Capital of Vietnam: Hanoi
The capital of Vietnam is Hanoi. Vietnam sits in Asia, has a population of 98,186,856, and uses the VND. Official languages include Vietnamese.
Quick facts
- Capital: Hanoi
- Continent: Asia
- Population: ~98,186,856
- Area: 331,212 km²
- Population density: 296 people per km²
- Official language: Vietnamese
- Currency: VND
- ISO code: VN
How big is Vietnam?
By population, Vietnam ranks 16th in the world, holding roughly 1.23% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 66th.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Vietnam has 296 people per square kilometre, which is about 5.0 times the world average of 59.4. It is more crowded than its size alone would suggest.
Within Asia, Vietnam is the 8th most populous country of 48.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Vietnam in population are Democratic Republic of the Congo (99,010,212) and Iran (88,550,570).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Malaysia (330,803 km²) and Finland (338,424 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
Vietnamese is listed as an official language of Vietnam alone, which is unusual — most official languages are shared across borders.
Vietnam uses the VND, and it is the only country that does, which makes the currency name a reliable one-to-one clue.
Vietnam in Asia
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are China, India, Indonesia and Pakistan.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Asia is the block Vietnam belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Vietnam and a page on the flag of Vietnam.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Vietnam?
The capital of Vietnam is Hanoi.
What is the population of Vietnam?
About 98,186,856, making it the 16th most populous country in the world.
How big is Vietnam?
331,212 square kilometres, ranking 66th by land area, at a density of 296 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Vietnam use?
The VND, which no other country uses.