The Socialist Republic of Vietnam is located on the Eastern portion of the Indochinese peninsula.  Its unique “S” shape winds along the Gulf of Tonkin leading into the South China Sea.  Vietnam is bordered by Cambodia, Laos, and China.  Also close are Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia.

The Vietnamese are a diverse population.  Eighty-seven percent of Vietnam's 87 million people are ethnic Vietnamese.  The rest of the population consists of Mon-Khmer, Thai-Dai, Hmong/Mien, Sino-Tibetan, and Malayo-Polyneasian, representing 79 ethno-linguistic groups, each with its own culture and language.  The majority of the people live in rural regions along the coastal plain and the Red and Mekong river deltas.  The largest cities are Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, each with a population of 4 million or more.  Warfare, both civil and invasions by outside forces, has marked national life for many years.  Only in very recent years has the economy improved as a market-based economy attracts outside investors.  However there is still much poverty in rural areas.  Vietnam is the second largest rice exporter in the world.

About 80% of the Vietnamese claim no religious adherence, but most Vietnamese practice ancestor worship and animism.  "New" religions are growing in number of adherents.  Less than 10 percent are practicing Christians, most being Roman Catholics. Vietnam is opening up to agencies able to offer assistance in solving social problems.