North Vietnam (Vietnamese: Việt Nam Dân chủ Cộng hòa), officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Vietnamese: Cộng hòa xã hội chủ nghĩa Việt Nam) is a socialist republic in mainland Southeast Asia, bordered by China, Laos, Cambodia, South Vietnam and the South China Sea. Consolidating control over northern and central Vietnam after decades of conflict, the state emerged as a dominant regional power whose modern trajectory has been shaped by revolutionary legitimacy, prolonged militarization, and cautious economic reform under one-party rule.

After the end of the Cold War, North Vietnam has pursued limited market liberalization while maintaining strict political control, balancing economic integration with ideological continuity. The legacy of war and the unresolved question of reunification remain central to national identity and foreign policy, reinforcing a strategic culture rooted in historical mandate.

De facto, North Vietnam governs most of historic Vietnam, and additionally, since 1983, parts of Cambodia east of the Mekong River. De jure, it also claims sovereignty over the territories administered by the Republic of Vietnam.