US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are holding their second ever summit on Wednesday and Thursday.

"On behalf of the government and people of Hanoi, I would like to thank President Trump and Chairman Kim for selecting Hanoi as the location for the second meeting. We are happy and honored to have been selected, and even more happy that it took place on the 20th anniversary of the recognition by UNESCO of Hanoi as the city for peace," Nguyen said.

The mayor noted that the city authorities had been tasked by the prime minister to provide logistics services, decorations and primarily security at all venues of the summit and other meetings on its sidelines to make it "a success." The official also pointed out that the event, which had drawn some 3,400 journalists from 39 different countries, was a good opportunity to promote the Vietnamese capital and its cultural heritage.

"It is a very good opportunity for us to communicate to the world the images and culture of Vietnam and Hanoi. This [is] also a very good opportunity for countries and people around the world to better understand the unique people and culture of Hanoi and Vietnam, and to understand more of the love that we have for peace. And we are hoping that the attention of the international community for the city and for Vietnam would increase after the events," he said.

Nguyen remarked that the city had been a host to many international events, including the summits of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and Association of Southeast Asian Nations, but usually had much more time to make necessary preparations.

"This time the biggest challenge was [having] two weeks available for preparation. I believe that we have been able to make the best preparations possible by mobilizing the whole political system to be involved. Also, we have been able to engage people and private sector in the preparation of the event," the mayor said.

The mayor pointed out that local entrepreneurs and craftsmen were encouraged to design summit-inspired souvenirs, while the Vietnamese ministry of information and communications unveiled special stamps commemorating the event on Tuesday.

Image: White House Twitter page