Overview

1.1 Geography

1.1.1 Red River Delta

The Red River Delta region includes 10 provinces and centrally-run cities Hà Nội, Hải
Phòng, Hải Dương, Bắc Ninh, Vĩnh Phúc, Hưng Yên, Thái Bình, Nam Định, Hà Nam,
Ninh Bình.

The Red River Delta is the gateway in the East Sea to the world. The Red River Delta
stretches from latitude 21°34´B (Lập Thành district) to the alluvial area about 19°5´B
(Kim Son district), from 105°17´Đ (Ba Vì district) to 107°7´Đ (on Cát Bà island). The
whole region has an area of over 14860 km², accounting for about 4.5% of the total area
of the country.

The north and northeast are the Northeast (Vietnam), the west and the southwest are
the Northwest, the east is the Gulf of Tonkin and the south is the North Central region.
The plain gradually lowers from the Northwest to the Southeast, from the ancient alluvial
terraces 10 - 15m down to the alluvial flats 2 - 4m in the center and the tidal flats daily
are still flooded with tidal water.

1.1.2 Hà Nội

Located northwest of the center of the Red River Delta, Hanoi is located from 20°53 'to
21°23' North latitude and 105°44 'to 106°02' East longitude, continued bordering the
provinces of Thái Nguyên, Vĩnh Phúc in the North, Hà Nam, Hòa Bình to the South, Bắc
Giang, Bắc Ninh and Hưng Yên to the East, Hòa Bình and Phú Thọ in the West.

Hanoi capital has four poles:

- The North Pole is Bắc Sơn commune, Sóc Sơn district.

- The Western Pole is Thuận Mỹ commune, Ba Vì district.
- The South Pole is Hương Sơn commune, Mỹ Đức district.
The East Pole is Lê Chi commune, Gia Lâm district
 1.2 Topography

Red River Delta

As the name of the region is, the Red River has been associated for thousands of
generations with the inhabitants of this delta. The topography of the region is relatively
flat, with an altitude of 0.4 - 12m above sea level. In addition, the topography also has a
number of hilly areas with limestone karsts along the southwest and northeastern flanks.

 Hà Nội:
 The average altitude of Hà Nội is from 5 to 20 meter above sea level, high
hills and mountains are concentrated in the North and West. The highest peaks
are Ba Vì 1,281 meters; Gia Dê 707 meters; Chân Chim 462 meters; Thanh
Lanh is 427 meters and Thiên Trù is 378 meters ... The inner city has a
number of low hills, such as Đống Đa mound and Nùng mountain..

Area of land used for distribution (332889,0 ha)

- Land for agriculture, forestry and fisheries: 188601,1 ha

- Non-agricultural land: 134947.4 ha
- Unused land: 9,340.5 ha

1.3 Climate

1.3.1 Red River Delta

Characteristics of climate in Red River Delta are diversified according to terrains

and seasons. Winter in this region lasts from October to April. It is also the dry
season. In spring, it is drizzling and cold. Meanwhile, summer and autumn in this
region is portrayed by high temperature and humidity. Climatic conditions of the
region facilitate the development of agriculture.
The weather in Red River Delta is different from that in other plain regions. This
is the only region in Vietnam has a real winter with three months having the
average temperature below 18°C. Thus, there is a form of humid subtropical
climate with four distinct seasons. Moreover, climate in this region is erratic with
cold and wet northeast monsoon, resulting hot and humid monsoon in summer. It
is very cold in high mountains in winter, but cool in summer. Coastal areas are
described by mild climate with abundant humidity which is adapted to the
development of tropical flora and fauna. Moreover, these places will be ideal
attractions for traveling all four seasons. The hottest period in summer runs from
May to September, which facilitates development of marine tourism in Ha Long
Bay, Cat Ba Island and Do Son Beach.
1.3.2 Hà Nội

Hà Nội is located in a tropical monsoon climate

Hà Nội has 4 distinct seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. But to help
visitors from far away, it can be divided into two main seasons: the dry season and the
rainy season. The dry season is from October to April next year, this is a cold period, the
rain is not large. From January to March, it is still cold, but because of spring, there is a
light rain or spring rain. From May to September is the hot season with heavy rains and
storms, the average rainfall is 1,800 mm and each year there are about 114 rainy days.

1.4 Transportation

The system of highways has the North-South expressway; Highway Hà Nội – Hải
Phòng, expressway Hà Nội – Lào Cai and is building the expressway Ninh Bình – Hải
Phòng – Quảng Ninh.

The system of national highways with National Highway 1A through Vietnam,

intercity road Hà Nội – Hưng Yên, also known as road 39B, highway 5A linking Hà Nội
to Hải Phòng through the provinces, Hà Nội, Hưng Yên, Hải Dương, Hải Phòng, New
expressway 5B Hà Nội – Hải Phòng going through the provinces, Hà Nội, Hưng Yên,
Hải Dương, Hải Phòng; Highway 10 linking Ninh Bình to Hải Phòng, Highway 18
linking Hà Nội – Bắc Ninh – Hải Dương; Highway 39 from Nội Hưng Yên street to
Diêm Điền port; Highway 21 linking Hà Nam to Thịnh Long, Highway 21B linking Hà
Nội – Hà Nam – Nam Định – Ninh Bình, Highway 38 linking Bắc Ninh to Hà Nam going
through Hưng Yên; Highway 38B connects Hải Dương to Ninh Bình, Highway 45
connecting Ninh Bình – Thanh Hóa, other highways such as National Highway 2,
National Highway 3, National Highway 6, National Highway 32, Highway 35, National
Highway 37, National Highway 37B, National Highway 37C, National Highway 17 …
North – South railway line and discharge to other cities; Nội Bài international airport, Cát
Bi airport.
 1.5 Religion and beliefs

Under the dark ages of foreign invader’s ruled, the people of Việt Nam lived in pain and agony.
When our country regain independence, a certain uncertainty still exist until today, pushing the
necessity to be saved by some supernatural force, called gods

During the Ngô, Đinh, Lê, Lý, Buddhism and Taoism are heavily worshipped.

The citizen of Thăng Long worshipped many gods who protected the people’s land.
There are also ceremonies for heroes at pagodas, shrines and temples, attracting many
visitors every year to come to these grands and majestic worshipping grounds.

Hà Nội now has 7 religious State recognizes the legal status personnel : Buddhist
teachings , Catholic , Protestant, Cao Dai, Islamic teachings , Baha'i and Master religion;
simultaneously, exists in some current object religious others.

Buddhism: the number of followers is about 800,000. Religious activities at 2,059

temples and monasteries.

Catholic: has about 250,000 adherents. Working in 400 places of worship, 83 parishes,
306 parishes. Hanoi has 19 religious communities with over 270 monks, religious
activities in 20 monasteries.

Protestant: there are 33 denominations and more than 10,000 adherents.

CaoDai religion : nearly 400 adherents.

Islam: has about 800 followers.

Baha'i: there are 15 local Spiritual Assemblies, with more than 400 adherents.

Master Dao: 50 adherents.