Throughout its 4000 years of history, the border of Viet-Nam has expanded and shrunk many times.
This map shows the country of Văn Lang around 500 BC, during the Hồng Bàng Dynastỵ. It all started around the delta of the Red River.
During the Thục Dynasty (258 - 207 BC), the country of Âu Lạc expanded to include present-day Quảng Đông and Quảng Tây provinces of China.
The country of Đại Việt (in yellow) around 1010 AD, before the Lý Dynasty expanded its border down to the present-day Huế. At the time, the Cham empire occupied the green area.
The country of Đại Việt, around 1060-1757 AD, showing the southern expansion of various dynasties ("Nam Tiến").
The present-day country of Việt Nam, the way it has been since 1887 AD. This map shows the island chains of Hoàng Sa and Trường Sa, and the island of Phú Quốc.
The geographical regions of Viet-Nam.
Culturally, Viet-Nam is divided into the North, Central, and South regions. The North region comprises of the Northeast, Northwest, and the Red River Delta areas. The Central region comprises of the North Central, South Central, and Central Highland areas. The South region comprises of the Southeast and the Mekong River Delta areas.
Politically, during the Viet-Nam War, the country was divided into the North and the South through the 17th Parallel, which approximated the border of the Quảng Trị and Quảng Bình provinces.
The provinces of present-day Viet-Nam.
A satellite map of Viet-Nam.
Notes:
* In 1978, war broke out between Viet-Nam and China. The Chinese army, since then, has occupied the northern border area, a number of kilometers into Vietnamese border. Recently, secret negotiations between the two countries evidently might have altered that border, in China's favor. The area in question might be about 1-2% of the total land area of Viet-Nam.
* Also, since 1978, Chinese army has occupied the two island chains of Hoang Sa and Truong Sa. China now claims them Chinese territories. Oil was discovered in early 1970s on the islands.
* Phú Quốc island has seen small fightings between Cambodia and Viet-Nam over the years. Cambodia claims the island its former territory.
