_#_Administrative divisions: 41 provinces (tinh, singular and plural), 3 municipalities* (thanh pho, singular and plural); An Giang, Bac Thai, Ben Tre, Binh Dinh, Cao Bang, Cuu Long, Dak Lak, Dong Nai, Dong Thap, Gia Lai-Kon Tum, Ha Bac, Hai Hung, Hai Phong*, Ha Nam Ninh, Ha Noi*, Ha Son Binh, Ha Tuyen, Hau Giang, Hoang Lien Son, Ho Chi Minh*, Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Lai Chau, Lam Dong, Lang Son, Long An, Minh Hai, Nghe Tinh, Phu Yen, Quang Binh, Quang Nam-Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Quang Ninh, Quang Tri, Song Be, Son La, Tay Ninh, Thai Binh, Thanh Hoa, Thua Thien, Thuan Hai, Tien Giang, Vinh Phu, Vung Tau-Con Dao; note—diacritical marks are not included
_#_Independence: 2 September 1945 (from France)
_#_Constitution: 18 December 1980
_#_Legal system: based on Communist legal theory and French civil law system
_#_National holiday: Independence Day, 2 September (1945)
_#_Executive branch: chairman of the Council of State, Council of State, chairman of the Council of Ministers, Council of Ministers
_#_Legislative branch: unicameral National Assembly (Quoc-Hoi)
_#_Judicial branch: Supreme People's Court
_#_Leaders:
Chief of State—Chairman of the Council of State Vo Chi CONG (since 18 June 1987);