They both have a bit in common. They’re both communist Asian states that the US went to war with during the Cold War and did not win. But the messaging regarding the two states is a lot different. DPRK is treated like the worst dictatorship ever, that kills you and your family for even thinking that the Kims are less than gods, whilst also starving. But Vietnam, they say… nothing.
Why isn’t Vietnam demonized like DPRK?
It is a zero-sum game between whether Vietnam supports China more, or America more. Those are the multipolar blocs of power. That’s why they are being compared. The question being implicitly asked underneath this discussion is “who would Vietnam side with in a war or cold war between China and America? Or would they remain neutral” or put another way, in a correct-thinking anti-imperialist manner: Would Vietnam fight against imperialists or with them, or would they try to fail their duties of internationalism and solidarity and remain neutral?
There are legitimate concerns and hopes that Vietnam would participate as part of the ring of containment against China, alongside Japan, Occupied Korea, Occupied Chinese Taipei, India, etc. That they are brought up in this light isn’t damning? It’s the tug-of-war meme where you see who’s on your side and go wtf?