#614 Vietnam...Thanks Hoang!

#353 Vietnam...Thanks Nguyen!

This "Precious and Rare Birds of Vietnam Coastal Area" FDC was issued on May 25,2010 displaying 3 emigrating birds in the coastal area of Vietnam:

Nordmann's Greenshank (Tringa guttifer),which is an endangered species,breeds in eastern Russia along the south-western and northern coasts of the Sea of Okhotsk and on Sakhalin Island. Its non-breeding range is not fully understood, but significant numbers have been recorded in South Korea,China on passage, and in Bangladesh, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Peninsular Malaysia in winter. It has also been recorded on passage or in winter in Japan, North Korea, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (which may prove to be an important part of its wintering range), Singapore, the Philippines and Indonesia. There are unconfirmed records from Nepal and Guam (to US). It probably has a population of 500-1,000 individuals.

Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Calidris pygmeus) is a small wader which breeds in northeastern Russia and winters in Southeast Asia.The most distinctive feature of this species is its spatulate bill.This bird is critically endangered, with a current population of fewer than 2500 - probably fewer than 1000 - mature individuals. The main threats to its survival are habitat loss on its breeding grounds and loss of tidal flats through its migratory and wintering range.

Saunders's Gull (Larus saundersi) is a species of gull in the Laridae family. It is found in China, , Japan, Korea,Russia, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Its natural habitats are estuarine waters and intertidal marshes. As many other gulls, it was traditionally placed in the genus Larus. It is the only member of the genus Saundersilarus. It is threatened by habitat loss. One of its few remaining strongholds are the Yancheng Coastal Wetlands, which hosts about 20% of the world's population. The Saunders' Gull is named after British ornithologist, Howard Saunders.

#134 Vietnam...Thanks Hoang!

The left 4 stamps were issued in 1991 depicting Vietnamese women wearing traditional costumes.

The right 3 stamps were issued in 1995 also showing traditional women's attire.

#014 Vietnam Thanks Nguyen!

The 800d and 4000d stamps were issued on Jun.3,2008,depicting Hue's Court Music (The Masterpieces of the Oral and Intagible Heritage of Humanity).

With the meaning of “elegant”, Hue’s Court music mentions the music performed in annual occasions such as ceremonies, regional anniversaries as well as enthronements, funerals or official receptions. Among the diversified types of music, Court music is the only one that owns the National scope.

The existence of Court music was strongly threatened with upheavals in the 20th century, especially the collapse of monarchy and the continual wars. Losing the imperial scene, this traditional music lost one of its original functions. Nowadays, with the assistance of the Government and the local community, some old musicians are trying to resurrect this traditional music and deliver their skills to younger generations. Some remained forms of Court music are now the inspiration for Vietnamese temporary music.

The 1500d stamp was issued on Jul.1,2009,showing a Praying Mantis. 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.

The 2000d stamp was issued on Sept.1,2009,from Ornamental Fish issue. It shows Clown Loaches (Botia macracanthus),a tropical freshwater fish belonging to the Cobitidae (loach) family of Cypriniformes.