Land and People
Located in the centre of Southeast Asia Vietnam is on the Pacific Rim and shares borders with China in the North Laos and Cambodia in the West. The country is naturally divided into three regions with different geographical and climatic conditions - the north (Bac Bo) the central (Trung Bo) and the south (Nam Bo). Most of the land is covered by mountains and tropical forests but flatlands along the coast belt are fertile and two big river deltas Red River in the north and Mekong River in the south make up the two "Rice Bowls" of Vietnam.

With humid and warm weather all around the year Vietnam has two climates four seasons with a distinct winter in the North and the tropical climate with a dry and a rainy season in the South and the Central Regions. Average rainfall is 2300 mm.

Vietnam population is 77 million (1997) and expected to reach to 80 million by the year 2000 of which over half is under 25 years of age and over 80 percent is under 40 years of age. The literacy rate is approximately 90%. The labour source is considered as one of the most attractive aspects of the country's investment environment.

Vietnam has significant potential in energy resources (oil gas coal and hydroelectric power ) and very rich in other mineral s such as bauxite ironore copper precious stones tin chromate apatite and buildin g materials (granite marble clay silica sand and graphite). This mineral wealth together with significant marine resources tropical forests and agricultural products gives Vietnam high potential prospects for future economic development.

The State Organisation Structure
The National Assembly is the Supreme State Authority and the single legislative body which selects the country 's President and Prime Minister. The State Government consist s of 17 ministries and 12 ministerial agencies.

The whole country is divided into 61 administrative provinces and cities under direct control of the State Government. Provinces are divided into provincial capital; towns and districts that are further divided into ward and villages. Local People's Councils who have the duty to maintain respect for the laws and decide local economic and social development plans and budgets are elected by the local population. Local People's Committees are the executive bodies of local People's Councils and act as local administrative bodies whose members (including chairman and vice- chairman) are selected by the People's Councils at the same level.