That’s a breathtaking over simplification of their relationship.

It’s a very complex and mildly antagonistic relationship while, yes, also having strong cultural and political influence.

Your characterization is incredibly broad however and - taken as written - quite inaccurate

I've been living in Vietnam for over seven years now and spoken to countless locals about this and it's way more than mildly antagonistic.

Agreed. The general sentiment that I've gotten from talking to people is that they are worried that either China will invade Vietnam (and hope that the US will protect them) or that the Vietnamese government has already "sold out" their country to China.

> or that the Vietnamese government has already "sold out" their country to China.

That's what im' trying to say as well

Two thousand years of a cycle of occupation, rebellion and invasion will tend towards the antagonistic, yes.

Hah, yes well I guess it’s all about perspective. They’re not threatening war or pretending they will so - for a country - it’s mild.

But yeah, culturally speaking there’s a great animosity that’s true (while having strong ties as well, it’s a dichotomy)