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Hanoi, Vietnam – While the capital of Vietnam is preparing to host the second US-North Korea summit, it is not only the enhanced security, the sold-out hotels and the flags fluttering across Hanoi that mark the day. 39; event.
The bars also serve drinks called "Peace Negroniations", inspired by the popular Negroni badtail; the stores sell T-shirts with the faces of Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un; and even hairdressers offer free haircuts to those wishing to replicate the hairstyles of the respective leaders of the United States and North Korea.
With the preparations for the February 27 and 28 talks in full swing, the general atmosphere in the crowded streets of Hanoi seems to be a mixture of fear and pride – even if, for some, the fury and the attention around the summit is an unwanted distraction from everyday life.
"I deliver my products home to the city," Vu Van Dong, a 28-year-old farmer, told Al Jazeera.
"Since the streets will be blocked for the summit, it will have a negative impact on my business, but I'm still in favor of hosting it because it will help the world to stay safer."
This Vietnamese hairdresser will offer you a Kim or Trump haircut for free before the Hanoi summit. pic.twitter.com/0BrsiVE5Gt
– Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) February 21, 2019
According to Phuong Hoa Nguyen, deputy director of the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism, playing hosts not only at Trump and Kim, but also at the media circus coming to town, would allow the country to show its "dynamic ". development with a successful socio-economic innovation model, friendly people, a rich cultural identity and a heroic history ".
"This is an excellent opportunity to promote Vietnam as an attractive and safe destination for tourism and investment," said Nguyen to Al Jazeera.
"Our goal is to attract 18 million international tourists in 2019 with a modest budget of $ 2 million for promotional activities."
Nguyen acknowledged that it was "difficult" to badess how Vietnam would benefit financially from the long-awaited meeting, held eight months after the historic summit between Trump and Kim in Singapore last year.
"Singapore has invested about S $ 20 million ($ 14.8 million) in the organization of the first Trump-Kim summit and has gained nearly 40 times that amount in its economy," Nguyen said.
But in addition to the monetary benefits, the spotlight and enthusiasm accompanying the high-profile discussions was "invaluable" for Vietnam, Nguyen added.
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| Preparations are in full swing in the streets of Hanoi for the summit [Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters] |
In anticipation of the upcoming two-day talks, which will be held in a location that has not yet been announced, security at the airport has been maximized. Additional security officers were also placed in public areas and restricted areas in Hanoi.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired earlier this month a meeting to review the provisions of the summit, which he described as "an important international event of particular interest to the international community and its views".
The summit has also become a major topic of discussion among people of different ages and interests, eliciting a wide range of responses.
"I do not care about this event because the role of Vietnam is simply to lend the place," said Tran Thanh Nga, 29, Al Jazeera.
But Location, a 90-year-old resident of Hanoi, is "excited and honored", his city was chosen as host.
"I am aware of the summit every day through television," said Lieu. "This event will also draw attention to Vietnam and bring opportunities to boost the national economy."
& # 39; Your miracle & # 39;
Since Vietnam launched its economic liberalization program in the mid-1980s, its per capita income has increased ten-fold to more than $ 2,300, according to the World Bank. as "one of the most dynamic emerging countries of the East Asian region".
The economy as a whole grew by 11% last year, its fastest expansion in more than 10 years.
During a visit to Vietnam last year, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, in a statement to Kim, said: "Your country can replicate this path. yours if you seize this moment. "
Eager to show the success of Vietnam's economic boom, Pompeo added, "It can also be your miracle in North Korea."
Huynh The Du, lecturer in public policy at the Faculty of Public Policy and Management of Fulbright University in Vietnam, told Al Jazeera that organizing the summit "would create more trust for the world of business and international investors ", as well as potentially strengthen its tourism industry.
"If Vietnam is able to consolidate its position to become a privileged place or trusted partner for parties to meet and negotiate by reinforcing its neutrality and user-friendliness, the benefits will last for a long time," Du said. "Otherwise, the effects may be gone soon."
In recent years, Vietnam has hosted major international events, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit of 2017 and an Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting in 2018.
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| Howard X, a Kim look-alike, and Russell White, a Trump imitator, pose for a photo at the Hanoi Metropolis Hotel. [Jorge Silva/Reuters] |
Back in the streets of Hanoi, locals and tourists have already seen almost Trump and Kim, while two imitators taking advantage of their resemblance to the two leaders began to walk in the city just before the scheduled talks.
Howard X, an Australian, uses his probabilities with the North Korean leader when he appeared in Singapore for the summit last year. He was also present at the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea.
Russell White, the Trump look-alike, posed for Howard near the Metropole Hotel with Howard before being chased by security guards.
The couple was released by the Vietnamese authorities on Saturday after being questioned by the authorities.
Additional report by Hoai Thu Le
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