HÀ NỘI — Hà Nội had been pulling out the stops to prepare for the second Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) – United States (US) Summit which will take place from February 27 to 28.

Security had been tightened on the threshold of the event, said Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyễn Thanh Long, head of the city’s Police Consulting Department yesterday.

Summit protection would be implemented at the highest level.

Thousands of police officers from Hà Nội and nearby areas had been mobilised to ensure safety and security.

A welcoming banner for the second DPRK - US Summit in front of a five-star hotel on Lý Thường Kiệt Street. — VNS Photo Khoa Thư

A representative from the city’s Traffic Police Department said that over 1,000 officers had been deployed for the event.  

300 key junctions would be guarded to prevent congestions while some 30 police vehicles would take responsibility to clear roads and escort delegations to their destinations.

According to Nội Bài Police Station in the outlying district of Sóc Sơn, the force had collaborated with Nội Bài Airport and Hà Nội Police to discuss security plans for both before and after the summit.

96 teams had been mobilised to patrol and monitor the capital overnight from 11pm to 5am.

The Ministry of Public Security had also deployed an additional 1,000 officers to help with security at the summit.

A worker hangs the three countries’ flag on a lamppost. — VNS Photo Trương Vị

Promoting a city of peace

Hà Nội authorities have called for collaborative efforts from agencies and the people to promote the city as a peaceful destination. Director of Hà Nội’s Culture and Sports Department Tô Văn Đông said that choosing Hà Nội as the host city for the second DPRK – US Summit showed the city as well as Việt Nam’s high position and would be a good opportunity to promote the country to the world.

People are asked to follow traffic regulations, keep the environment clean and not block pavements.

LED displays, welcoming banners and booths have been set up on main streets including Võ Chí Công, Láng Hạ, and Liễu Giai.

Flags of the three countries can be easily spotted on downtown streets while flower pots have added bursts of colour to the city’s otherwise grey look. 

A worker cleans up the National Government Guesthouse Residence around which many international reporters have gathered over the past few days. — VNS Photo Khoa Thư

Fully connected

Telecommunications companies are racing to set up connection services and internet cables at the Friendship Cultural Palace which will serve as the international media centre for the summit.

VNPT will be preventing cyber-attacks and protecting reporters’ access to devices.

The company will install 3G and 4G hotspots around the centre and enhance public wifi services.

VNPT will also offer an international television signal transceiver service via the international optical cable network.

Viettel said that it would ensure international and domestic transmission capacity, allowing up to 3,500 reporters access to the internet at the same time without being interrupted.

MobiFone is offering special telecoms packages for foreign tourists visiting Việt Nam during the summit. — VNS