The Human Truth Foundation

Vietnam (Socialist Republic of Vietnam)

http://www.humantruth.info/vietnam.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2013

#vietnam

Vietnam
Socialist Republic of Vietnam
StatusIndependent State
Social and Moral Index83rd best
CapitalHanoi
Land Area 310 070km21
LocationAsia
Population95.5m2
Life Expectancy73.62yrs (2017)3
GNI$7 867 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 CodesVN, VNM, 7045
Internet Domain.vn6
CurrencyDong (VND)7
Telephone+848

1. Overview

#france #vietnam

The conquest of Vietnam by France began in 1858 and was completed by 1884. It became part of French Indochina in 1887. Vietnam declared independence after World War II, but France continued to rule until its 1954 defeat by communist forces under Ho Chi MINH. Under the Geneva Accords of 1954, Vietnam was divided into the communist North and anti-communist South. US economic and military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973. Two years later, North Vietnamese forces overran the South reuniting the country under communist rule. Despite the return of peace, for over a decade the country experienced little economic growth because of conservative leadership policies, the persecution and mass exodus of individuals - many of them successful South Vietnamese merchants - and growing international isolation. However, since the enactment of Vietnam's "doi moi" (renovation) policy in 1986, Vietnamese authorities have committed to increased economic liberalization and enacted structural reforms needed to modernize the economy and to produce more competitive, export-driven industries. The communist leaders, however, maintain control on political expression and have resisted outside calls to improve human rights. The country continues to experience small-scale protests from various groups - the vast majority connected to land-use issues, calls for increased political space, and the lack of equitable mechanisms for resolving disputes. Various ethnic minorities, such as the Montagnards of the Central Highlands and the Khmer Krom in the southern delta region, have also held protests.

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)9

Book CoverAstonishingly exotic and utterly compelling, Vietnam is a country of breathtaking natural beauty with an incredible heritage that quickly becomes addictive. Unforgettable experiences are everywhere in Vietnam. There´s the sublime: gazing over a surreal seascape of limestone islands from the deck of a Chinese junk in Halong Bay. The ridiculous: taking 10 minutes just to cross the street through a tsunami of motorbikes in Hanoi. The inspirational: exploring the world´s most spectacular cave systems in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. The comical: watching a moped loaded with honking pigs weave a wobbly route along a country lane. And the contemplative: witnessing a solitary grave in a cemetery of tens of thousands of war victims.

You´ll witness children riding buffalo, see the impossibly intricate textiles of hill-tribe communities and taste the super-fresh and subtle flavours of Vietnamese cuisine.

The nation is a budget traveller´s dream, with inexpensive transport, outstanding street food, good-value accommodation and bia hoi - perhaps the world´s cheapest beer.

This is a dynamic nation on the move. Prepare yourself for the ride of your life.

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)10

2. Vietnam National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
Value11
1Switzerland0.962
2Norway0.961
3Iceland0.959
...
112=Lebanon0.706
112=Gabon0.706
114Indonesia0.705
115Vietnam0.703
116Philippines0.699
117Botswana0.693
118=Bolivia0.692
118=Kyrgyzstan0.692
Asia Avg0.75
World Avg0.72
q=191.
Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.Higher is better
PPP $11
1Liechtenstein$146 830
2Singapore$90 919
3Qatar$87 134
...
119Bolivia$8 111
120Uzbekistan$7 917
121Cuba$7 879
122Vietnam$7 867
123Laos$7 700
124Swaziland$7 679
125Morocco$7 303
126Tonga$6 822
Asia Avg$22 215
World Avg$20 136
q=193.
Social & Moral
Development Index
12
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank12
1Norway28.6
2Denmark30.0
3Sweden30.7
...
80Jordan80.7
81Belarus81.4
82Andorra81.4
83Vietnam81.5
84Jamaica81.9
85Philippines82.2
86Grenada83.2
87San Marino84.0
Asia Avg87.7
World Avg86.8
q=195.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Vietnam's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population

Population:

Vietnam's population is predicted to rise to 101.48 million by 2030. This rise is despite a low fertility rate, meaning, that this country is helping to alleviate problems with growing population in neighbouring countries by accepting immigrants, very likely as a requirement of maintaining an active workforce. This country has a fertility rate of 1.77. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population is growing, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity, i.e., the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate, which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1.

Population2
Pos.2018
Population2
1China1.4b
2India1.4b
3USA327.1m
...
12Ethiopia109.2m
13Philippines106.7m
14Egypt98.4m
15Vietnam95.5m
16Congo, DR84.1m
17Germany83.1m
18Turkey82.3m
19Iran81.8m
World Avg39.0m
q=195.
Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
75Lithuania73.7
76Cuba73.7
77Ecuador73.7
78Vietnam73.6
79Latvia73.6
80Mauritius73.6
81Palestine73.5
82N. Korea73.3
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
13
Pos.201313
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
34Brazil1.80
35Guyana2.21
36Netherlands1.79
37Vietnam1.77
38Lebanon1.77
39Mexico2.25
40Sri Lanka2.26
41Armenia1.74
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Old-Age Dependency Ratio
Lower is better
14
Pos.2016
Per 10014
1Uganda04.3
2Mali04.5
3=Chad04.7
...
109Panama17.7
110N. Korea17.8
111Turkey18.0
112Vietnam18.3
113Tunisia18.6
114Azerbaijan18.7
115Colombia18.8
116Antigua & Barbuda19.0
World Avg18.3
q=185.

Migration:

Immigrants15
Pos.2017
%15
1UAE88.4%
2Kuwait75.5%
3Qatar65.2%
...
188N. Korea0.2%
189Sri Lanka0.2%
190Myanmar (Burma)0.1%
191Madagascar0.1%
192Indonesia0.1%
193Cuba0.1%
194Vietnam0.1%
195China0.1%
World Avg9.4%
q=195.
Emigrants16
Pos.2010
%16
1Dominica104.8%
2Palestine68.4%
3Samoa67.3%
...
145Costa Rica2.7%
146Rwanda2.6%
147Pakistan2.5%
148Vietnam2.5%
149Niger2.4%
150Argentina2.4%
151Cambodia2.3%
152Uganda2.2%
World Avg11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance #vietnam

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2020)17
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank17
1Sweden9.0
2Norway14.5
3Denmark14.5
...
97Tunisia91.6
98China91.8
99Kenya92.4
100Vietnam92.7
101Thailand93.3
102Niger93.8
Asia Avg99.9
World Avg87.9
q=199.
Vietnam is generally poor at ensuring human rights and freedom compared to the rest of the world. Vietnam comes in the best 20 in its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice18 (one of the lowest in Asia). It does better than average in LGBT equality19, opposing gender inequality20 and in speed of uptake of HR treaties21. But, things could still be better. Vietnam does worse than average for the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)22 (still good for Asia), commentary in Human Rights Watch reports23 (still good for Asia), supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms24, its nominal commitment to Human Rights25 and in freethought26. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 for supporting press freedom27. Vietnam does not permit independent political parties, labor unions or human rights organizations28. "Vietnam´s human rights situation seriously deteriorated in 2017. Police arrested at least 21 people for sweeping “national security” offenses that are used to punish critical speech and peaceful activism"28. Police brutality, sometimes involves deaths in custody, remains a problem28.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

5. Vietnam's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #vaccines #Vietnam

Compared to Asia (2020)29
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank29
1Hong Kong18.3
2Maldives41.0
3Singapore42.6
...
29=Tajikistan83.1
30Turkey84.5
31Jordan84.8
32Vietnam85.4
33Pakistan88.5
34=Mongolia90.6
35Kyrgyzstan91.0
36Cambodia93.3
37Lebanon95.4
Asia Avg80.1
q=50.
Health (2020)29
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank29
1Monaco13.0
2Hong Kong18.3
3Maldives41.0
...
69Jordan84.8
70Barbados85.1
71Estonia85.3
72Vietnam85.4
73=Trinidad & Tobago86.6
73=Grenada86.6
75Kiribati87.0
76Algeria87.3
World Avg93.5
q=196.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Hong Kong and The Maldives30. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are The Marshall Islands, S. Sudan and Palau30.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean30, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Australasia and Africa30.

For more, see:

Health:

Vietnam has some poor policies and cultural issues which cause some public health problems. Vietnam does better than average when it comes to its fertility rate13, its average life expectancy11 and in its adolescent birth rate20 (but bad for Asia). Vietnam doesn't do so well in other areas. Vietnam does worse than average in its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance31, its immunizations take-up32, its alcohol consumption rate33 and in its smoking rate34. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Vietnam improved by +4.9yrs in the 30 years from 1990, less than the global average of +7.9yrs.

Life Expectancy
Higher is better
11
Pos.2021
Years11
1Monaco85.9
2Hong Kong85.5
3Japan84.8
...
75Lithuania73.7
76Cuba73.7
77Ecuador73.7
78Vietnam73.6
79Latvia73.6
80Mauritius73.6
81Palestine73.5
82N. Korea73.3
Asia Avg73.48
World Avg71.28
q=195.
Alcohol Consumption
Lower is better
33
Pos.2016
Per Capita33
1Bangladesh0.0
2Kuwait0.0
3Libya0.0
...
126=Ivory Coast8.4
126=Botswana8.4
126=Trinidad & Tobago8.4
126=Vietnam8.4
130Ukraine8.6
131Netherlands8.7
132=Croatia8.9
132=Cameroon8.9
Asia Avg3.9
World Avg6.2
q=189.
Fertility Rate
2.0 is best
13
Pos.201313
1N. Korea2.00
2Brunei1.99
3St Vincent & Grenadines2.01
...
34Brazil1.80
35Guyana2.21
36Netherlands1.79
37Vietnam1.77
38Lebanon1.77
39Mexico2.25
40Sri Lanka2.26
41Armenia1.74
Asia Avg2.46
World Avg2.81
q=180.
Smoking Rates
Lower is better
34
Pos.201434
1Guinea 15
2Solomon Islands 26
3Kiribati 28
...
131Canada1 154
132Albania1 177
133Egypt1 188
134Vietnam1 215
135Iraq1 227
136Spain1 265
137Malta1 266
138Philippines1 291
Asia Avg1 035
World Avg 819
q=182.
Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance
Lower is better
31
Pos.2017
Rank31
1Sweden1
2Ireland2
3Denmark3
...
96Namibia96
97Guyana97
98Colombia98
99Vietnam99
100Lesotho100
101Tanzania101
102Equatorial Guinea102
103Barbados103
Asia Avg64.4
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Overweight Adults
Lower is better35
Pos.2016
%35
1Vietnam18.3
2India19.7
3Bangladesh20.0
4Ethiopia20.9
5Nepal21.0
6Timor-Leste (E. Timor)21.6
7Cambodia21.7
8=Niger22.0
8=Eritrea22.0
10Burundi22.2
11Uganda22.4
12Afghanistan23.0
Asia Avg44.3
World Avg49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate
Lower is better
20
Pos.2015
Per 100020
1N. Korea0.5
2S. Korea1.6
3Switzerland2.9
...
88Romania34.6
89Bulgaria37.7
90Tajikistan38.1
91Vietnam38.6
92Pakistan38.7
93Haiti39.3
94Syria39.4
95Kyrgyzstan39.6
Asia Avg29.9
World Avg47.9
q=185.
Infant Immunizations 2011-2015
Higher is better
32
Pos.2015
Avg %32
1=Hungary99.0
1=China99.0
3Uzbekistan98.9
...
102=El Salvador92.4
102=Swaziland92.4
104Palau92.4
105Vietnam92.3
106Denmark92.3
107Azerbaijan92.2
108=Australia92.1
108=Barbados92.1
Asia Avg90.5
World Avg88.3
q=194.

6. Vietnam's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #food #meat #over-exploitation #sustainability #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Asia (2023)36
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank36
1Japan33.2
2Philippines45.0
3Sri Lanka49.0
...
19Cyprus79.3
20Iran82.6
21Hong Kong83.3
22Vietnam83.8
23Mongolia84.8
24China85.2
25Cambodia90.0
26Thailand90.4
27Syria91.0
Asia Avg88.8
q=51.
Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)36
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank36
1Japan33.2
2Philippines45.0
3Uruguay48.0
...
93=Tanzania83.5
93=Sudan83.5
95Bolivia83.8
96Vietnam83.8
97Mongolia84.8
98China85.2
99Panama85.3
100Slovenia85.5
World Avg85.7
q=188.
Vietnam comes 96th in the world when it comes to its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is calculated from 7 data sets. Vietnam comes in the best 20 in its forested percent change 1990-201537 (amongst the highest in Asia). It does better than average for the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population38 and in how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. But, there's bad news too. Vietnam does worse than average for its score on the Green Future Index39, energy to GDP efficiency40, annual meat consumption per person41 and in its environmental performance42.

Forest Area Change 1990-2015
Higher is better
37
Pos.2015
%37
1Iceland+205.6
2Bahrain+144.4
3Uruguay+131.3
4Kuwait+81.2
5Dominican Rep.+79.5
6Egypt+65.9
7Vietnam+65.6
8Ireland+62.2
9Tunisia+61.9
10Cuba+56.9
11Cape Verde+55.7
12Rwanda+50.9
Asia Avg+07.0
World Avg+02.8
q=184.
Environmental Performance
Higher is better
42
Pos.201842
1Switzerland87.4
2France84.0
3Denmark81.6
...
129Tajikistan47.9
130Kenya47.3
131Bhutan47.2
132Vietnam47.0
133Indonesia46.9
134Guinea46.6
135Mozambique46.4
136Uzbekistan45.9
Asia Avg54.5
World Avg56.4
q=180.
Energy to GDP Efficiency
Higher is better40
Pos.201440
1Hong Kong26.32
2Sri Lanka20.00
3Panama17.86
...
81Cambodia07.35
82Nigeria07.30
83Georgia07.25
84Vietnam07.14
85Saudi Arabia07.04
86Honduras06.80
87Bulgaria06.54
88Qatar06.49
Asia Avg09.14
World Avg09.29
q=119.
Convention on Biological Diversity
Earlier is better
Pos.0
Signed
1=China1993 Dec 29
1=Guinea1993 Dec 29
1=Cook Islands1993 Dec 29
...
96San Marino1995 Jan 26
97Swaziland1995 Feb 07
98Zimbabwe1995 Feb 09
99Vietnam1995 Feb 14
100Switzerland1995 Feb 19
101Argentina1995 Feb 20
102Myanmar (Burma)1995 Feb 23
103Colombia1995 Feb 26
Asia Avg1899 Dec 30
World Avg1899 Dec 30
q=197.
Rational Beliefs on the Environment
Higher is better38
Pos.2011
%38
1Argentina78.3%
2Greece77.6%
3Brazil77.1%
...
40Dominican Rep.50.2%
41Thailand49.9%
42Italy49.6%
43Vietnam49.1%
44Honduras48.1%
45Iran47.9%
46Turkey47.4%
47Sudan46.9%
Asia Avg37.9%
World Avg39.9%
q=145.
Meat Consumption
Lower is better
41
Pos.2021
kg41
1Congo, DR03.0
2Burundi03.5
3Bangladesh04.3
...
90Ecuador50.9
91Albania52.0
92Kiribati52.4
93Vietnam52.6
94Dominican Rep.53.5
95Peru54.0
96Mauritius54.2
97Saudi Arabia55.1
Asia Avg46.7
World Avg52.5
q=185.
Green Future Index
Higher is better39
Pos.2023
Score39
1Iceland6.7
2Finland6.7
3Norway6.4
...
51Nigeria4.2
52Ecuador4.1
53=Kazakhstan4.1
53=Vietnam4.1
55Thailand4.1
56Saudi Arabia4.1
57Kuwait4.1
58Ethiopia4.0
Asia Avg4.3
World Avg4.8
q=76.

Vietnam has done the least to reduce its carbon emissions recently, according to the 2023 edition of the Green Futures Index43.

7. Vietnam's Modernity and Learning

#education #english #intelligence #it_security #maths #modernity #politics #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Asia (2020)44
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank44
1Taiwan10.0
2Japan21.9
3=S. Korea24.0
...
15China61.9
16Kazakhstan63.3
17Georgia65.1
18Vietnam67.1
19Armenia70.0
20=Azerbaijan70.1
21Iran71.7
22Kyrgyzstan71.8
23Thailand72.9
Asia Avg79.0
q=51.
Modernity & Learning (2020)44
Pos.Lower is better
Avg Rank44
1Finland8.4
2Taiwan10.0
3Switzerland15.1
...
68Monaco64.5
69Georgia65.1
70Montenegro66.0
71Vietnam67.1
72Grenada68.5
73Costa Rica68.9
74Bermuda69.0
75Trinidad & Tobago69.1
World Avg83.2
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development
Higher is better
Pos.2016
% RDP PPP
1S. Korea4.2945
2Israel4.1145
3Japan3.5845
...
90=Nigeria0.2246
91Azerbaijan0.2147
92Burkina Faso0.2048
93Vietnam0.1949
94=Panama0.1849
94=Mauritius0.1850
96Oman0.1747
97=Kazakhstan0.1747
Asia Avg0.75
World Avg0.84
q=126.
Secondary Education
Higher is better
51
Pos.201851
1=Luxembourg100.0%
1=Estonia100.0%
1=Austria100.0%
...
76UAE70.7%
77Brunei70.1%
78Iran69.8%
79Vietnam69.4%
80Venezuela69.2%
81Qatar67.5%
82Mauritius66.9%
83Oman66.4%
Asia Avg66.0%
World Avg63.0%
q=169.
Length of Schooling
Higher is better
52
Pos.2021
Years52
1Australia21.1
2New Zealand20.3
3Greece20.0
...
110Belize13.0
111Paraguay13.0
112Gabon13.0
113Vietnam13.0
114Togo13.0
115Bahamas12.9
116Nepal12.9
117St Lucia12.9
Asia Avg13.5
World Avg13.5
q=193.
Intellectual Endeavours
Lower is better
31
Pos.2017
Rank31
1Ukraine1
2Czechia2
3Hungary3
...
125Brunei125
126Ivory Coast126
127Kuwait127
128Vietnam128
129Azerbaijan129
130Bangladesh130
131Mongolia131
132Haiti132
Asia Avg97.1
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Maths, Science & Reading
Higher is better
53
Pos.2015
Score53
1Singapore1655
2Hong Kong1598
3Japan1586
...
18=Denmark1513
19Poland1511
20Belgium1508
21=Vietnam1507
21=Australia1507
23UK1499
24Portugal1491
25=France1487
Asia Avg1398
World Avg1389
q=70.
Religiosity
Lower is better
54
Pos.2018
%54
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
18=S. Korea16
18=Russia16
20Australia18
21=Vietnam18
22Bulgaria19
23=Norway19
24Netherlands20
25=Italy21
Asia Avg55.8
World Avg54.3
q=106.
IQ
Higher is better55
Pos.200655
1=Hong Kong108
1=Singapore108
3S. Korea106
...
39=Portugal95
39=Israel95
41Kazakhstan94
42=Vietnam94
42=Armenia94
42=Romania94
42=Georgia94
46Argentina93
Asia Avg90.4
World Avg85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users
Higher is better
56
Pos.201656
1Iceland100%
2Faroe Islands99%
3Norway98%
...
92Maldives54%
93Georgia53%
94China52%
95=Vietnam52%
95=S. Africa52%
97Dominican Rep.52%
98Uzbekistan51%
99Armenia50%
Asia Avg48.7%
World Avg48.1%
q=201.
Freedom On The Internet
Lower is better
57
Pos.201257
1Estonia10
2USA12
3Germany15
...
37Belarus69
38=Bahrain71
38=Saudi Arabia71
40Vietnam73
41=Ethiopia75
41=Myanmar (Burma)75
43Uzbekistan77
44Syria83
Asia Avg56.6
World Avg46.7
q=47.
IT Security
Lower is better
58
Pos.201358
1=Ireland0.11
1=Luxembourg0.11
1=Belize0.11
...
48Mali1.12
49France1.13
50Italy1.15
51Vietnam1.15
52Nigeria1.18
53Mauritania1.19
54Azerbaijan1.21
55Belarus1.22
Asia Avg1.08
World Avg0.98
IPv6 Uptake
Higher is better
59
Pos.2017
Ratio59
1Belgium55.4
2Germany41.8
3Switzerland35.1
...
28Hungary7.4
29Guatemala6.9
30Saudi Arabia6.8
31Vietnam5.9
32Slovenia5.4
33Bolivia5.0
34Macau4.2
35Singapore4.0
Asia Avg2.11
World Avg3.82
q=176.

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

On the Corruption Index, Vietnam scored on average 31.4 over the 2012-2016 period. Over the 10 years since then, it improved by 10.6 points.

World Giving Index
Higher is better
60
Pos.2022
%60
1Indonesia68.0
2Kenya61.0
3USA59.0
...
43=Kyrgyzstan44.0
43=Mexico44.0
43=Costa Rica44.0
46Vietnam43.0
47=Iran43.0
47=Kosovo43.0
47=Bolivia43.0
47=Ghana43.0
Asia Avg37.9
World Avg39.6
q=125.
Corruption
Higher is better
61
Pos.2022
Points61
1Denmark90.0
2=Finland87.0
2=New Zealand87.0
...
75Benin43.0
76=Ghana43.0
77Timor-Leste (E. Timor)42.0
78=Vietnam42.0
78=Trinidad & Tobago42.0
78=Burkina Faso42.0
78=Solomon Islands42.0
78=Kuwait42.0
Asia Avg39.98
World Avg42.98
q=180.
Happiness
Higher is better
62
Pos.2018
Score62
1Finland7.6
2Norway7.6
3Denmark7.6
...
92Kyrgyzstan5.1
93Bosnia & Herzegovina5.1
94Mongolia5.1
95Vietnam5.1
96Indonesia5.1
97Bhutan5.1
98Somalia5.0
99Cameroon5.0
Asia Avg5.29
World Avg5.38
q=156.
Creativity & Culture
Lower is better
31
Pos.2017
Rank31
1Belgium1
2Netherlands2
3Estonia3
...
99El Salvador99
100Nicaragua100
101Russia101
102Vietnam102
103Armenia103
104Ghana104
105Bahrain105
106Ecuador106
Asia Avg99.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Open Trading, Aid & Development
Lower is better
31
Pos.2017
Rank31
1Ireland1
2Denmark2
3Sweden3
...
85Saudi Arabia85
86Azerbaijan86
87Uganda87
88Vietnam88
89Central African Rep.89
90Botswana90
91Guinea-Bissau91
92Burundi92
Asia Avg86.3
World Avg82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index
Lower is better
63
Pos.2023
Score63
1Iceland1.12
2Denmark1.31
3Ireland1.31
...
37UK1.69
38Macedonia1.71
39Costa Rica1.73
40=Vietnam1.75
40=Albania1.75
42Botswana1.76
43S. Korea1.76
44Mongolia1.77
Asia Avg2.17
World Avg2.07
q=163.
Peacekeeping & Security
Lower is better
31
Pos.2017
Rank31
1Samoa1
2S. Africa2
3Tunisia3
...
56Mauritius56
57Zambia57
58Romania58
59Vietnam59
60Malawi60
61Brazil61
62Grenada62
63Kenya63
Asia Avg76.0
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Refugees & UN Treaties
Lower is better
31
Pos.2017
Rank31
1Austria1
2Germany2
3Netherlands3
...
155Congo, DR155
156Ivory Coast156
157St Lucia157
158Vietnam158
159Laos159
160Equatorial Guinea160
161Fiji161
162Tonga162
Asia Avg92.2
World Avg82.0
q=163.
Impact of Terrorism
Lower is better
64
Pos.2019
Score64
1Togo0.00
2Mongolia0.00
3Swaziland0.00
...
50Denmark0.96
51Guinea0.97
52Honduras0.99
53=Vietnam1.00
53=Montenegro1.00
55Taiwan1.01
56Laos1.03
57Armenia1.17
Asia Avg3.60
World Avg2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy
Lower is better65
Pos.201965
1Iceland2.40
2=Singapore2.50
2=Hong Kong2.50
...
98Cape Verde12.20
99El Salvador12.50
100Suriname12.80
101Vietnam12.90
102=Syria13.00
102=Morocco13.00
104Nicaragua13.10
105=Mongolia13.10
Asia Avg11.80
World Avg14.59
q=184.
Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient)
Lower is better66
Pos.2017
%66
1Ukraine25.0
2=Belarus25.4
2=Slovenia25.4
...
54Cyprus34.0
55Latvia34.2
56Niger34.3
57=Vietnam35.3
57=Burkina Faso35.3
57=Liberia35.3
60Sudan35.4
61=Italy35.4
Asia Avg35.2
World Avg38.1
q=152.
Multidimensional Poverty
Lower is better67
Pos.2018
Severity67
1Armenia.001
2Ukraine.001
3Serbia.001
...
27Ecuador.018
28Jamaica.018
29Paraguay.019
30Vietnam.019
31Egypt.019
32Colombia.020
33Philippines.024
34Mexico.025
Asia Avg.084
World Avg.154
q=101.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation #vietnam

Religiosity (2018)54
Pos.Lower is better
%54
1China3
2Estonia6
3Czechia7
...
18=S. Korea16
18=Russia16
20Australia18
21=Vietnam18
22Bulgaria19
23=Norway19
24Netherlands20
25=Italy21
25=Belarus21
27Ireland22
28=Kazakhstan22
28=Spain22
30Slovakia23
31=Ukraine23
32Canada27
33=Uzbekistan29
World Avg54.3
q=106.
Disbelief In God (2007)68
Pos.Higher is better
%68
1Vietnam81
2Japan65
3Sweden64
4Czechia61
5Estonia49
6Denmark48
7France44
8Belgium43
9=Netherlands42
9=Germany42
9=UK42
12Cuba40
13Slovenia35
14Bulgaria34
15Hungary32
16Norway31
17S. Korea30
18Finland28
19Russia27
20Australia25
World Avg9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below69:

Christian8.2%
Muslim0.2%
Hindu0.1%
Buddhist16.4%
Folk Religion45.3%
Jewish0.1%
Unaffiliated29.6%

It appears that when asked "What religion are you" many give pollsters the 'correct' answer despite how they actually feel, and despite what they actually believe. Although 70.3% of the populace say they belong to a religion, only 18% say that they are religious when the question is phrased as "Is religion an important part of your daily life?".

For more on this phenomenon, see:

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Buddhist 9.3%, Catholic 6.7%, Hoa Hao 1.5%, Cao Dai 1.1%, Protestant 0.5%, Muslim 0.1%, none 80.8% (1999 census)70.

Freedom of Religion and Belief: The government attempts to strictly control religious activity and pressurizes all its citizens to only participate in state-sanctioned events and organisations, and "sometimes violently cracks down on religious groups operating outside government-controlled institutions. Unrecognized branches of the Cao Dai church, Hoa Hao Buddhist church, independent Protestant and Catholic house churches, Khmer Krom Buddhist temples, and the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam face constant surveillance"28.

Links: