Trump-Kim summit: Vietnam aiming to cash in on ‘valuable’ event

Officials and analysts predict future economic gains as Vietnam steps up preparations to host second Trump-Kim meeting. pic.twitter.com/0BrsiVE5Gt — Al Jazeera English February 21, 2019 According to Phuong Hoa Nguyen, a deputy director at Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism, the effects of playing hosts to not only Trump and Kim, but also to the media circus coming to town, would allow the country to showcase its “dynamic development with a model of successful socioeconomic innovation, friendly people, rich cultural identity and heroic history”. 190219093156706 “We aim to attract 18 million international tourists in 2019 with a modest budget of $2m for promotional activities.” Nguyen acknowledged it was “difficult” to gauge how much Vietnam stood to benefit financially from the much-anticipated meeting, held eight months after the landmark summit between Trump and Kim in Singapore last year. “This event will also draw welcome attention to Vietnam and bring opportunities to boost the national economy.” ‘Your miracle’ Since Vietnam began its economic liberalisation programme in the mid-1980s, its income per person has risen 10-fold to more than $2,300, according to the World Bank, which rates it as “one of the most dynamic emerging countries in East Asia region”. It’s yours if you’ll seize the moment.” Eager to show off Vietnam’s successful economic rise, Pompeo added: “It can be your miracle in North Korea as well.” Huynh The Du, a lecturer in public policy at the School of Public Policy and Management, Fulbright University Vietnam, told Al Jazeera that hosting the summit would “create more trust for the international business and investment community”, as well as potentially boost its tourism industry.