Vietnam

Landscape

Vietnam is long and relatively narrow, with mountains and plateaus beside coastal plains. The Red River Delta occupies the north, while the Mekong Delta spreads across the far south. Central areas often have only a narrow lowland strip between mountains and sea.

Ha Long Bay contains limestone islands shaped by erosion and changing sea levels. The Mekong Delta is a very different landscape of channels, low islands and farmland. Upland regions add forested slopes and elevated agricultural plateaus.

Climate & seasons

The south is tropical, while the north has greater seasonal temperature differences. Monsoon rainfall and mountain terrain produce different wet seasons across the country.

Water & coast

Monsoon rainfall, river flow and coastal storms shape life in many regions. Delta land is particularly sensitive to flooding, sediment supply and saltwater intrusion. Mountain catchments and lowland water systems are closely linked.