The distance between North Korea and Vietnam is over 2,000 kilometers. This means it would take approximately 24 to 34 hours to drive from Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea, to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Flying between the two nations would take much less time at a fraction of the cost and would be the more convenient choice.
The two countries have a long, intertwined history. After the Chinese-Japanese War in 1895, North Korea and Vietnam were both put under the Chinese rule. In 1945, after the end War World II, the Allies took control of the two countries and divided them along the 17th parallel to form North Korea and South Vietnam. In the years to follow, both countries would face political turmoil and war. In 1975, North and South Vietnam were reunified ending the Vietnam War, and in 1994, North and South Korea signed a peace treaty officially ending the Korean War.
The two countries have actively tried to strengthen their ties through diplomatic and trade relations during the past few decades, although to date there have been no official state visits by either president, at least not to the knowledge of the public.
The relationship between North Korea and Vietnam is still strained on some levels due to their polarizing views on human rights and international law. In addition, North Korea is still a heavily sanctioned nation, which unfortunately affects the ability of both countries to engage in commerce.
Globally, the two countries are viewed differently by the international community. While Vietnam has been successful in transitioning to a market economy and has become an important player in the South Chinese Sea disputes and was recently elected to the United Nation’s Security Council, North Korea is still struggling to move away from its isolationist policies and still finds itself in an off-and-on ceasefire with South Korea. For these reasons, many world leaders have expressed concerns over North Korea’s nuclear and ballistic weapons programs.
When it comes to travel and tourism, the two countries are worlds apart. The tourism industry in Vietnam is extremely lucrative and visitors from all around the world come to experience its beauty and culture. North Korea, on the other hand, is a difficult destination for most people to access due to its vast restrictions and sanctions. Despite this, some well-informed travelers do visit the country every now and again.
Trade Relations
Vietnam and North Korea enjoy healthy trade relations and have signed a number of bilateral agreements outlining the terms of their cooperation. This includes agreements on trade and investment, cultural and scientific cooperation, and visa rules. Vietnam is one of North Korea’s biggest suppliers of rice and other agricultural products, while North Korea supplies Vietnam with military equipment and weapons.
There are a limited number of North Korean-owned companies operating in Vietnam, so North Korea relies on investments from Vietnam to fund objectives in the country. This includes providing assistance to the regime in maintaining its colonial-era infrastructure, as well as being a source of foreign currency for the North Korean regime.
Vietnam has been viewed as a potential stepping-stone for North Korea to re-engage with the international community and build economic ties. It has proven to be somewhat successful in this regard, as North Korea has become a member of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and the ASEAN Regional Forum, both of which hold annual summits in Vietnam.
Conclusion
The distance between North Korea and Vietnam is more than two-thousand kilometers, but their shared history and current relationship spans much further than that. While their relationship is strained and still often characterized by suspicion and sanctions, Vietnam has provided North Korea with valuable trade opportunities and a chance to re-engage with the international community.
Political Tensions
Vietnam is diplomatically neutral and has long sought to remain out of the spotlight. Recently though, tensions on the Korean Peninsula have led Vietnam to take a proactive stance in regional politics. This has included taking a firm stance against North Korea’s violations of UN resolutions, as well as voicing support for world peace efforts.
In spite of the negative feelings that can be attached to North Korea and its leadership, Vietnam still finds it to be a valuable partner in trade and diplomacy. Vietnam believes it can benefit from North Korea’s resources, while also helping it find its way back into the international community.
To that end, Vietnam has taken a more active role in the denuclearization process, providing humanitarian aid to North Korea, and tentatively exploring mutually beneficial trade deals between the two countries.
Travel Restrictions
For years, North Korea has imposed strict travel restrictions and continues to deny entry to most foreigners. However, in recent years, some exceptions have been made and even tourists have been given limited access to certain areas of the country.
In 2017, the country opened up to six foreign airlines, three of which are based in Vietnam, offering direct flights to Pyongyang. Additionally, certain areas for foreigners to visit – mainly in the Rason special economic zone – have been made available to travelers who wish to explore the region.
Despite these changes, travel to North Korea should still be done with caution as the country is still very unpredictable and unstable. One should take the necessary steps and follow all the guidelines set by North Korean officials before traveling to the country.
Impact On Local Economy
Vietnam has become an increasingly popular destination for North Koreans looking to escape poverty and political persecution. The presence of North Koreans in Vietnam has had a striking impact on the local economy. The influx of North Korean workers has driven wages down and prompted local competition, meaning locals are unable to compete in certain markets.
North Korean workers also stand out due to the language barrier, and their inability to fit into the local culture has caused tension between locals and North Koreans.
The influx of North Korean workers has also had a positive impact on the Vietnamese economy, as their presence has helped to fill labor shortages in certain sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing. Many North Koreans are also reputed to have skills that the Vietnamese do not, and this has been reflected in some of the large construction projects undertaken in recent years.
Economic Benefits
The economic benefits of Vietnam-North Korea relations are two-way. North Korea has been able to take advantage of Vietnam’s strong economy and attract investment from the country. North Korea has also been successful in taking advantage of the cheaper labor costs in Vietnam, which has enabled them to keep production costs lower.
On the other side of the coin, Vietnam has been able to tap into North Korea’s resources. North Korea is known to have large deposits of minerals, precious metals, and rare earths, all of which are highly sought after by Vietnam. South Korea’s contribution to Vietnam’s economy in terms of reduced production costs, as well as foreign direct investments, is invaluable.
Despite their strained relations, North Korea and Vietnam have begun to acknowledge the economic benefits of their relationship, and have been increasingly willing to cooperate with each other in order to take advantage of mutual business opportunities.
Conclusion
North Korea and Vietnam have a long, complicated history and relationship. Despite the tension in their relationship and the economic sanctions in place, their recent interactions have shown that there is immense potential for cooperation between the two countries when it comes to trade, travel and tourism, and even diplomatic relations.
When considering the many opportunities available, it is clear that the two countries have a lot to gain by deepening their relationship, and that the distance between them is not as vast as one may initially expect.
