Hanoi (VNA) – The upcoming DPRK-USA HanoiSummit Vietnam is a golden chance to promote Vietnamese tourism and enhance theimage of a safe, friendly and hospitable destination.

According to Deputy General Director of the Vietnam NationalAdministration of Tourism (VNAT) Ha Van Sieu, the second meeting between theDPRK and US leaders in Hanoi is significant event of global relevance.

The VNAT considers the event an opportunity for Vietnamesetourism to introduce the nation, people and tourist sites of Vietnam throughthe media, said Sieu.

The hosting of the meeting is expected to enhance Vietnam’sprestige in the eyes of international friends, helping attract more tourists tothe Southeast Asian country, he said.

Previously, Australian PM John Howard jogged around HoanKiem Lake during his stay for the 14th APEC Economic Leaders’Meeting, US President Barack Obama enjoyed “bun cha” at a small restaurant inLe Van Huu street and talked to a street vendor in Me Tri market. These storiesreflected a safe and hospitable Vietnam, stated Sieu.

Meanwhile, Hoang Nhan Chinh, head of the Secretariat of theVietnam Tourism Advisory Board, said the second DPRK-USA Summit will turnVietnam into the focus of the global media, giving a precious chance for tourismpromotion.

He advised the sector to pay greater attention toapproaching foreign reporters through free tours to popular destinations,giving them information for their stories.

Sieu said that to make full use of the historical chance,the VNAT has worked closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to introduceVietnamese tourism. The VNAT has prepared several video clips on tourist sites,food and heritage of Vietnam to send to foreign reporters.

Along with showcasing famous destinations of Vietnam at theInternational Media Centre in Hanoi, the VNAT has designed tours inside Hanoiand to Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay and Sapa for reporters, said Sieu.

At the same time, Chinh stressed the need to focus onattracting more tourists from the US following the summit by designing specialpolicies for them such as visa exemptions and opening a direct air routelinking the two countries.

Chinh underscored the need for the tourism sector to enhancethe quality of destinations. He also advised Hanoi and Da Nang – the citiesthat have hosted many world leaders - to expand meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) tourism, opening opportunitiesfor economic investment.-VNA