North Vietnam

American  

noun

1. that part of Vietnam N of about 17° N; formerly a part of French Indochina; separate republic 1954–75.

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North Vietnam British  

noun

1. a region of N Vietnam, on the Gulf of Tonkin: an independent Communist state from 1954 until 1976. Area: 164 061 sq km (63 344 sq miles)

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Compare meaning

How does north-vietnam compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• North Vietnam vs. South Vietnam

Example Sentences

Using Paveway against targets in North Vietnam, Mr. Stern tells us, “proved two hundred times more effective than conventional bombs.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 10, 2026

During the war, Sweden was the first Western nation to recognize North Vietnam in 1969 and became a vocal ally, with a significant portion of Swedish citizens demonstrating for what they saw as Vietnamese liberation.

From Salon • Dec. 31, 2025

Vietnam’s ties to Russia are close and go back many decades, to the vital military, economic and diplomatic support given by the Soviet Union to the new communist state in North Vietnam in the 1950s.

From BBC • Jun. 20, 2024

In 1954, his parents and five siblings escaped communist North Vietnam to seek refuge in South Vietnam.

From Los Angeles Times • May 15, 2024

He was against the bombing of North Vietnam, and she knew that.

From "Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War" by Steve Sheinkin