The world's largest coffee producers are Brazil (2.44 million tons per year), Vietnam (1.17 million tons), and Colombia (0.88 million tons). Coffee appeared in Vietnam in the 19th century thanks to French colonists. By the end of the 20th century. Vietnam became the second largest coffee producer in the world after Brazil. In Vietnam mainly Robusta is grown but also Arabica and the world's most expensive coffee - Kopi Luwak. ¹⁾

The Red River flows through Hanoi. The water in the river actually has a red hue due to the large amounts of red silt. ²⁾

Ho Chi Minh is the largest city in Vietnam. As Saigon, it was the capital of the French colony of Kochinchina, and later (from 1955 to 1975) of the Republic of South Vietnam. After the capture of the city by North Vietnamese forces, it was renamed in honor of the communist leader. ³⁾

Agent Orange was used during the Vietnam War as part of Operation Ranch Hand (1961 - 1971). It resulted in the discharge of approximately 10 million gallons of this substance. It belongs to the group of rainbow herbicides. It is a strong defoliant. It destroys broadleaf plants, vegetable crops, shrubs, and deciduous trees. It causes leaf drop and withering of young tree shoots after about 3-4 weeks. About 8 million people were exposed to it and 400,000 were maimed and killed. The potent dioxin, TCDD, was responsible for its toxicity. Monsanto produced this herbicide with Dow Chemicals. ⁴⁾

Pagoda of the Celestial Lady (Thiên Mụ) is a historic temple in the city of Hue, Vietnam. It is an iconic seven-story pagoda considered an unofficial symbol of the city. It was built in 1601, commissioned by Nguyễn Hoang, considered the founder of the Nguyen dynasty and southern Vietnam. In 2013, its 400th anniversary was celebrated in Hue. ⁵⁾

The country's currency is the dong. Vietnamese banknotes are printed on plastic film with transparent elements, while coins have been used much less since 2012 until 2014 they stopped being accepted in retail payments (they are still accepted in some banks). ⁶⁾

The highest peak in Vietnam and, by the way, in the whole of Indochina is Mount Fansipan (10,326 ft), located not far from the charming town of Sa Pa. ⁷⁾

The current flag of Vietnam was adopted in 1976 as a civil and military flag. A gold five-pointed star is placed in the center of the red background. The red color refers to the revolution and the bloodshed by the Vietnamese people, while the star refers to the Communist Party. ⁸⁾

The Happiness Index identifies the happiest countries in the world, they are Vietnam, Costa Rica, Colombia, Belize, and El Salvador. ⁹⁾

In every bigger or smaller Vietnamese city motorcycles and mopeds reign on the streets. Statistically, each family owns at least two such vehicles. ¹⁰⁾

It is noisy on Vietnamese streets, this will be a very mild statement. The Vietnamese driving their vehicles quite often abuse the horn. ¹¹⁾

Ngueyen surname is carried by about 40% of Vietnamese - it is a result of a long reign of the Ngueyen dynasty, which gave its surname to meritorious people. ¹²⁾

During the Vietnam War, Vietcong soldiers observed that Americans walking down the road often kicked empty Coca-Cola cans. After some time, they decided to place makeshift explosive charges inside them. ¹³⁾

The most popular Vietnamese soup is Pho, being in this country you can taste it practically in every place - better restaurants or just on street stalls. There are two types - with chicken (Pho Ga) and with beef (Pho Bo). ¹⁴⁾

One of the more popular drinks that can be purchased in bazaars is a wine with a sunken snake. Called “snake wine,” the beverage is actually wine made from rice, and the snake is submerged in the last stage of production. Sometimes during drinking, some parts of the reptile, such as the stomach or eyeballs are eaten by the drinker. According to the Vietnamese, this wine has healing properties. ¹⁵⁾

Being in Vietnam, you can notice a stall with Banh mi at every step. It is nothing else than a kind of Vietnamese baguette. It is stuffed with carrots, radishes, cucumbers, bell peppers, coriander, pâté, and, at your choice, eggs, grilled pork, or chicken. ¹⁶⁾

Hang Son Doong is the largest cave in the world. It was discovered relatively recently, in 1991. Its interior could accommodate several skyscrapers. ¹⁷⁾

In the center of Da Nang is a bridge in the shape of a dragon, which in the evenings breathes fire. ¹⁸⁾