North Korea’s future remains one of the biggest questions of current world politics. Not only because of the complexities related to denuclearization, but also, and potentially even more challenging, because of unprecedented questions on how to integrate a long-term rogue regime into the international system. This includes normalization of its economy and politics. The “Vietnam model” has become a popular proposal. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo explicitly suggested that when he last visited Pyongyang and Hanoi in July 2018.¹ The interested party himself, Chairman Kim Jong-un, reportedly mentioned Vietnam as an inspiration.² Kim is also showing more interest in the economic development of his country, increasing visits to factories, farms, and construction sites.³ More informal and people-to-people level exchanges with South Korea, ranging from sports engagement⁴ to family reunions,⁵ also suggest a growing appetite for some sort of normalization. Indeed, there are a number of parallels that can be drawn. But more importantly, there are differences that illustrate how North Korea may refer to some inspirations from Vietnam, but will ultimately need to invent its own path, tailored to its unique situation. This article explains how Vietnam pursued reforms and points out major differences between Vietnam thirty years ago, when it embarked on the Doi Moi, and a tentative future for North Korea when it finally opens up.

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