Vietnam Geography and Human Environment - Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering key geographical and human-environment concepts from the Vietnam lecture notes.

Mekong Delta

A fertile, low-lying coastal region in southern Vietnam where the Mekong River splits into hundreds of channels before entering the South China Sea; known as Vietnam's 'Rice Bowl.'

Red River Delta

Northern Vietnam's fertile lowland area drained by the Red River, a key agricultural and population center.

Delta

A landform at a river's mouth where sediment is deposited, creating a flat, fertile, low-lying area prone to flooding.

Monsoon

Seasonal wind system causing distinct wet and dry seasons; in Vietnam, influenced by regional circulations and South Asian monsoons.

Wet monsoon

The monsoon season bringing heavy rainfall (typically May–October in Vietnam).

Dry monsoon

The dry season with cooler, less rainfall (typically November–April).

Annam Highlands

The central highland mountainous region of Vietnam.

Montagnards

Highland ethnic groups in Vietnam, often living in the central and northern highlands; called Montagnards in French.

Sinicization

Process by which Vietnamese culture and language were heavily influenced by Chinese rule, especially before 939 CE.

Patrilineality

A kinship system in which lineage is traced through the male line, often affecting inheritance.

Patrilocal

Living with or near the husband's family after marriage; common with patrilineal systems.

Son preference

Cultural preference for male offspring, linked to patrilineal inheritance and family rites.

Bilateral agreement

A formal agreement between two countries covering specified issues such as trade or security.

Floating markets

Markets on boats, common in the Mekong Delta where people trade goods directly from watercraft.

Dams (Mekong River)

Hydroelectric or other dams built on the Mekong that affect river flow, ecology, and fisheries.

Rice Bowl

A nickname for the Mekong Delta region due to its dominant role in rice production for Vietnam.

Irrigation networks

System of canals and waterways that supply water to fields, crucial for wet-rice agriculture in the delta.

Tropical climate

A warm climate found in southern Vietnam with substantial rainfall year-round.

Humid subtropical climate

A climate in northern Vietnam with hot summers and mild winters and high humidity.

Population density

The number of people living per unit area; notably high in the Red River Delta and coastal regions.

Life expectancy

Average number of years a person is expected to live; Vietnam’s 2023 figures: around 70 for males and 79 for females.

Tourism

Industry and activities related to travel and sightseeing; a growing sector in Vietnam's economy.