FDC from Vietnam／FDC du Vietnam

Year of the cat／année du chat

The Vietnamese zodiac is almost identical to Chinese zodiac except that the second animal is the water buffalo instead of the ox, the fourth animal is the cat instead of the rabbit The 8th animal is the goat instead of the sheep.

FDC from Vietnam／FDC du Vietnam

Fishing Cat／Chat viverrin

The Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a medium-sized cat. Its fur has an olive-grey color with dark spots arranged stripe-like running along the length of the body. The face has a distinctly flat-nosed appearance. The size varies between locations. They are stocky of build with medium short legs, and a short muscular tail of one half to one third of the length of the rest of the animal. As the name implies, fish is the main prey of this cat, of which it hunts about 10 different species. It also hunts other aquatic animals such as frogs or crayfish, and terrestrial animals such as rodents and birds.

Like its closest relative, the Leopard Cat, the Fishing Cat lives along rivers, streams and mangrove swamps. It is well adapted to this habitat, being an eager and skilled swimmer.

Fishing Cat is a rare animal listed in the Vietnam Red Book. The International Union for Conservation of Nature IUCN lists the Fishing Cat as a species vulnerable to extinction. In Vietnam, they are found in Cao B»ng, Kh¸nh Hßa, Kiªn Giang provinces and Hå ChÝ Minh City.

FDC fron Vietnam／FDC du Vietnam

Ornamental Fish／Les poissons d'ornement


The hobby of collecting and raising aquarium fish appeared 2500 years ago, firstly from China, and then spread to South East Asian countries. Until the 17th century, aquarium fish was brought to Europe, America and raising aquarium fish has become a hobby of many people world-wide. Up to now, there are many kinds of ornamental fish in different shapes & colours have been cross-bred.

Raising aquarium fish has been considered a profitable job for every household. Apart from economic value, it also makes human life more pleasant. Thus, the hobby of collecting & raising aquarium fish has attracted numerous people at all ages in the world.

In Vietnam Stamp Collection, there are many issues of ornamental fish such as: Gold fish, Exotic fish, Ornamental fish, Tropical fish, Siamese fighting fish, Coral sea-fish...

2,000d: Botia macracanthus

3,000d: Trichopsis pumila

6,500d: Cynolebias elongatus

10,500d: Centropyge flavissima

14,500d(S/S): Scleropages formosus

FDC from Vietnam／FDC du Vietnam

Rhododendron



Rhododendron (from the Greek: rhodos, "rose", and dendron, "tree") is a genus of flowering plants in the family Ercaceae.

It is a large genus with over 1000 species which very rich variety of types, sizes and colors. They are only natural distribution in high mountain areas, where climate is cool.

In the world, Rhododendron is a very widely distributed genus, occurring throughout most of Northern America in temperate zone, extending into the highland of Asia-Euro-Eastern Asia and with other significant areas of diversity in Japan and North Korea. Rhododendrons have not been found in South America or Africa.

In Viet Nam, Rhododendrons occur in Tam Dao, Bạch Mã, Bà Nà National Park and many species diversity in Đà Lạt. The highest species diversity is found in Sapa.- Hoàng Liên National Park that is considered as one of the biggest Rhododendron Garden with 32 species of ericaceous.

Rhododendrons with its tender fineness are used extensively as ornamental plants in landscaping in many parts of the world.

It is the National Flower of Nepal and also the State Flower of West Virginia and Washington in America.

500d: Rhododendron fortunei Lindl.
1,200d: Rhododendron simsii Planch.
4,500d: Rhododendron sp.
14,500d: Enkianthus quinqueflorus Lour.

FDC fron Vietnam／FDC du Vietnam

Praying mantises／Les mantoptères


Praying Mantises or Praying Mantids are carnivorous insects that live in warm areas, camouflaging them among plants. There are about 2,000 species of mantis. Most mantises are pea green or brown. Like all insects, they have 6 jointed legs, 2 antennae, large compound eyes, a hard exoskeleton and a three-part body (head, thorax, and abdomen). Mantis can rotate their triangular-shaped head in almost a full circle. Most adult mantises are from 2 to 6 inches (5-15 cm) long. Females are larger than the males.

The natural life span of a Praying Mantis in the wild is about 10-12 months, but some have been known to live up to 14 months in captivity. The males sometimes die suddenly 2 or 3 weeks after mating.

Praying Mantises eat flies, aphids, moths, butterflies and many other insects (including other mantids). Praying Mantises are useful in gardens, since they control the insect population. They will only eat live insects.

Praying Mantises are eaten by bats, birds and wasps.

FDC from Vietnam／FDC du Vietnam

Rhododendron／Le rhododendron



Rhododendron (from the Greek: rhodos, "rose", and dendron, "tree") is a genus of flowering plants in the family Ercaceae.

It is a large genus with over 1000 species which very rich variety of types, sizes and colors. They are only natural distribution in high mountain areas, where climate is cool.

In the world, Rhododendron is a very widely distributed genus, occurring throughout most of Northern America in temperate zone, extending into the highland of Asia-Euro-Eastern Asia and with other significant areas of diversity in Japan and North Korea. Rhododendrons have not been found in South America or Africa.

In Viet Nam, Rhododendrons occur in Tam Dao, Bạch Mã, Bà Nà National Park and many species diversity in Đà Lạt. The highest species diversity is found in Sapa.- Hoàng Liên National Park that is considered as one of the biggest Rhododendron Garden with 32 species of ericaceous.

Rhododendrons with its tender fineness are used extensively as ornamental plants in landscaping in many parts of the world.

It is the National Flower of Nepal and also the State Flower of West Virginia and Washington in America.

On the First of August 2009, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) specially issues the stampset: “Rhododendrons” consisting of 04 values with their denominations of 500d; 1,200d; 4,500d and 14,500d.

The stampset shows the four typical species of Rhododendron in Vietnam.

- Value 4-1: denomination of 500d - Rhododendron fortunei Lindl.

- Value 4-2: denomination of 1,200d - Rhododendron simsii Planch.

- Value 4-3: denomination of 4,500d - Rhododendron sp.

- Value 4-4: denomination of 14,500d - Enkianthus quinqueflorus Lour.

FDC from Vietnam／FDC du Vietnam

Vietnam - Singapore joint stamp issue／
Timbre Emission commune Singapour Vietnam





＂On the 18th of November 2008, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) specially issues the stampset: “Vietnam - Singapore Joint stamp issue” consisting of 02 values with their denominations of 2,000d and 8,000d.

The stampset shows the typical fruits of the two countries: Dragon fruit of Vietnam and Durian fruit of Singapore.

- Value (2-1), denomination of 2,000d: Durian fruit - Durio zibethinus Muray

The Durian, native to Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia, is the fruit of trees from the genus Durio belonging Malvaceae family. It is mostly planted in Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam, India and Australia. The fruit can grow up to 30 centimetres long and 15 centimetres in diameter, typically weighs one to four kilograms and formidable thorn-covered husk. The shell splits into five segments when ripe, exposing the creamy whitish, yellowish or pinkish aril which surrounds large seeds. The taste is sweet and unique odour.

The durian is commonly known and revered in Southeast Asia as the "King of the Fruits".

- Value (2-2), denomination of 8,000d: Dragon fruit - Hylocereus undatus (Haw.) Britton & Rose

Dragon fruit, the fruit of several cactus species, is cultivated as a flowering ornamental tree or fruit-tree. It not known exactly where the dragon fruit originated, but it is thought to have come from Central and South America. The dragon fruits are also cultivated in China, Taiwan and Southeast Asian countries such as Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Malaysia. Growing red dragonfruit with red or pink skin and white flesh in Thailand, China, Taiwan, Philippines ... are collected seeds from Binh Thuan Dragon Fruit in Vietnam.

Vietnam Dragon Fruit is a spectacular night flowering cactus with highly ornamental pink skin & white flesh fruit containing numerous small black seeds. Fruit can be up to 1kg with a melon like flavour. Dragon fruits are valuable fruit export of Vietnam.＂-Vietnam Stamp

2,000d：Le durian (prononcer dourian)

Le durian (prononcer dourian) ou durion (Durio zibethinus) est un arbre tropical de la famille des Bombacaceae (classification classique) ou des Malvaceae (classification phylogénétique) qui produit des fruits comestibles. Ce fruit, lui aussi appelé durian, n'est récolté que dans le sud-est de l'Asie. Il se présente comme un gros ovoïde (parfois plus de 40 cm de circonférence), pesant jusqu'à 5 kg, avec une carapace de grosses épines, et poussant en haut de grands arbres. Il est connu pour son goût et son odeur très particuliers.

Le genre Durio compte 30 espèces, toutes originaires du sud-est asiatique. Au moins neuf d'entre elles produisent des fruits comestibles[1]. L'espèce Durio zibethinus est la seule disponible sur le marché international, la vente des autres espèces reste confinée aux régions où elles sont produites.

Le nom vient du malais duri, qui signifie "épine".

8,000d：Le pitaya ou pitahaya (Hylocereus undatus)

Le pitaya ou pitahaya (de l’indien Taïno, « fruit écailleux »), plus connu sous le nom de « fruit du dragon » (ou strawberry pear en anglais), est le fruit de différentes espèces de cactus épiphytes, et plus particulièrement de celles de l’espèce Hylocereus undatus (anciennement H. triangularis).

Originaire d’Amérique centrale, ces cactus aux allures de vignes vierges ont été importés au Viêt Nam par les colons français au début du XIXe siècle. Initialement, les fruits étaient réservés à la famille royale puis à la bourgeoisie locale. Ils devinrent ensuite le premier produit d’exportation du Viêt Nam et rivalisèrent en prix avec le fruit vedette d’Asie, le durian. Ils sont aujourd’hui cultivés et appréciés dans toute l’Asie du Sud Est (Malaisie, Taiwan) et la côte Sud Est de la Chine. La version bonsaï du pitaya est courante sur les marchés à fleur de Taiwan.-wiki

FDC from Vietnam／FDC du Vietnam

Vietnam - Argentina joint stamp issue／
Timbre Emission commune Argentine Vietnam





＂On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of Argentine-Vietnamese diplomatic relations, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) specially issues the stampset: “Vietnam - Argentine Joint stamp issue” on the 25th of October 2008 at Hanoi consisting of 02 values with their denominations of 800d and 10,000d.

The stampset depicts the typical species of beautiful flowers in two countries: Lotus in Vietnam and Floss Silk Tree in Argentine issuing

- Value (2-1), denomination of 800d: Floss Silk Tree

Considered one of the most beautiful trees in the world, the Floss Silk Tree is a species of deciduous tropical plant from Argentina and Brazil. It is resistant to drought and moderate cold. It grows fast in spurts when water is abundant, and sometimes reaches more than 25m in height. Silk Floss blooms in early Fall with abandon. The older the tree, the better the flower display. And with individual trees grown from seed there are variations in the flower colors; more pink, more rose, etc. The fruits are ligneous ovoid pods, 20 cm long, which contain bean-sized black seeds surrounded by a mass of fibrous, fluffy matter reminiscent of cotton or silk.

Silk Floss Tree is cultivated as a flowering specimen tree. The seedpod silk has been used to stuff cushions.

- Value (2-2), denomination of 10,000d: Lotus

This is the typical Lotus flower in West Lake of Hanoi - Vietnam. Lotus flowers in West Lake are unique for both their color and fragrance; they are lighter pink and sweeter in fragrance.

In Viet Nam, Lotus is assigned to the set of four seasons "Tø QuÝ": Orchids, Lotus, Daisies, Apricot blossoms and is also the symbol of Summer. Lotus tree has a lot of use. The department lotus flowers are processed food featuring flavor tastes of Viet Nam such as lotus rootstock salad, sugar coats lotus seeds, lotus compote, lotus tea... Lotus tea is a common drink in Vietnam. Lotus tea made from West Lake's lotus flowers is well known with its own unique flavor.

This beautiful flower is a symbol of the refined and unyielding spirit of the Vietnamese people.＂-Vietnam stamp

FDC from Vietnam／FDC du Vietnam

Joint Stamps issue between Vietnam - France／
Timbre Emission commune France Vietnam



＂On the 15th of October 2008, the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) issues the stampset: “Joint Stamps issue between Vietnam - France” consisting of 02 values with their denominations of 800d and 14,000d.

It is the first stampset to have been jointly issued by Vietnam and France. The stampset depicts the sceneries of Ha Long bay (in Vietnam) and Bouches de Bonifacio (in France).

- Value (2-1), denomination of 800d: Bouches de Bonifacio in France

Bonifacio is a commune at the southern tip of the island of Corsica, in theCorse-du-Sud department, SartÌne district (arrondissement), Bonifacio total (canton). Bouches de Bonifacio is located on the Mediterranean Sea with the roughly limestone and coastal further into cliffs. This is an attraction famous of France.

- Value (2-2), denomination of 14,000d : Ha Long bay in Vietnam

Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage site located in Quang Ninh province, Vietnam. The bay features thousands of limestone karsts and isles in various sizes and shapes. Ha Long bay consists of a dense cluster of 1,969 limestone monolithic islands with rich vegetation cover and many beautiful caves. This is not only one of the attractions famous in the world but also be introduced to nominate as World's 7 Natural Wonder.＂-Vietnam stamp