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Find out what Vietnam and South Korea have in common
Vietnam and South Korea have been vital partners for decades, and the Republic ofKorea has been a great model for Vietnam to emulate during its rapid growth in thepost-Cold War era. Even though these two Asian countries are different in some ways, they share a lot of history and culture.
Vietnam is a country that is situated in Southeast Asia. The country is known for its delicious food, beautiful white sand beaches, and friendly locals. South Korea is in East Asia, and it is known as the center of the so-called “Korean Wave” of popular culture that has a big impact around the world. South Korea is also known as a technology giant.
Vietnam and South Korea have been one of the best surviving countries during the global COVID-19 pandemic due to quick actions done by the government. The reasons behind this may relate to the same model of political governing, culture, and social structure. Life in these Asian countries is currently operating close to normal, and institutions of higher education are continuing their semesters according to the plan.
Life in South Korea and Vietnam is getting back to normal. Picture by Aleksandar Pasaric
Tropical climate or four seasons?
Perhaps one of the biggest differences between Vietnam and South Korea is the climate and nature. South Korea has a temperate climate and experiences four seasons. Winters can be cold with a decent amount of snow which attracts skiers to the mountains.
Vietnam has a tropical climate, so it is warm all year, though there are some regional differences. At higher elevations, the weather is significantly cooler. In the North, summer months are hotter and have more rain, while winter months are dryer and cooler.
All year long, you can enjoy the warm weather and tropical scenery in Vietnam. Picture by Ruslan Bardash
Differences in expenses
South Korea’s economy has been constantly evolving for several decades which has led to an increase in luxuries and a higher cost of living. For tourists, traveling to South Korea comes with higher prices but with a good value for the money as modern conveniences are everywhere. Vietnam is a fairly inexpensive destination compared to South Korea.
Compared to other destinations in Europe or North America, the prices are still a little cheaper but more expensive than many other destinations in Asia. Although Vietnam is a country with a fast-growing economy, it still has a lower cost of living.
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Two constantly evolving economies
Korea and Vietnam share the same Confucian ethical philosophy and model of political governing, culture, and social structure. Four years after the 1992 normalization of diplomatic ties, South Korea was already annually conducting 1.3 billion dollars of trade with Vietnam, making them Vietnam’s third-largest trading partner. To this day, the partnership lays on solid grounds.
South Korea is a constantly evolving economic powerhouse and Vietnam has been growingrapidly over the last decades, becoming one of the largest business centers in Asia.Thegrowing economy has made more room for international workers but also students.
The Foreign Trade University in Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most appreciated universities in Vietnam. The Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul is also one of the top universities in Korea for international students.
You might also want to read Differences between Korean and American culture
South Korea has been a great model for the rapidly growing economy in Vietnam. Picture by Marius Mann
Breathtaking coastlines and refreshing forests
Geologically, even though South Korea and Vietnam have totally different climates, they both share long coastlines and have a highly mountainous landscape. Western Vietnam, near the Laos and Cambodia borders, is heavily forested and mountainous. Korea is 70 percent covered by mountains and more than 60 percent of South Korea is forested. In Vietnam, forested areas cover around 40 percent.
South Korea’s one and only land border are with North Korea whereas Vietnam shares borders with Cambodia, China, and Laos which gives the access of traveling to nearby countries on the mainland. Otherwise, South Korea is surrounded by water. The breathtaking coastlines of Vietnam and South Korea reach thousands of kilometers.
You might also be interested in Top 5 reasons to study in Vietnam
The Bukhansan National Park in Seoul is only one of the other 21 in South Korea. Picture by Ramesh Kumar Saini
Bonded by the culture
Although Vietnamese and South-Korean cultures have their own nuances, there are several similarities. The Vietnamese and South Korean food culture relies heavily on rice which is a staple ingredient that almost no meals can go without. In addition to rice, noodles and different soups are very popular. Street food is also a big part of both countries’ food culture and during the evenings you can find people where the street food markets are at.
classic Vietnamese noodle soup dish. Picture by Markus Winkler
When it comes to sports, football is a big part of the culture. South Korea has been one of Asia’s largest football countries since the 1950s, with the most successful Asian football team in history. Vietnam was introduced to football in the 19th century by the French, and to this day, Vietnamese supporters are thought to be one of the most passionate football fans.
Another cultural similarities to mention are that both countries celebrate the Chinese New Year on the same exact date. South Koreans and Vietnamese also both wear traditional clothes.
Read more:
BEST COUNTRIES TO STUDY ABROAD IN ASIA: TOP 10 DREAM DESTINATIONS OFFERING WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION
The national traditional dress in Vietnam is called ao dai. Picture by Ba Phi
A surprising amount of similarities
As can be seen, despite being thousands of miles apart from each other, the two countriespossess a surprising amount of similarities – historically, culturally, and mentally. If you are looking for a life-changing experience in an Asian country, Vietnam and South Korea are just for that.
Are you interested in studying in Asia? Then you shouldclick here.
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