Animals and Plants
The forests of Vietnam
Forest extends over a quarter of the country in Vietnam. This used to be different, when two thirds of the country was forest. In the northwest there are primarily coniferous forests, but tropical rainforest, monsoon forest and mangrove forest also grow in Vietnam. The vegetation is also very different due to the different climatic zones. Vietnam stretches far from north to south.
Since many of Vietnam’s forests are threatened by environmental degradation, wildlife is also threatened. Parts of the forest were cut down and converted into agricultural land. The Vietnamese often cut down the valuable wood as firewood. In doing so, they destroy their own livelihood.
The legacy of the severe destruction in the Vietnam War is still visible today. There are areas in which nothing grows at all or only very poorly because the Americans scattered poison here during the war.
Vietnam is home to wild animals
Vietnam is the home of the tiger. However, only a few tigers still live in Vietnam. The population of Asian elephants was also pushed back, as was that of the Java rhinos. Only a few were able to survive in Vietnam, and if so, only in sheltered areas of retreat. Tapirs, bears, many species of monkeys, snakes and other reptiles live in the existing forest regions. Many bird and insect species also have their home in Vietnam.
Rescue for threatened species
There is also a special rescue station for endangered primates in Vietnam, the first in Asia by the way. Here, for example, langurs, robed monkeys (they really are called that!) And gibbons are protected. Vietnam is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, but poaching is a threat to wildlife.
Economy
Post war economic problems
According to directoryaah, the many wars in Vietnam severely destroyed the country. Both the Indochina War against France and the Vietnam War brought destruction and devastation. The country was in ruins. In addition, there was a trade boycott in the USA and other countries. The country’s economy fared very badly after the war, that is, after 1975.
In the end, the Communist Party of Vietnam, which held the leadership in the country, didn’t know what to do other than to finally introduce reforms. From 1986 onwards, a private economy was also allowed, before the economy was controlled by the state through a planned economy. The new market economy reforms were called Doi Moi politics. A radical change has been taking place in Vietnam since the early 1990s.
Bad working conditions and low wages
Vietnam today produces important industrial goods and delivers cell phones and computers all over the world, but also clothing. By the way, many well-known German companies have their goods made in Vietnam, especially textile companies.
The wages in Vietnam are now cheaper than in other Asian countries, so the companies go to Vietnam, including Chinese companies, by the way, they can produce more cheaply in Vietnam. Many people in Vietnam are young and looking for work. But this work is often not qualified, but work in the factories. The companies are happy about the cheap employees who, however, often have to work in Vietnam under similarly poor conditions as in Bangladesh.
Rich in rice
But 50 out of 100 people work in agriculture. Vietnam is the second largest rice exporter in the world. Rice can be harvested once or twice a year in North Vietnam. The warm, humid climate in the south is even more suitable for growing rice and, in contrast to the north, there are even three harvests.
But other products such as pepper, coffee, tea, rubber and cotton are also important agricultural products. Vietnam exports large quantities, but doesn’t get that much money for it. Much is still done by hand and few machines are used. The government is trying to change that.
And also?
The fishing is another major industry in Vietnam. The fish is also exported to other countries, especially the pangasius. It swims in the rivers of Vietnam, but is also bred in aquacultures.
Vietnam also has natural resources that are very important to a country. These include hard coal and lignite, various ores, but also crude oil and natural gas.
