Trump-Kim summit in Hanoi: Foreign reporters to get free tours of northern Vietnam attractions

The Vietnam National Tourism Administration (VNAT) has announced that the reporters will be able to register for free visits to popular tourist destinations in northern Vietnam, including Hanoi, Ninh Binh and the world-famous Ha Long Bay.


The reporters are in town to cover the second summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday next week.

Around 2,600 journalists from news agencies around the world, including prominent ones like Reuters, AP, AFP, NHK and Yonhap have reached Hanoi to cover the historic meeting.

The free tours, to be arranged by leading travel agency Saigontourist, is an effort to give Vietnamese tourism a boost.

Ha Van Sieu, deputy head of VNAT, said the Trump-Kim summit was a "historic opportunity" for Vietnam’s tourism as the event is the center of global attention.

"Vietnam should take advantage of this opportunity to promote the image of the country as a beautiful, peaceful and friendly destination," Sieu said.

A report published last year by the United Nations World Tourism Organization ranked Vietnam’s tourism growth the fourth highest in the world.