Why Is Vietnam Often Referred to As a Small Country When It's Not ?

Question

Actually, of the 266 geographical entities in the world, Vietnam ranks 72nd in size, being larger than Poland , Italy, and the Philippines (75th, 76th and 77th respectively) and way larger than the entire United Kingdom (The UK includes England, Scotland and Northern Ireland and ranks 84th). Source: http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/geo_are_tot

In population, Vietnam ranks 13th out of 267, larger than Germany (14th), France (21st), the UK (22nd), and Italy (23rd). With 83.5 million people, Vietnam is not only larger than the Republic of Korea (24th at 48.6 million) and North Korea (ranks 27th at 22.9 million) but also ahead of both of them combined (at 71.5 million, a unified Korea will still be well below Vietnam). Source: http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/peo_pop

Then why is Vietnam often referred to as a small country even by people of Vietnamese origin inside and outside of Vietnam? A misunderstanding? Ignorance of facts? Prejudice? Always comparing to China or the US?

I know it isn't necessarily an insult because even many Vietnamese inside and outside of Vietnam also refer to their own homeland as "our little Vietnam". It isn't alsways so referred only by people from larger countries. Additionally, I seldom have heard people refer to the UK as " little Britain" or to Italy as "little Italy" (except when referring to a neighborhood in Manhattan.

Incidentally, I'm an American, not a Vietnamese.

Answer 1

I think its just a trick of the eye,it just looks small,i just got out my map and you tend to only look at half of it,i live here and think its the best country in the world.[im English].

Answer 2

It's simply a matter of perspective.

Vietnam's geographic area is about the size of New Mexico, but has a population more than double of California. If you get that many people into one little area, you're going to think it's small. Also, Vietnam's economy is constantly being compared to China, which is over ten times the geographic and population size of Vietnam.

By comparison to the popular global benchmarks, Vietnam is small.

I hope this clears things up..

P.S. I'm an American-Vietnamese.

Answer 3

Very good American.

Look like you have done a thorough research on Viet Nam's geography. Very impressive and I totally agreed with you. It has to do with politic, misconception, pride, prejudice, and ignorance. Whenever you hear someone make such a comment, they don't necessarily refer to the geographical area of Viet Nam but rather than they compare the Viet Nam social economy and power to their (non-VN) countries. Viet Nam's social economy had been suffered from wars for many decades, even before the invasion of the French, even before Communism was born, which had put the Vietnamese people in a vicious continuous cycle of poverty and illiteracy. Often time, the world see Viet Nam as one of the inferior country in Asia or as a third world developed country. And about the Vietnamese people's making such statements, it is because of the low self-esteem that they have and quite frankly they can't help it but feel that way. The government of VN doesn't contribute much to up-bring the quality of lives of the citizens nor do they offer decent jobs for the peasants. All they worry about is to put money in their own Swiss Bank accounts. Yes, that's right, those big power cahunas over there do have Swiss bank accounts and I guess you can say they're as rich as if not less than Arnord in America. That's why the Vietnamese people have learned to accept the fate and the reality that this is their lives and their children will be just like theirs. They wouldn't dare to dream that their children might be the future doctors or lawyers or engineers. Why do I say that?....Well, these types of careers are too prestigious or luxurious to common people who are not part of the Communist party.

I hope this has answer your question.

Answer 4

The countries which calls it small are way larger than Vietnam.

Answer 5

Vietnam is one of an overpopulation in the world

Answer 6

Poland, Italy, the UK, etc. are all small countries. So is Vietnam. It's not an insult. It's just geography. Get over it.