North Korea - Korea border, where time stopped

60 years after the war, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between the two countries became a tourist attraction. Here you can also visit the tunnel dug by North Korea to penetrate Korea.

The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is located in Gyeonggi-do Province, more than 50 km from Seoul, about 40 minutes by bus.

The last train connecting the two destroyed Koreans is now preserved as a historical witness. Right next to them is prayer ribbons for the peace and unity of the Korean people. Photo: Hong Lien.

The land border between North Korea and South Korea is 248 km long, dividing the Korean peninsula after the 1950-1953 war. The Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a land area larger than 1.6 km to each side from the border line between the two countries.

Despite the armistice, there remain political and military tensions between the two countries. South Korea has discovered many North Korean tunnels dug into its territory. Earlier, former presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton visited this place and described the DMZ as "the most frightening place in the world".

Currently, Korea has opened many tours to the DMZ. Due to its many years of closure, the demilitarized zone is a place where time seems to stop. It is home to a variety of rare animals, birds and plants.

Korean soldiers stand guard in the Common Security Area (JSA) located in Ban Mon Diem village. This is the only place in the Demilitarized Zone where South Korean and Korean soldiers face to face. Visitors are only allowed to take photos from a distance, at a specified location. Photo: Doan Loan.

Due to its proximity to the border, the DMZ is closely guarded. As you approach the sights, a soldier will check your passport (if you're a foreigner). Your tour guide at the sights is also a soldier. There are areas such as the third tunnel (North Korea dug into Korea) or the observation area to Korea ... will not be photographed, filmed.

However, there are still areas for you to take photos freely. The soldiers are also not afraid to take souvenir photos with visitors in the permitted areas. The peaceful atmosphere, lush greenery here will make you forget the tension of the border.

Guests take pictures with soldiers standing solemnly in a house in Ban Mon, where witnessed the signing of the armistice. Photo: Doan Loan.

Important destinations in the DMZ tour:

- Pan Gate is the place where the 1952 Korean War ended, there is a Joint Security Area where South Korean and Korean soldiers face.
- The third tunnel was dug by North Korea to penetrate into Korea.
- Railway bridge connects the two regions with the last train between the two regions.
- Observatory to the Korean territory, you can see the Korean invested Kaesong industrial park, hiring Korean workers to work.

According to the Korea Tourism Board (KTO), at present, most Vietnamese travel companies do not have a DMZ tour. However, you can ask for information about hotel tours or visit the KTO website. There are many options depending on the number of points you want to go, the price is from 50,000 won (50 USD) or more, during the day.