Possible hotels for Kim and Trump say their bookings are full, but security is not too tight yet
- 5 years ago
So with less than two weeks away from the second North Korea-U.S. summit.... Vietnam's foreign minister and protocol chief wrapped up their visit to the North on Thursday.
And now, we're expecting the two negotiating sides and Vietnam to put their summit preparations into high gear.
For more, let's connect to our Lee Ji-won, who is in the host city of Hanoi.
Ji-won, tell us where you are .... and do you see any signs that preparations have already started?
Ji-yoon, I'm standing in front of the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.
It's one of the places where North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is likely to stay during his summit with President Trump.
The security isn't tight here yet.
But when I asked the hotel reception about room availability, they said they cannot take reservations from February 25th to 28th, because it's almost full and also as they have (quote) "delegations staying here."
When I tried to confirm if she means the North Korean delegation will be staying in the hotel, she said it's confidential.
There are a number of other places that have been mentioned for Kim's stay, including the Melia Hanoi and the State Guest house that's located very close to the North Korean embassy.
But when we called the Melia Hanoi, they said the delegation will be staying elsewhere,... and neither seemed to have any ongoing preparations for a state leader's visit, from what we saw outside.
Now, yesterday we also went to the JW Marriott Hotel, that's where President Trump is widely expected to stay.
The security wasn't too tight there yet.
But we did have some difficulties.
We were approached by hotel personnel, telling us that we can only film the hotel close up with our phones.
The Vietnam National Convention Center, just next to JW Marriott, seemed to be tighter on security. It's speculated to be the summit venue,... but we were blocked from passing by the street next to it, or filming it.
Okay then Ji-won how is the atmosphere, are Vietnamese people excited for this historic event?
Well Ji-yoon we went to the North Korean embassy late last night, but there was no significant sign of preparations.
And, locals here don't really seem to be aware or that bothered of the upcoming summit
They all seem to be going about their daily lives.
That's all from me for now Ji-yoon but I'll be updating you throughout the day.
And now, we're expecting the two negotiating sides and Vietnam to put their summit preparations into high gear.
For more, let's connect to our Lee Ji-won, who is in the host city of Hanoi.
Ji-won, tell us where you are .... and do you see any signs that preparations have already started?
Ji-yoon, I'm standing in front of the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.
It's one of the places where North Korean leader Kim Jong-un is likely to stay during his summit with President Trump.
The security isn't tight here yet.
But when I asked the hotel reception about room availability, they said they cannot take reservations from February 25th to 28th, because it's almost full and also as they have (quote) "delegations staying here."
When I tried to confirm if she means the North Korean delegation will be staying in the hotel, she said it's confidential.
There are a number of other places that have been mentioned for Kim's stay, including the Melia Hanoi and the State Guest house that's located very close to the North Korean embassy.
But when we called the Melia Hanoi, they said the delegation will be staying elsewhere,... and neither seemed to have any ongoing preparations for a state leader's visit, from what we saw outside.
Now, yesterday we also went to the JW Marriott Hotel, that's where President Trump is widely expected to stay.
The security wasn't too tight there yet.
But we did have some difficulties.
We were approached by hotel personnel, telling us that we can only film the hotel close up with our phones.
The Vietnam National Convention Center, just next to JW Marriott, seemed to be tighter on security. It's speculated to be the summit venue,... but we were blocked from passing by the street next to it, or filming it.
Okay then Ji-won how is the atmosphere, are Vietnamese people excited for this historic event?
Well Ji-yoon we went to the North Korean embassy late last night, but there was no significant sign of preparations.
And, locals here don't really seem to be aware or that bothered of the upcoming summit
They all seem to be going about their daily lives.
That's all from me for now Ji-yoon but I'll be updating you throughout the day.