HÀ NỘI — Preparations for the DPRK-USA Hanoi Summit were basically complete despite the limited time, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Lê Hoài Trung while co-chairing an international press conference in Hà Nội yesterday.

Trung said Việt Nam was proud to have been chosen as the host country for this extremely important international event that was drawing global attention.

“Việt Nam has been selected to organise the event thanks to its improved position in the international arena and good relations with both the US and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK),” he said.

“This is also thanks to Việt Nam’s experience and capability of providing security and safety at previous major international events and during many visits by foreign leaders to the country,” he added.

By hosting the summit, Việt Nam wanted to promote its foreign policy of peace and being an active and responsible member of the international community, he said, adding that the country also wished to contribute to the peace process.

Preparations for the summit had received special attention from high-ranking leaders with the aim of ensuring its successful organisation, he said, noting that Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc himself had held many meetings with relevant ministries, agencies and localities to direct the preparations.

The Ministry of Public Security has been working closely with the Ministry of Defense and other ministries and agencies at central and local level to develop concrete measures to provide security and safety for the summit as well as co-ordinate with security forces from the US and DPRK.

“Security teams from both countries have spoken highly of Việt Nam’s preparations for the summit,” he added.

The Ministry of Health said many hospitals in the capital would be on call around the clock in case of emergency.

According to Trung, US President Donald Trump was scheduled to meet Vietnamese leaders to discuss important bilateral issues.

DPRK Chairman Kim Jong Un would be making the first official friendly visit to Việt Nam, that from a DPRK leader in 55 years.

Chairman of Hà Nội’s People’s Committee Nguyễn Đức Chung added that Hà Nội had basically completed all preparations for the summit and tasks assigned by the Prime Minister and would do its best to ensure security and safety for the summit.

Media centre

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyễn Mạnh Hùng said almost 3,000 international reporters from more than 200 news and press agencies from nearly 40 countries and territories had registered to cover the summit, along with approximately 550 domestic reporters.

The country would provide the optimum conditions for reporters to cover the event, he said, noting that an international media centre set up specifically for the event opened on Saturday, which is capable of hosting more than 4,000 reporters and equipped with modern facilities.

Free meals featuring Hà Nội specialties such as phở (noodle soup), spring rolls and egg coffee will be provided for reporters around the clock at the centre.

Free shuttle buses will also be provided for reporters to travel between the media centre and related sites. — VNS