All you need to know about Vietnam

Here are a few facts about Vietnam that may surprise you!

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✓ In Chinese, 'Viet' means 'people outside China' and 'Nam' means south. While we use them both combined today, they were also separate words in ancient Vietnamese. 'Viet' actually referred to fairies and dragons, and as such many people in Vietnam believe they have descended from these mythical creatures.

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✓ Vietnam is known as the 'King of Cashews', given they produce a staggering 55% of the world's supply, to the tune of a cool $2 billion per year. 30% of the world's supply of black pepper also comes from Vietnam and the country is the second largest exporter of coffee behind Brazil.

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✓ New Year's is celebrated on the same day as the Chinese New Year in Vietnam. It is known as 'Tet' and is one of the most popular festivals in South Asia.

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✓ People in Vietnam really like motorcycles. In fact, there are over 60 million in the country, with 2 out of every 3 households owning one. In comparison there are just 2 million cars!

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✓ Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam's very first president, can be viewed at his mausoleum in Hanoi. Since his death in 1969, he was embalmed and is on display from January to September every year. 

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✓ Snake Wine is a hugely popular drink in Vietnam said to have many health benefits, although most claims are unproven. It is usually made by drowning the snake alive and we are yet to try it. Would you?

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✓ The largest cave in the world, Hang Son Doong, is in the Quảng Bình Province of Vietnam. It stretches for almost 6 miles and it is said that it is so big inside that a Boeing 747 could fly right through it!

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✓ The star on the Vietnamese flag represents the five main classes in society: intellectuals, farmers, workers, youth and military personnel. The red background represents the blood lost during the years of conflict in the country.