Vietnam (Socialist Republic of Vietnam)

Vietnam Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	92nd best
Capital	Hanoi
Land Area	310 070km21
Location	Asia
Population	95.5m2
Life Expectancy	73.62yrs (2017)3
GNI	$7 867 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	VN, VNM, 7045
Internet Domain	.vn6
Currency	Dong (VND)7
Telephone	+848

1. Overview
2. Vietnam National and Social Development
3. Vietnam's Demographics and Migration
4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Vietnam's Health
6. Vietnam's Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Vietnam's Modernity and Learning
8. National Culture
9. Peace Versus Instability
10. Economic Inequality and Poverty
11. Religion and Beliefs
12. Links

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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military aid to South Vietnam grew through the 1960s in an attempt to bolster the government, but US armed forces were withdrawn following a cease-fire agreement in 1973.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

“Astonishingly 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
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
112=	Lebanon	0.706
112=	Gabon	0.706
114	Indonesia	0.705
115	Vietnam	0.703
116	Philippines	0.699
117	Botswana	0.693
118=	Bolivia	0.692
118=	Kyrgyzstan	0.692
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $11
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
119	Bolivia	$8 111
120	Uzbekistan	$7 917
121	Cuba	$7 879
122	Vietnam	$7 867
123	Laos	$7 700
124	Swaziland	$7 679
125	Morocco	$7 303
126	Tonga	$6 822
	Asia Avg	$22 215
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index12
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank12
1	Denmark	27.4
2	Norway	27.6
3	Sweden	30.4
	...
89	Qatar	85.4
90	Fiji	85.9
91	Kuwait	86.3
92	Vietnam	86.4
93	Mongolia	86.8
94	Dominican Rep.	86.9
95	Russia	87.7
96	St Lucia	88.0
	Asia Avg	92.0
	World Avg	89.7
q=198.

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 #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

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 1.94. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - 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 (two new children for each set of parents who die), 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. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₃

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
12	Ethiopia	109.2m
13	Philippines	106.7m
14	Egypt	98.4m
15	Vietnam	95.5m
16	Congo, DR	84.1m
17	Germany	83.1m
18	Turkey	82.3m
19	Iran	81.8m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
75	Lithuania	73.7
76	Cuba	73.7
77	Ecuador	73.7
78	Vietnam	73.6
79	Latvia	73.6
80	Mauritius	73.6
81	Palestine	73.5
82	N. Korea	73.3
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
8	Sri Lanka	1.97
9	Faroe Islands	2.05
10	Bangladesh	1.95
11	Vietnam	1.94
12	Georgia	2.06
13	Tunisia	2.06
14	Lebanon	2.08
15	Kuwait	2.09
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better15
Pos.		2016 Per 10015
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
109	Panama	17.7
110	N. Korea	17.8
111	Turkey	18.0
112	Vietnam	18.3
113	Tunisia	18.6
114	Azerbaijan	18.7
115	Colombia	18.8
116	Antigua & Barbuda	19.0
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration:

Immigrants16
Pos.		2017 %16
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
188	N. Korea	0.2%
189	Sri Lanka	0.2%
190	Myanmar (Burma)	0.1%
191	Madagascar	0.1%
192	Indonesia	0.1%
193	Cuba	0.1%
194	Vietnam	0.1%
195	China	0.1%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants17
Pos.		2010 %17
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
145	Costa Rica	2.7%
146	Rwanda	2.6%
147	Pakistan	2.5%
148	Vietnam	2.5%
149	Niger	2.4%
150	Argentina	2.4%
151	Cambodia	2.3%
152	Uganda	2.2%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

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

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	8.5
2	Denmark	13.5
3	Norway	13.5
	...
112	Guyana	97.5
113	Uganda	97.8
114	China	98.2
115	Vietnam	98.9
116	Tanzania	99.3
117	St Lucia	99.6
	Asia Avg	103.0
	World Avg	87.8
q=200.

Vietnam is very poor at ensuring human rights and freedom compared to the rest of the world, and it has cultural issues when it comes to tolerance and equality. Vietnam comes in the best 20 in its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₁₉ (amongst the lowest in Asia). It does better than average for LGBT equality₂₀ and in opposing gender inequality₂₁. However Vietnam performs less well in most areas. It does worse than average in the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₂₂ (still low for Asia), commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₃ (still good for Asia), eliminating modern slavery₂₄, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₅, its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₆, freethought₂₇ and in its average Freedom in the World rating. And finally, it falls into the worst-performing 20 in supporting press freedom₂₈. Vietnam does not permit independent political parties, labor unions or human rights organizations₂₉. "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"₂₉. Police brutality, sometimes involves deaths in custody, remains a problem₂₉.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights and Freedom in Vietnam

5. Vietnam's Health

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

Compared to Asia (2020)30
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank30
1	Maldives	41.7
2	Sri Lanka	43.1
3	Malaysia	53.1
	...
22	Iran	76.4
23	Turkey	78.0
24	Uzbekistan	78.4
25	Vietnam	80.8
26	Armenia	81.5
27	UAE	82.5
28	Israel	85.4
29	Turkmenistan	85.4
30	Cambodia	86.6
	Asia Avg	80.9
q=50.

Health (2020)30
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank30
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Maldives	41.7
3	Sri Lanka	43.1
	...
40	Nicaragua	79.1
41	France	79.5
42	Eritrea	80.7
43	Vietnam	80.8
44	Armenia	81.5
45	Belgium	81.6
46	Italy	81.9
47	Netherlands	82.1
	World Avg	95.1
q=198.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, The Maldives and Sri Lanka₃₁. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, The Marshall Islands and Nigeria₃₁.

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 Mediterranean₃₁, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Australasia₃₁.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

Vietnam has some poor policies and cultural issues which cause some public health problems. Vietnam comes in the best 20 in terms of its fertility rate₁₄. It does better than average when it comes to its average life expectancy₁₁ and in its adolescent birth rate₂₁ (but bad for Asia). But, things still need to improve in Vietnam. Vietnam does worse than average for its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₂, its immunizations take-up₃₃, its alcohol consumption rate₃₄ and in its smoking rate₃₅. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% during the past 40 years. Life expectancy in Vietnam improved by +4.9yrs in the 30 years from 1990, less than the global average of +7.9yrs. Vietnam is amongst only 41 countries who have seen their fertility rate drop by more than 4 since the 1960s. Its peak fertility rate was 6.39 in 1963.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
75	Lithuania	73.7
76	Cuba	73.7
77	Ecuador	73.7
78	Vietnam	73.6
79	Latvia	73.6
80	Mauritius	73.6
81	Palestine	73.5
82	N. Korea	73.3
	Asia Avg	73.48
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better34
Pos.		2016 Per Capita34
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
126=	Ivory Coast	8.4
126=	Botswana	8.4
126=	Trinidad & Tobago	8.4
126=	Vietnam	8.4
130	Ukraine	8.6
131	Netherlands	8.7
132=	Croatia	8.9
132=	Cameroon	8.9
	Asia Avg	3.9
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
8	Sri Lanka	1.97
9	Faroe Islands	2.05
10	Bangladesh	1.95
11	Vietnam	1.94
12	Georgia	2.06
13	Tunisia	2.06
14	Lebanon	2.08
15	Kuwait	2.09
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking Rates Lower is better35
Pos.		201435
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
131	Canada	1 154
132	Albania	1 177
133	Egypt	1 188
134	Vietnam	1 215
135	Iraq	1 227
136	Spain	1 265
137	Malta	1 266
138	Philippines	1 291
	Asia Avg	1 035
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
96	Namibia	96
97	Guyana	97
98	Colombia	98
99	Vietnam	99
100	Lesotho	100
101	Tanzania	101
102	Equatorial Guinea	102
103	Barbados	103
	Asia Avg	64.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better36
Pos.		2016 %36
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
4	Ethiopia	20.9
5	Nepal	21.0
6	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	21.6
7	Cambodia	21.7
8=	Niger	22.0
8=	Eritrea	22.0
10	Burundi	22.2
11	Uganda	22.4
12	Afghanistan	23.0
	Asia Avg	44.3
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better21
Pos.		2015 Per 100021
1	N. Korea	0.5
2	S. Korea	1.6
3	Switzerland	2.9
	...
88	Romania	34.6
89	Bulgaria	37.7
90	Tajikistan	38.1
91	Vietnam	38.6
92	Pakistan	38.7
93	Haiti	39.3
94	Syria	39.4
95	Kyrgyzstan	39.6
	Asia Avg	29.9
	World Avg	47.9
q=185.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better33
Pos.		2015 Avg %33
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
102=	El Salvador	92.4
102=	Swaziland	92.4
104	Palau	92.4
105	Vietnam	92.3
106	Denmark	92.3
107	Azerbaijan	92.2
108=	Australia	92.1
108=	Barbados	92.1
	Asia Avg	90.5
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

6. Vietnam's Responsibility Towards The Environment

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

Compared to Asia (2023)37
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank37
1	Japan	33.2
2	Philippines	45.0
3	Sri Lanka	49.0
	...
19	Cyprus	79.3
20	Iran	82.6
21	Hong Kong	83.3
22	Vietnam	83.8
23	Mongolia	84.8
24	China	85.2
25	Cambodia	90.0
26	Thailand	90.4
27	Syria	91.0
	Asia Avg	88.8
q=51.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)37
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank37
1	Japan	33.2
2	Philippines	45.0
3	Uruguay	48.0
	...
93=	Tanzania	83.5
93=	Sudan	83.5
95	Bolivia	83.8
96	Vietnam	83.8
97	Mongolia	84.8
98	China	85.2
99	Panama	85.3
100	Slovenia	85.5
	World Avg	85.7
q=188.

Vietnam ranks 96th in the world in terms of its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is calculated from 7 data sets. Vietnam comes in the best 20 in its forested percent change 2000-2020₃₈. It does better than average for the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₃₉ and in how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. But, there's bad news too. Vietnam does worse than average in its score on the Green Future Index₄₀, energy to GDP efficiency₄₁, reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₂ and in its environmental performance₄₃.

Environmental Performance Higher is better43
Pos.		201843
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
129	Tajikistan	47.9
130	Kenya	47.3
131	Bhutan	47.2
132	Vietnam	47.0
133	Indonesia	46.9
134	Guinea	46.6
135	Mozambique	46.4
136	Uzbekistan	45.9
	Asia Avg	54.5
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Higher is better41
Pos.		201441
1	Hong Kong	26.32
2	Sri Lanka	20.00
3	Panama	17.86
	...
81	Cambodia	07.35
82	Nigeria	07.30
83	Georgia	07.25
84	Vietnam	07.14
85	Saudi Arabia	07.04
86	Honduras	06.80
87	Bulgaria	06.54
88	Qatar	06.49
	Asia Avg	09.14
	World Avg	09.29
q=119.

Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better
Pos.		Total Signed
1=	China	1993 Dec 29
1=	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
1=	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
	...
96	San Marino	1995 Jan 26
97	Swaziland	1995 Feb 07
98	Zimbabwe	1995 Feb 09
99	Vietnam	1995 Feb 14
100	Switzerland	1995 Feb 19
101	Argentina	1995 Feb 20
102	Myanmar (Burma)	1995 Feb 23
103	Colombia	1995 Feb 26
	Asia Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 Dec 30
q=197.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better39
Pos.		2011 %39
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
40	Dominican Rep.	50.2%
41	Thailand	49.9%
42	Italy	49.6%
43	Vietnam	49.1%
44	Honduras	48.1%
45	Iran	47.9%
46	Turkey	47.4%
47	Sudan	46.9%
	Asia Avg	37.9%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better42
Pos.		2021 kg42
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
90	Ecuador	50.9
91	Albania	52.0
92	Kiribati	52.4
93	Vietnam	52.6
94	Dominican Rep.	53.5
95	Peru	54.0
96	Mauritius	54.2
97	Saudi Arabia	55.1
	Asia Avg	46.7
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

Green Future Index Higher is better40
Pos.		2023 Score40
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
	...
51	Nigeria	4.2
52	Ecuador	4.1
53=	Kazakhstan	4.1
53=	Vietnam	4.1
55	Thailand	4.1
56	Saudi Arabia	4.1
57	Kuwait	4.1
58	Ethiopia	4.0
	Asia Avg	4.3
	World Avg	4.8
q=76.

Vietnam has done the least to reduce its carbon emissions recently, according to the 2023 edition of the Green Futures Index₄₅.

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)46
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank46
1	Taiwan	10.0
2	Japan	21.0
3	S. Korea	23.6
	...
15	Uzbekistan	61.7
16	Kazakhstan	62.8
17	Georgia	66.0
18	Vietnam	67.5
19	Azerbaijan	69.4
20	Armenia	70.2
21	Thailand	70.4
22	Qatar	71.4
23	India	72.4
	Asia Avg	78.3
q=51.

Modernity & Learning (2020)46
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank46
1	Finland	7.7
2	Taiwan	10.0
3	Switzerland	14.7
	...
69	Georgia	66.0
70	Montenegro	66.3
71	Uruguay	66.8
72	Vietnam	67.5
73	Costa Rica	68.0
74=	Peru	68.5
74=	Grenada	68.5
76	Bermuda	69.0
	World Avg	82.7
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2947
2	Israel	4.1147
3	Japan	3.5847
	...
90=	Nigeria	0.2248
91	Azerbaijan	0.2149
92	Burkina Faso	0.2050
93	Vietnam	0.1951
94=	Panama	0.1851
94=	Mauritius	0.1852
96	Oman	0.1749
97=	Kazakhstan	0.1749
	Asia Avg	0.75
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Secondary Education Higher is better53
Pos.		201853
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
76	UAE	70.7%
77	Brunei	70.1%
78	Iran	69.8%
79	Vietnam	69.4%
80	Venezuela	69.2%
81	Qatar	67.5%
82	Mauritius	66.9%
83	Oman	66.4%
	Asia Avg	66.0%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better54
Pos.		2021 Years54
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
110	Belize	13.0
111	Paraguay	13.0
112	Gabon	13.0
113	Vietnam	13.0
114	Togo	13.0
115	Bahamas	12.9
116	Nepal	12.9
117	St Lucia	12.9
	Asia Avg	13.5
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
125	Brunei	125
126	Ivory Coast	126
127	Kuwait	127
128	Vietnam	128
129	Azerbaijan	129
130	Bangladesh	130
131	Mongolia	131
132	Haiti	132
	Asia Avg	97.1
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Maths, Science & Reading Higher is better55
Pos.		2015 Score55
1	Singapore	1655
2	Hong Kong	1598
3	Japan	1586
	...
18=	Denmark	1513
19	Poland	1511
20	Belgium	1508
21=	Vietnam	1507
21=	Australia	1507
23	UK	1499
24	Portugal	1491
25=	France	1487
	Asia Avg	1398
	World Avg	1389
q=70.

Religiosity Lower is better56
Pos.		2018 %56
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
18=	S. Korea	16
18=	Russia	16
20	Australia	18
21=	Vietnam	18
22	Bulgaria	19
23=	Norway	19
24	Netherlands	20
25=	Italy	21
	Asia Avg	55.8
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better57
Pos.		200657
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
39=	Portugal	95
39=	Israel	95
41	Kazakhstan	94
42=	Vietnam	94
42=	Armenia	94
42=	Romania	94
42=	Georgia	94
46	Argentina	93
	Asia Avg	90.4
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better58
Pos.		201658
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
92	Maldives	54%
93	Georgia	53%
94	China	52%
95=	Vietnam	52%
95=	S. Africa	52%
97	Dominican Rep.	52%
98	Uzbekistan	51%
99	Armenia	50%
	Asia Avg	48.7%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

Freedom On The Internet Lower is better59
Pos.		201259
1	Estonia	10
2	USA	12
3	Germany	15
	...
37	Belarus	69
38=	Bahrain	71
38=	Saudi Arabia	71
40	Vietnam	73
41=	Ethiopia	75
41=	Myanmar (Burma)	75
43	Uzbekistan	77
44	Syria	83
	Asia Avg	56.6
	World Avg	46.7
q=47.

IT Security Lower is better60
Pos.		201360
1=	Ireland	0.11
1=	Luxembourg	0.11
1=	Belize	0.11
	...
48	Mali	1.12
49	France	1.13
50	Italy	1.15
51	Vietnam	1.15
52	Nigeria	1.18
53	Mauritania	1.19
54	Azerbaijan	1.21
55	Belarus	1.22
	Asia Avg	1.08
	World Avg	0.98

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better61
Pos.		2017 Ratio61
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
28	Hungary	7.4
29	Guatemala	6.9
30	Saudi Arabia	6.8
31	Vietnam	5.9
32	Slovenia	5.4
33	Bolivia	5.0
34	Macau	4.2
35	Singapore	4.0
	Asia Avg	2.11
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better62
Pos.		202462
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
68	Montenegro	44.9%
69	Morocco	44.8%
70	Mexico	44.6%
71	Vietnam	44.2%
72	Armenia	43.9%
73	Belarus	43.5%
74	Georgia	43.4%
75	Dominican Rep.	43.4%
	Asia Avg	46.4%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

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 better63
Pos.		2022 %63
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
43=	Kyrgyzstan	44.0
43=	Mexico	44.0
43=	Costa Rica	44.0
46	Vietnam	43.0
47=	Iran	43.0
47=	Kosovo	43.0
47=	Bolivia	43.0
47=	Ghana	43.0
	Asia Avg	37.9
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better64
Pos.		2022 Points64
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
75	Benin	43.0
76=	Ghana	43.0
77	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	42.0
78=	Vietnam	42.0
78=	Trinidad & Tobago	42.0
78=	Burkina Faso	42.0
78=	Solomon Islands	42.0
78=	Kuwait	42.0
	Asia Avg	39.98
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Happiness Higher is better65
Pos.		2018 Score65
1	Finland	7.6
2	Norway	7.6
3	Denmark	7.6
	...
92	Kyrgyzstan	5.1
93	Bosnia & Herzegovina	5.1
94	Mongolia	5.1
95	Vietnam	5.1
96	Indonesia	5.1
97	Bhutan	5.1
98	Somalia	5.0
99	Cameroon	5.0
	Asia Avg	5.29
	World Avg	5.38
q=156.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
99	El Salvador	99
100	Nicaragua	100
101	Russia	101
102	Vietnam	102
103	Armenia	103
104	Ghana	104
105	Bahrain	105
106	Ecuador	106
	Asia Avg	99.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
85	Saudi Arabia	85
86	Azerbaijan	86
87	Uganda	87
88	Vietnam	88
89	Central African Rep.	89
90	Botswana	90
91	Guinea-Bissau	91
92	Burundi	92
	Asia Avg	86.3
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

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

Global Peace Index Lower is better66
Pos.		2023 Score66
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
37	UK	1.69
38	Macedonia	1.71
39	Costa Rica	1.73
40=	Vietnam	1.75
40=	Albania	1.75
42	Botswana	1.76
43	S. Korea	1.76
44	Mongolia	1.77
	Asia Avg	2.17
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
56	Mauritius	56
57	Zambia	57
58	Romania	58
59	Vietnam	59
60	Malawi	60
61	Brazil	61
62	Grenada	62
63	Kenya	63
	Asia Avg	76.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better32
Pos.		2017 Rank32
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
155	Congo, DR	155
156	Ivory Coast	156
157	St Lucia	157
158	Vietnam	158
159	Laos	159
160	Equatorial Guinea	160
161	Fiji	161
162	Tonga	162
	Asia Avg	92.2
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better67
Pos.		2019 Score67
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
50	Denmark	0.96
51	Guinea	0.97
52	Honduras	0.99
53=	Vietnam	1.00
53=	Montenegro	1.00
55	Taiwan	1.01
56	Laos	1.03
57	Armenia	1.17
	Asia Avg	3.60
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

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

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better68
Pos.		201968
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
98	Cape Verde	12.20
99	El Salvador	12.50
100	Suriname	12.80
101	Vietnam	12.90
102=	Syria	13.00
102=	Morocco	13.00
104	Nicaragua	13.10
105=	Mongolia	13.10
	Asia Avg	11.80
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better69
Pos.		2023 %69
1	Slovakia	24.1%70
2	Slovenia	24.3%70
3	Belarus	24.4%71
	...
90=	China	35.7%70
90=	Sierra Leone	35.7%72
90=	Mali	35.7%70
93	Vietnam	36.1%73
94=	Indonesia	36.1%74
95	Senegal	36.2%70
96=	Lithuania	36.7%70
96=	Yemen	36.7%75
	Asia Avg	33.0%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

Multidimensional Poverty Lower is better76
Pos.		2018 Severity76
1	Armenia	.001
2	Ukraine	.001
3	Serbia	.001
	...
27	Ecuador	.018
28	Jamaica	.018
29	Paraguay	.019
30	Vietnam	.019
31	Egypt	.019
32	Colombia	.020
33	Philippines	.024
34	Mexico	.025
	Asia Avg	.084
	World Avg	.154
q=101.

11. Religion and Beliefs

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

Religiosity (2018)56
Pos.		Lower is better %56
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
18=	S. Korea	16
18=	Russia	16
20	Australia	18
21=	Vietnam	18
22	Bulgaria	19
23=	Norway	19
24	Netherlands	20
25=	Italy	21
25=	Belarus	21
27	Ireland	22
28=	Kazakhstan	22
28=	Spain	22
30	Slovakia	23
31=	Ukraine	23
32	Canada	27
33=	Uzbekistan	29
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Disbelief In God (2007)77
Pos.		Higher is better %77
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
4	Czechia	61
5	Estonia	49
6	Denmark	48
7	France	44
8	Belgium	43
9=	Netherlands	42
9=	Germany	42
9=	UK	42
12	Cuba	40
13	Slovenia	35
14	Bulgaria	34
15	Hungary	32
16	Norway	31
17	S. Korea	30
18	Finland	28
19	Russia	27
20	Australia	25
	World Avg	9.9
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 below₇₈:

Christian	8.2%
Muslim	0.2%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	16.4%
Folk Religion	45.3%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	29.6%

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:

• "Institutionalized Religions Have Their Numbers Inflated by National Polls" by Vexen Crabtree

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)₇₉.

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"₂₉.

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?
• Human Rights and Freedom in Vietnam: 4.3. Freedom of Thought