10 Interesting Facts About Vietnam – The Fastest Growing Economy in South-East Asia

Here are some amazing facts about Vietnam!

1. Vietnam’s economic development over the past 30 years has been remarkable. With an average GDP growth rate of 6.5% over the last few years, it is one of the fastest growing economies in the world.

2. Vietnam is the largest exporter of cashew nuts and black pepper in the world with one-third of the global production.

3. The world’s largest cave, that is Hang Son Doong, is located in this country. What is interesting is that this cave was accidentally discovered by a local farmer looking for shelter from the near future flash floods.

4. Vietnam has an annual event known as Love Market which is a place for ex-lovers where people come to meet their lovers whom they could not get married to because of personal reasons. You might want to check out a philosophical point as well on why do we love?

5. A strange type of drink, known as the Snake Wine is served in Vietnam. A somewhat popular drink, it is made by putting a snake or scorpion in a bottle and then pouring rice wine on top of it. If you visit, this is a must try drink.

6. According to ancient Vietnamese folklore, Vietnamese people are descendants of dragons. The dragon is therefore a mythological figure the Vietnamese worship. It is also believed the dragon brings rain, which is needed for the large areas of agricultural land in the country.

7. The turtle is an important symbol in Vietnamese society and is considered lucky. Said to symbolise intelligence, strength and longevity, Vietnamese people relate the turtle with victories and gaining independence after the influx of invaders at various stages in history.

8. Vietnam is a nation of football fans. In a survey, 80% of Vietnamese people said they would choose to watch the World Cup instead of go to work!

9. There are an estimated 7.4 million motorbikes on the roads of Ho Chi Minh City alone, and that number is climbing every year with an estimated 45 million country-wide. This means that there is a motorbike for every other person in Vietnam and, practically, that’s a lot of bikes. In the major cities, bikes make up 90% of vehicles on the roads and yet it was only in the last 4 years that the government have made it compulsory to wear a helmet!

10. There is no legal drinking age in Vietnam. You can drink as long as you get alcohol. No ID check is required to purchase liquor at any age. Now, this may be the reason contributing to the fact that Vietnam is the third-largest beer consumer in Asia, behind only Japan and China, consuming about three billion litres annually.

Well, that was all for Vietnam, hope you found the blog resourceful!

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