Economic Exchanges between North and South Vietnam across the Temporary Military Demarcation Line, 1954-1958

Abstract

After the expiration of the 300-day period for troop regroupment under the Geneva Accords (21 July 1954), most relations between North and South Vietnam were severed. Nevertheless, in the area surrounding the temporary military demarcation line at the 17th parallel, economic exchanges between the populations of the two regions continued to take place quite actively, even after the general elections for national reunification scheduled for July 1956 were not carried out. These activities contributed to stabilizing the economic and social conditions of localities in the southern part of Interzone IV during the early years following the restoration of peace. At the same time, through economic exchange, relations between the peoples of the North and the South were maintained, thereby contributing to one of the major policies of the Vietnam Workers’ Party in the struggle for national reunification: the establishment and preservation of normal relations between the two regions. The article also provides additional source materials that help fill a gap in studies on Vietnamese economic history after 1954.