Le Ngoc Binh, a 42-year-old tourist from Hanoi, recalls his trip to North Korea in November 2019, just a few months before the country closed its borders due to Covid 19 in 2020.

The country reopened its border city of Rason to a group of international travelers in February 2025, but closed it down weeks later, according to tour companies, AP reported.

Binh, having visited around 20 countries, was intrigued by the idea of exploring a place often described as “mysterious”, so he booked a tour for about VND27 million ($1,055).

Upon arrival, his first impression was the quietness, an empty airport with only one or two flights per day from Beijing and Russia. Security checks were manual, and the local hosts welcomed the tourist group with formality.

One of his memories includes Kim Il Sung Square, with a view across the Taedong River to the Juche Tower.