Facts about Vietnam

By Christina

306

The Burning Monk

• In 1897 a boy was born, and grew up in to becoming a monk.

• His name was Quang Duc, he was monk that believed in Mahayana Buddhism.

• Quang Duc was a monk, that was protesting persecution of Buddhist by South Vietnamese government.

• Quang Duc burn himself is a busy street of Saigon, photos that have been took spread quickly.

• At that time, President John f. Kennedy said "No news picture in history has generated so much emotion around the world as that one.”

• After his death, some monks followed his path by burning themselves as well.

• Quang’s body was re-cremated but his heart was still intact and it did not burn, so it was considered to be holy.

• too bewildered to even think…As he burned he never moved a muscle, never uttered a sound, his outward composure in sharp contrast to the wailing people around him.”

• This quote right here was said by David Halberstam, a reporter the was there that time. “I was to see that sight again, but once was enough. Flames were coming from a human being; his body was slowly withering and shriveling up, his head blackening and charring. In the air was the smell of burning human flesh; human beings burn surprisingly quickly, Behind me I could hear the sobbing of the Vietnamese who were now gathering. I was too shocked to cry, too confused to take notes or ask questions”

Fun facts about Vietnam

• The common last name in Vietnam is Nguyen.

• The Vietnamese language has six different tones to it.

• Vietnam is the largest exporter of cashews in the world, and the second largest eporter of rice in the world.

• Vietnamese people keep potbelly pigs as pets.

Saigon

• Saigon is the largest city in Vietnam.

• Saigon real name is Ho Chi Minh City Ho.

• Saigon started out as a small fishing village, that was called Prey Nokor, “Forest City”.

• Ho Chi Minh City Hall was built in 1902-1908,build in a French colonial style for the Saigon City.

Ho Chi Minh City Hall is not opened to the public or tourists.

Củ Chi tunnels

• Cu Chi tunnels were used during the Vietnam War.

• When the American soldiers were living in the tunnels, they called it ”Black Echo” because of the living conditions.

• The tunnel was being used for the soldiers that were hiding or resting from war.

• When the soldiers were in the tunnel, it was infested with ants, poisonous centipedes, scorpions, spiders and vermin. Air, food and water were every scarce, normally at night that’s when the soldiers come out of the tunnels. Sickness was very common in the tunnels because soldiers had to stay there for days.

History of Vietnam

First, the Vietnam War was the longest war that was ever recorded in the United state history. One of the reasons why the war started was that the South Vietnam communist promise and commitments to the people, that they won’t get taking over by the communist forces.

• There are more names for the war, in America its called The Vietnam War. It has also been called Second Indochina War and The Vietnam Conflict. How the Vietnamese called it was Kháng chiến chống Mỹ meaning by “The Resistance War Against America”

Hoàn Kiếm Lake

• Hoàn Kiếm Lake is located in Hanoi.

• The name of the lake means “Lake of the Returned Sword” or “Lake of the Restored Sword”. According to the legend, the emperor at that time was boating the lake, when the Turtle God came to the surface and ask for his magic sword.

• There are large, soft shell turtles that have been seen near the lake.

• This Bay is popular for the tourists, and is visited very often.

• The meaning of the name means “descending dragon bay”.

• According to the legend, when Vietnam started to become a country, they needed to fight off invaders. So the Gods sent down a family of dragons as the protectors.

Hạ Long Bay

• The family of dragons decided to spilt up, and spitting up jewels all over the island. These jewels became other islands, surrounding the bay and to protect it from invaders. Under magic, numerous rock mountains came up from the sea floor and so they can destroy the invaders ships. After the battle ended, the dragons decided to go see the world and enjoy it’s peace.

• Climate is tropical, wet sea islands, it has two seasons; hot and moist summer. Its about 15 °C- 25 °C, and rainfall is between 2 meters and 2.2 meters.

• The bay is located in northeastern Vietnam,E106°56' to E107°37' and from N20°43' to N21°09‘.

Fun facts about Vietnam

• Right now there are 92 million people that live in Vietnam.

• Hanoi is the second largest city in Vietnam. The population is about 6.5 million.

• The largest city right now is Saigon. The population right now is under 7.5 million.

• The Vietnamese worship a number of cultures. Such as the Vietnamese Dragon, The Lac, The Turtle, and The horse.

• Vietnamese foods are a blend with Chinese and Thai food.

• Vietnamese food is consider to be one of the heathiest foods in the world.

• Vietnamese food mostly contains, fresh vegetables, fish, fruits, seafood, and rice.

• Soccer is very popular in Vietnam.

• Other sport interest is table tennis, volley ball, badminton, and martial arts.

• Vietnam shares a border with China to the North.

• http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/countries/vietnam.html

• http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/sciencefacts/countries/vietnam.html

• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hanoi

• http://www.travelingeast.com/asia/vietnam/ten-interesting-facts-about-vietnam/