Vietnam, the venue for the second U.S.-North Korea, has a 69-year history of diplomatic ties with North Korea, strengthened by their similar ideologies,... mutual visits of top leaders and the economic aid Pyeongyang provided during the Vietnam War.
Our Kim Da-mi tells us more about the friendship between the two countries.
Diplomatic ties between North Korea and Vietnam date back to 1950, when North Korea, along with the former Soviet Union and China, became one of the first three countries in the world to recognize Vietnam as an independent country.

They shared a socialist ideology. And mutual visits by their leaders, Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam and Kim Il-sung of North Korea, in 1958 and 59... helped them build on that friendship.

North Korea gave substantial military and economic aid to Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
The two countries also shared the idea that the war was a struggle against imperialism, something the Korean Peninsula had experienced itself.

But Vietnam’s attack on Cambodia in 1978, and other decisions such as its market reforms in the 1980s... caused its ties with North Korea to cool temporarily.

"Despite political differences with North Korea, Vietnam acknowledged the North as an irreplaceable partner."

With its economy stable by the early 2000s, Vietnam again sought to normalize relations with North Korea by donating rice and through visits by high-ranking officials.

"Through the upcoming summit, North Korea will not only expand its diplomacy in general but also improve its relations with Vietnam in particular."

Despite the ups and downs of the last 69 years, the two countries will be looking to maintain and strengthen their long-standing ties.
KIM Da-mi, Arirang News.