainfall varies from 1600-2500mm. The region is cold from December to March where temperate climate vegetables and fruit can be planted the year round. The population of this region is 11 million.

Sa Pa is situated in this region, at an altitude of 1640m. The annual rainfall here is 2780mm. The average temperature is 15,7 degrees. Tropical and subtropical flowers can be grown here, as well as temperate climate flower varieties, as the temperature is Relatively low in Sa Pa. The Moc Chau plateau is on an altitude of 900-1100 m. and the annual rainfall in this area is 1600mm. The average temperature is 19-21 degrees. The thick cultivated layer soil is good to grow temperate, subtropical and tropical plants and flowers. The Tam Dao – Vinh Phuc region also has a good position, as it is near to the Red River Delta and not far from Hanoi City and Hai Phong seaport. The altitude of this region is 800 – 1000 m., the annual rainfall is 2600mm and the average temperature is 18 degrees.

Central highland: around 5.5 million ha (16.6% of the country’s area). Average annual rainfall is 2280 mm. The average annual temperature is 21-230C. The main agricultural products are rice, maize, vegetables and tropical fruit. Da Lat plateau in the Southern central highlands, on an altitude of 1500m, has a long tradition and experience in floriculture. It is a light sloping soil with a thick cultivated layer, rich in humus and very fertile. This condition is very good to develop temperate climate flowers and tropical orchids. In order to succeed, it is essential to invest in high technology, new varieties and a good infrastructure.

Population

In 1999, Vietnam’s population reached 77.8 million, making it the 13th most populous country in the world. Eighty-four per cent of the population is ethnic Vietnamese, 2% is ethnic-Chinese and the rest is made up of Khmers, Chams and members of over 50 ethno-linguistic groups.

Vietnam has an average population density of 225 persons per square kilometer; one of the world’s highest for an agricultural country. Much of the Red River Delta has a population density of 1000 people per square kilometers or more. Life expectancy is ca. 66 years and infant mortality is 48 per 1000. The rate of population growth is 2.1% per year and, until recently ideology prevented any effective family planning.
In the following figure 1.2, you see the division of the Vietnamese population by different ages. It is clear that the Vietnamese population is very young; more than 50% of Vietnam’s population is under the age of 25.

Education

Compared with other Third World countries, Vietnam’s population is very well educated. Vietnam’s literacy rate is estimated at 82%, although official figures put even higher (+/- 95%).

In comparison with other Asian countries, English is, especially in the cities, well spoken in Vietnam. The young generation in Vietnam is very keen to be educated and willing to learn.