The careful preparations for the second DPRK-USA Summit in all aspects, from reception and logistic services to security, health and communications, have proved that Vietnam is capable of hosting major international events, said a senior diplomat.

Foreign reporters at the International Media Centre for the second DPRK-USA Summit

The Korean and US embassies in Vietnam and many foreign reporters have evaluated that the International Media Centre (IMC) reaches international standards, meeting necessary operations of journalists, the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang told reporters.

The modern telecoms infrastructure and technical equipment installed at the IMC have helped domestic and foreign journalists to make the most complete, effective and fastest reports about the summit and related events, Hang said.

In particular, international reporters like dishes and specialties of Hanoi and Vietnam provided them free-of-charge for at the IMC, she added.

Located at the Friendship Culture Palace in downtown Hanoi, the IMC is capable of hosting more than 3,000 reporters at the same time. According to Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung, the organisers set up the IMC at the Friendship Culture Palace in order to facilitate journalists’ operations despite higher expenses as compared with other sites.

The centre is equipped with full modern facilities to serve reporters’ operations, such as photocopiers, broadband and wireless internet networks, electric systems, telecoms infrastructure and large screens to convey live signals from major events.

The organizers also installed as many as 30 2G, 3G and 4G stations at the IMC and hired 14 satellite television channels for international broadcasters to live broadcast from the centre.

Free public transportation services are provided for all reporters during the summit

During the working days for the summit, all reporters are also provided with free public transportation and taxi pickups at the IMC and the nearby Hanoi Railway Station.

Furthermore, free meals are offered to reporters working at the IMC with a variety of foods, including traditional Vietnamese dishes such as nem ran (fried rolls), pho (noodles with beef), bun cha (Vermicelli noodles with grilled pork).

Free meals are offered to reporters working at the IMC with a variety of foods

On the significance of hosting the summit, Hang said the selection of Vietnam to organize the event indicated the trust of the United States and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the international community in Vietnam as well as its improved position and role in the region and the world.

As a country having undergone wars, Vietnam and its people have understood better and treasured the value of peace more than anyone else, hence Vietnam desires and is trying its best to make contributions to the process of peace, reconciliation and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, the spokeswoman stressed.

Therefore, Vietnam wants to make positive and responsible contributions to the process of peace, reconciliation and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula, she said.

This is a golden chance for Hanoi in particular and Vietnam in general as a very large number of international reporters coming to cover the summit may help promote Vietnam’s foreign policy, development and reform achievements, as well as its image as a friendly country, a safe destination and a reliable partner with a lot of potential for economic, investment and tourism cooperation, Hang said.

Besides, provinces and cities where foreign delegations visit on this occasion can introduce their achievements and landscapes, thus promote their tourism potential, she added.-VNA