Debt - external:
$20.16 billion (2005 est.)

Economic aid - recipient: $2.8 billion in credits and grants pledged by international donors for 2000 (2004)

Currency (code):
dong (VND)

Currency code:
VND

Exchange rates:
dong per US dollar - 15,746 (2005), (2004), 15,510 (2003), 15,280
(2002), 14,725 (2001)

Fiscal year:
calendar year

Communications Vietnam

Telephones - main lines in use:
15.845 million (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular:
9.593 million (2005)

Telephone system:
general assessment: Vietnam is putting considerable effort into
modernization and expansion of its telecommunication system, but its
performance continues to lag behind that of its more modern neighbors
domestic: all provincial exchanges are digitalized and connected to
Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City by fiber-optic cable or
microwave radio relay networks; main lines have been substantially
increased, and the use of mobile telephones is growing rapidly
international: country code - 84; satellite earth stations - 2
Intersputnik (Indian Ocean region)