I left Vietnam when I was 7. I had very little memory other than some memories of the home I was raised in Ho Chi Minh City. We will visit the home hopefully this trip. My uncle currently lives there now. The last time I was in Vietnam was 18 years ago. This will be my third visit, and I’m so grateful to share it with my sisters.

Here are 10 facts about Vietnam:

S-Shaped Country: Vietnam is geographically shaped like the letter 'S', stretching along the eastern coast of the Indochinese Peninsula.
Communist State: It is one of the few remaining communist countries in the world, governed by the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Motorbike Capital: Motorcycles dominate transportation, with roughly 10 million in daily use, accounting for most road traffic.
Coffee Powerhouse: Vietnam is the world's second-largest coffee producer, contributing roughly 16% of the global supply.
World's Largest Cave: Son Doong Cave, located in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, is the world's largest natural cave.
Common Surname: Approximately 40% of the population shares the surname Nguyen.
Coffee Culture: Coffee is integral to daily life, often served with condensed milk, in a culture known for strong, rich flavors.
Ancient History: The region has been inhabited for around 500,000 years, with a history of Chinese occupation for over 1,000 years prior to independence.
UNESCO Heritage Sites: Vietnam is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the famous Ha Long Bay, known for its limestone karsts.
Rich Biodiversity: Vietnam is a biodiversity hotspot, containing roughly 16% of the world's flora and fauna species