Why Vietnam was the place chosen for the second summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un

Led by the Communists but with capitalist inclinations, and Friend of the United States and North Korea, Vietnam It will host the next summit between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un on February 27th and 28th.

Like North Korea, Vietnam was once plunged into a bloody and bitter war with the United States. But unlike Pyongyang, Hanoi now counts Washington among its closest allies, after coming out of the ravages of war to become one of the fastest growing economies in Asiaand a diplomatically experienced country.

After the meeting in Singapore last June, Why was Vietnam chosen?

Vietnam meets many requirements. C & # 39; a short flight from Pyongyang for Kim, who also travels in an armored train.

As well It hosts the embbadies of both countries who can make arrangements before the summit.

Hanoi has friendly ties with both countries and it is considered a "neutral" territory, unlike, for example, the American state of Hawaii, which was also an option.

The Security In the communist country, it is already strictly normal, more for such an appointment.

Why Kim loves Vietnam?

Vietnam is one of the few countries with which North Korea has good relations. Diplomatic relations between Hanoi and Pyongyang date back to 1950 and North Korea sent air force personnel to the communist north during the Vietnam War.

The last North Korean leader to visit Vietnam was Kim Jong-un's grandfather, Kim Il Sung, in 1958.

While UN sanctions against Pyongyang resulted in a decline in trade, they reached $ 7 million in 2017 (6.1 million euros). Kim's trip to Vietnam, which will be his first, could be an opportunity to learn about the country's economic transformation.

Kim may be "interested in seeing the case of Vietnam personally, it can be a good source of inspiration and reflection to reflect on how North Korea should progress", badyzed The Hong Hiep, a Vietnamese expert from the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.

Washington Strategy
Vietnam could also be a place of strategic importance for the United States, which is currently engaged in a trade war with China, one of North Korea's closest allies.

Trump could use Vietnam for warn Beijing "North Korea is not in their hands and has a counterweight to Chinese influence in this area," said Cheon Seong Whun, visiting scholar at the Asan Institute of Studies. Seoul policies.

Washington is also ready to tell the story of Vietnam's economic success, like US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo during a visit to North Korea.

"Your country can copy this path. It's up to you if you enjoy the momentsaid Pompeo in comments to Kim.

Why does Hanoi want to host?
Vietnam is eager to show his diplomatic weight, having organized the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in 2017 and a regional meeting of the World Economic Forum last year.

The meeting of Trump and Kim could give results in more ways than one.

Organize the summit could strengthen "the status of Vietnam in the international community, which helps the country to attract tourism and foreign investment"Vu Minh Khuong, an badyst at the Singapore Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.

(With information from AFP)