For Americans, Vietnam is a place associated with their country’s bloodiest war. It has entered their conscience once again due to the failed denuclearisation summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong un and President Donald Trump.

The stage was set for a second meet between the two world leaders in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi from February 27 to 28. The venue added more significance to the high stakes talks.

But the summit broke down without any official statements. North Korea had demanded the lifting of the US sanctions. Washington rejected the demands saying that sanctions would end when Pyongyang dismantles its nuclear sites.

Days after the talk, there are no clear signs of any progress in negotiations between the two camps.

But denuclearisation wasn’t the only thing that the Trump administration was trying to achieve in Hanoi. The other aim was to sell the ‘Vietnam Model of Development’ to North Korea.

Ahead of the summit, Trump had tweeted that North Korea would become an ‘economic rocket’. The US wanted to convince North Korea to divert funds from its nuclear programme to its tanking economy.

White House sought an example for the hermit nation closer to home. Vietnam, a communist country with a flourishing economy seemed to fit the bill for communist North Korea.

It was a different story that Vietnam was also an example of a small nation defeating a superpower.

But the ‘socialist-oriented market economy’ was not the sole reason for picking the South-East Asian nation. Both the US and North Korea have a shared history with Vietnam.

The two nations fought in the Vietnam War but on opposite sides. North Korea had backed anti-US and eventually victorious Vietcong forces.

The US- Vietnam relations improved significantly, years after the war. While Pyongyang still bears resentment against Washington for the Korean War (1950-53).

Post-war, Vietnam suffered from US economic sanctions.

But Vietnam’s economy continued to progress majorly due to the 1986 ‘Doi Moi’ liberalisation reforms, and partly because of the lifting of the US, UN and other international sanctions in the 1990s.

The Vietnam War ended in 1975 so what led to sanctions to be drawn for that long?

Shortly after independence, Vietnam engaged in a war with neighbouring Cambodia that ended in 1979. However, Vietnam’s occupation of Cambodia continued for a decade, until Hanoi decided to officially end hostilities to get rid of international sanctions.

The onus here somewhat lies with North Korea. In Vietnam’s case, sanctions were lifted after an end to aggression. It also remains to be seen if Trump would forgo sanctions in favour of the third summit with Kim Jong Un.

For Americans, Vietnam is a place associated with their country’s bloodiest war. It has entered their conscience once again due to the failed denuclearisation summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong un and President Donald Trump.

For Americans, Vietnam is a place associated with their country’s bloodiest war. It has entered their conscience once again due to the failed denuclearisation summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong un and President Donald Trump. The stage was set for a second meet between the two world leaders in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi from February 27 to 28. The venue added more significance to the high stakes talks. But the summit broke down without any official statements. North Korea had demanded the lifting of the US sanctions. Washington rejected the demands saying that sanctions would end when Pyongyang dismantles its nuclear sites. Days after the talk, there are no clear signs of any progress in negotiations between the two camps. But denuclearisation wasn’t the only thing that the Trump administration was trying to achieve in Hanoi. The other aim was to sell the ‘Vietnam Model of Development’ to North Korea. Ahead of the summit, Trump had tweeted that North Korea would become an ‘economic rocket’. The US wanted to convince North Korea to divert funds from its nuclear programme to its tanking economy. White House sought an example for the hermit nation closer to home. Vietnam, a communist country with a flourishing economy seemed to fit the bill for communist North Korea. It was a different story that Vietnam was also an example of a small nation defeating a superpower. But the ‘socialist-oriented market economy’ was not the sole reason for picking the South-East Asian nation. Both the US and North Korea have a shared history with Vietnam. The two nations fought in the Vietnam War but on opposite sides. North Korea had backed anti-US and eventually victorious Vietcong forces. The US- Vietnam relations improved significantly, years after the war. While Pyongyang still bears resentment against Washington for the Korean War (1950-53). Post-war, Vietnam suffered from US economic sanctions. But Vietnam’s economy continued to progress majorly due to the 1986 ‘Doi Moi’ liberalisation reforms, and partly because of the lifting of the US, UN and other international sanctions in the 1990s. The Vietnam War ended in 1975 so what led to sanctions to be drawn for that long? Shortly after independence, Vietnam engaged in a war with neighbouring Cambodia that ended in 1979. However, Vietnam’s occupation of Cambodia continued for a decade, until Hanoi decided to officially end hostilities to get rid of international sanctions. The onus here somewhat lies with North Korea. In Vietnam’s case, sanctions were lifted after an end to aggression. It also remains to be seen if Trump would forgo sanctions in favour of the third summit with Kim Jong Un.

Donald Trump-Kim Jong un summit's other aim was to sell ‘Vietnam model’ to North Korea

More than a dozen prominent Vietnamese political activists say police have stepped up surveillance and prevented them from leaving their homes in Hanoi as the Vietnamese capital hosts a summit between the leaders of the United States and North Korea.

Despite sweeping economic and social reforms in Vietnam, the ruling Communist Party retains tight controls on media and does not tolerate criticism.&nbsp;

Hosting the second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been seen as a public relations coup for Vietnam and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said security should be a top priority.

Hanoi has branded itself a "city for peace" for hosting the summit.&nbsp;

Nguyen Chi Tuyen, an activist known as Anh Chi, said security officials had been stationed outside his house for two days.&nbsp;

"They follow me everywhere I go and warn me that I may be detained if I cross the river into the (city) centre," he told Reuters on Wednesday.

Police told him they will guard his house until March 1 and not to take photos of them, he added.&nbsp;

Vietnam`s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump and Kim meet on Wednesday evening at Hanoi`s French-colonial-era Metropole Hotel for the start their second summit in less than a year, seeking to break a stalemate over the North`s nuclear weapons.&nbsp;

Dao Thu Hue, a Chinese teacher at a university in Hanoi known for her anti-communist protests, said police started restricting her movements on Tuesday evening. Her house is often sealed off during major events.

"This time they are tighter and very determined. They don`t say why they are blocking my house, only say `we are following orders`," Hue said.

Bui Hang, an activist based in the southern city of Vung Tau, told Reuters someone had padlocked her door from the outside and glued it in place.

Some other activists said they managed to strike compromises with security officers.&nbsp;

"I have been under guard for several days but there is still room to negotiate," said activist La Dung, speaking as he was riding on the back a local security officer`s motorbike on his way to play a game of tennis.&nbsp;

"They said tennis is OK, but other things is a no," Dung laughed.

Activist Mai Phuong Thao, known as Thao Teresa, said she has been prevented from leaving her house since Monday.

Police looked into her house several times a day to see if she was there or to hear her voice, but she said she has her own way to leave the house when she needs to.

Singer and activist Mai Khoi posted a video of herself on Twitter sticking her middle finger up as Trump`s motorcade was passed on Tuesday night with a caption "Peace on you, Trump!".

Last time Trump was in Vietnam in 2017, she held a poster that said "Piss on you Trump".

She was locked inside her house for several hours after that protest.

More than a dozen prominent Vietnamese political activists say police have stepped up surveillance and prevented them from leaving their homes in Hanoi as the Vietnamese capital hosts a summit between the leaders of the United States and North Korea.

More than a dozen prominent Vietnamese political activists say police have stepped up surveillance and prevented them from leaving their homes in Hanoi as the Vietnamese capital hosts a summit between the leaders of the United States and North Korea. Despite sweeping economic and social reforms in Vietnam, the ruling Communist Party retains tight controls on media and does not tolerate criticism. Hosting the second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been seen as a public relations coup for Vietnam and Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has said security should be a top priority. Hanoi has branded itself a "city for peace" for hosting the summit. Nguyen Chi Tuyen, an activist known as Anh Chi, said security officials had been stationed outside his house for two days. "They follow me everywhere I go and warn me that I may be detained if I cross the river into the (city) centre," he told Reuters on Wednesday. Police told him they will guard his house until March 1 and not to take photos of them, he added. Vietnam`s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump and Kim meet on Wednesday evening at Hanoi`s French-colonial-era Metropole Hotel for the start their second summit in less than a year, seeking to break a stalemate over the North`s nuclear weapons. Dao Thu Hue, a Chinese teacher at a university in Hanoi known for her anti-communist protests, said police started restricting her movements on Tuesday evening. Her house is often sealed off during major events. "This time they are tighter and very determined. They don`t say why they are blocking my house, only say `we are following orders`," Hue said. Bui Hang, an activist based in the southern city of Vung Tau, told Reuters someone had padlocked her door from the outside and glued it in place. Some other activists said they managed to strike compromises with security officers. "I have been under guard for several days but there is still room to negotiate," said activist La Dung, speaking as he was riding on the back a local security officer`s motorbike on his way to play a game of tennis. "They said tennis is OK, but other things is a no," Dung laughed. Activist Mai Phuong Thao, known as Thao Teresa, said she has been prevented from leaving her house since Monday. Police looked into her house several times a day to see if she was there or to hear her voice, but she said she has her own way to leave the house when she needs to. Singer and activist Mai Khoi posted a video of herself on Twitter sticking her middle finger up as Trump`s motorcade was passed on Tuesday night with a caption "Peace on you, Trump!". Last time Trump was in Vietnam in 2017, she held a poster that said "Piss on you Trump". She was locked inside her house for several hours after that protest.

Vietnamese activists say police restrict movements during Trump-Kim summit

US President Donald <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-predicts-awesome-future-for-north-korea-if-kim-jong-un-gives-up-nukes-199965">Trump hailed North Korea</a>`s "awesome" potential on Wednesday and said its leader, Kim Jong Un, wanted to do something great, hours before they were due to meet to try to break a stalemate over the North`s nuclear weapons.

Despite little progress on his goal of ridding North Korea of its weapons programmes, Trump appeared to be betting on his personal relationship with North Korea`s young leader, and the economic incentive after 70 years of hostility between their countries.

"<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-meets-vietnamese-president-nguyen-phu-trong-before-second-north-korea-summit-199964">Vietnam</a> is thriving like few places on earth. North Korea would be the same, and very quickly, if it would denuclearise," Trump said on Twitter, the morning after he arrived in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi for a second summit with Kim.

"The potential is AWESOME, a great opportunity, like almost none other in history, for my friend Kim Jong Un. We will know fairly soon - Very Interesting!" 
He later said he was looking forward to the talks with Kim and hoped for success. "He wants to do something great," he said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/i-like-trump-more-than-kim-because-he-is-rich-powerful-says-vietnams-resident-ahead-of-summit-199974">Trump and Kim </a>will meet at the Metropole hotel at 6:30 p.m. (1130 GMT) for a 20-minute, one-on-one chat followed by a dinner with aides, the White House said.

Trump would be accompanied by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. Kim will be joined by his top envoy, Kim Yong Chol, and Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho.

The elegant interior of the 118-year-old Metropole thronged with security and diplomatic personnel from both sides - some snapping pictures - as hotel staff set up tables in a hotel lounge bar.

On Thursday, the two leaders will hold "a series of back and forth" meetings, the White House said. The venue has not been announced.

Trump said late last year he and Kim "fell in love", and on the eve of his departure for the second summit said they had developed "a very, very good relationship".

Whether the bonhomie can move them beyond summit pageantry to substantive progress on eliminating Pyongyang`s nuclear arsenal that threatens the United States is the question that will dominate the talks.

Trump met Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong at the grand, colonial-era presidential palace in the morning to oversee the formal signing of deals by Vietnamese carriers VietJet and Bamboo Airways with Boeing Co to buy 110 planes worth more than $15 billion.&nbsp;

He later met Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc for lunch.

PRESSURE

At their historic first summit in Singapore last June, Trump and Kim pledged to work toward denuclearisation and permanent peace on the Korean peninsula. North and South Korea have been technically at war since their 1950-53 conflict, with the Americans backing the South, ended in a truce, not a treaty.

That first meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader ended with great fanfare but little substance over how to dismantle North Korea`s nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles.

This time, both sides are likely to feel pressure to agree on specific measures - what concrete steps North Korea will take to give up the weapons, and what the United States will offer in return.

While the United States is demanding North Korea give up all of its nuclear and missile programmes, the North wants to see the removal of a US nuclear umbrella for South Korea.

US intelligence officials have said there is no sign North Korea will ever give up its entire arsenal of nuclear weapons, which it sees as its guarantee of national security. Analysts say it won`t commit to significant disarmament unless punishing US-led economic sanctions are eased.&nbsp;

In the run-up to the summit, Trump has indicated a more flexible stance, saying he was in no rush to secure North Korea`s denuclearisation. He has held out the prospect of easing sanctions if North Korea does something "meaningful".

The two sides have discussed specific and verifiable denuclearisation measures, such as allowing inspectors to observe the dismantlement of North Korea`s Yongbyon nuclear reactor, US and South Korean officials say.

US concessions could include opening liaison offices, declaring an end to the technical state of the Korean War or clearing the way for inter-Korean projects.

Any deal will face scrutiny from American lawmakers and other sceptics who doubt North Korea is willing to give up the weapons, and who worry a compromise could squander US leverage and undermine regional interests.

`STOP TALKING`

Trump derides the doubters, citing a freeze in North Korea`s nuclear and missile tests since 2017, and saying the United States would have gone to war with North Korea if he had not been president.

"The Democrats should stop talking about what I should do with North Korea and ask themselves instead why they didn’t do “it” during eight years of the Obama Administration?" he said on Twitter.

Whatever the outcome, the summit should boost Kim`s bid to end his country`s pariah status - despite its dire record on human rights - and cement his place, both on the world stage and at home.

As the third-generation leader of one of the world`s most impoverished and isolated nations, Kim will again stand as an equal to the president of the world`s most powerful country.

For Trump, a deal that eases the North Korean threat could hand him a big foreign-policy achievement in the midst of domestic troubles.

While he is in Hanoi, his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen is testifying before US congressional committees, with the president`s business practices the main focus.

Cohen, in testimony he is due to deliver on Wednesday, refers to a comment Trump made to him about avoiding the US military draft for the Vietnam War on medical grounds: "`You think I`m stupid, I wasn`t going to Vietnam`," Cohen cites Trump as saying.

"I find it ironic, President Trump, that you are in Vietnam right now," Cohen said, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters.

US President Donald Trump hailed North Korea`s "awesome" potential on Wednesday and said its leader, Kim Jong Un, wanted to do something great, hours before they were due to meet to try to break a stalemate over the North`s nuclear weapons.

US President Donald Trump hailed North Korea`s "awesome" potential on Wednesday and said its leader, Kim Jong Un, wanted to do something great, hours before they were due to meet to try to break a stalemate over the North`s nuclear weapons. Despite little progress on his goal of ridding North Korea of its weapons programmes, Trump appeared to be betting on his personal relationship with North Korea`s young leader, and the economic incentive after 70 years of hostility between their countries. "Vietnam is thriving like few places on earth. North Korea would be the same, and very quickly, if it would denuclearise," Trump said on Twitter, the morning after he arrived in the Vietnamese capital of Hanoi for a second summit with Kim. "The potential is AWESOME, a great opportunity, like almost none other in history, for my friend Kim Jong Un. We will know fairly soon - Very Interesting!" He later said he was looking forward to the talks with Kim and hoped for success. "He wants to do something great," he said. Trump and Kim will meet at the Metropole hotel at 6:30 p.m. (1130 GMT) for a 20-minute, one-on-one chat followed by a dinner with aides, the White House said. Trump would be accompanied by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and acting Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney. Kim will be joined by his top envoy, Kim Yong Chol, and Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho. The elegant interior of the 118-year-old Metropole thronged with security and diplomatic personnel from both sides - some snapping pictures - as hotel staff set up tables in a hotel lounge bar. On Thursday, the two leaders will hold "a series of back and forth" meetings, the White House said. The venue has not been announced. Trump said late last year he and Kim "fell in love", and on the eve of his departure for the second summit said they had developed "a very, very good relationship". Whether the bonhomie can move them beyond summit pageantry to substantive progress on eliminating Pyongyang`s nuclear arsenal that threatens the United States is the question that will dominate the talks. Trump met Vietnamese President Nguyen Phu Trong at the grand, colonial-era presidential palace in the morning to oversee the formal signing of deals by Vietnamese carriers VietJet and Bamboo Airways with Boeing Co to buy 110 planes worth more than $15 billion. He later met Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc for lunch. PRESSURE At their historic first summit in Singapore last June, Trump and Kim pledged to work toward denuclearisation and permanent peace on the Korean peninsula. North and South Korea have been technically at war since their 1950-53 conflict, with the Americans backing the South, ended in a truce, not a treaty. That first meeting between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader ended with great fanfare but little substance over how to dismantle North Korea`s nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles. This time, both sides are likely to feel pressure to agree on specific measures - what concrete steps North Korea will take to give up the weapons, and what the United States will offer in return. While the United States is demanding North Korea give up all of its nuclear and missile programmes, the North wants to see the removal of a US nuclear umbrella for South Korea. US intelligence officials have said there is no sign North Korea will ever give up its entire arsenal of nuclear weapons, which it sees as its guarantee of national security. Analysts say it won`t commit to significant disarmament unless punishing US-led economic sanctions are eased. In the run-up to the summit, Trump has indicated a more flexible stance, saying he was in no rush to secure North Korea`s denuclearisation. He has held out the prospect of easing sanctions if North Korea does something "meaningful". The two sides have discussed specific and verifiable denuclearisation measures, such as allowing inspectors to observe the dismantlement of North Korea`s Yongbyon nuclear reactor, US and South Korean officials say. US concessions could include opening liaison offices, declaring an end to the technical state of the Korean War or clearing the way for inter-Korean projects. Any deal will face scrutiny from American lawmakers and other sceptics who doubt North Korea is willing to give up the weapons, and who worry a compromise could squander US leverage and undermine regional interests. `STOP TALKING` Trump derides the doubters, citing a freeze in North Korea`s nuclear and missile tests since 2017, and saying the United States would have gone to war with North Korea if he had not been president. "The Democrats should stop talking about what I should do with North Korea and ask themselves instead why they didn’t do “it” during eight years of the Obama Administration?" he said on Twitter. Whatever the outcome, the summit should boost Kim`s bid to end his country`s pariah status - despite its dire record on human rights - and cement his place, both on the world stage and at home. As the third-generation leader of one of the world`s most impoverished and isolated nations, Kim will again stand as an equal to the president of the world`s most powerful country. For Trump, a deal that eases the North Korean threat could hand him a big foreign-policy achievement in the midst of domestic troubles. While he is in Hanoi, his former personal lawyer Michael Cohen is testifying before US congressional committees, with the president`s business practices the main focus. Cohen, in testimony he is due to deliver on Wednesday, refers to a comment Trump made to him about avoiding the US military draft for the Vietnam War on medical grounds: "`You think I`m stupid, I wasn`t going to Vietnam`," Cohen cites Trump as saying. "I find it ironic, President Trump, that you are in Vietnam right now," Cohen said, according to a draft statement seen by Reuters.

Trump hails North Korea's 'awesome' potential ahead of talks with Kim

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday he was dispatching a team to make preparations for the next summit between<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/north-koreas-kim-discusses-expected-summit-with-trump-in-talks-in-china-report-189075"> President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim</a> Jong Un to be held somewhere in Asia late in February.

In an interview with Fox News Channel, Pompeo said the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/trump-says-us-nkorea-negotiating-on-location-for-next-kim-summit-188593">North Koreans had agreed the second </a>summit between the two leaders would be held at the end of February.

Pompeo did not name the summit venue. Vietnam had said last week it had not been informed about any time or venue for a possible Trump-Kim summit, but that it was confident in its ability to host such a meeting.

Officials and diplomats had said two weeks ago that Vietnam was keen to host the summit and two sources told Reuters that Hanoi was preparing to receive Kim on a state visit.

Singapore, where Trump and Kim met in June, and Bangkok have also been talked about as possibilities for the planned summit.

Last June's summit - the first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader - produced a vague commitment by Kim to work toward the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, but he has yet to take what Washington sees as concrete steps in that direction.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday he was dispatching a team to make preparations for the next summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to be held somewhere in Asia late in February.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on Wednesday he was dispatching a team to make preparations for the next summit between President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un to be held somewhere in Asia late in February. In an interview with Fox News Channel, Pompeo said the North Koreans had agreed the second summit between the two leaders would be held at the end of February. Pompeo did not name the summit venue. Vietnam had said last week it had not been informed about any time or venue for a possible Trump-Kim summit, but that it was confident in its ability to host such a meeting. Officials and diplomats had said two weeks ago that Vietnam was keen to host the summit and two sources told Reuters that Hanoi was preparing to receive Kim on a state visit. Singapore, where Trump and Kim met in June, and Bangkok have also been talked about as possibilities for the planned summit. Last June's summit - the first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader - produced a vague commitment by Kim to work toward the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula, but he has yet to take what Washington sees as concrete steps in that direction.

Trump-Kim summit to be held somewhere in Asia in late February: Pompeo

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Donald Trump-Kim Jong un summit's other aim was to sell ‘Vietnam model’ to North Korea

Vietnamese activists say police restrict movements during Trump-Kim summit

Trump hails North Korea's 'awesome' potential ahead of talks with Kim

Trump-Kim summit to be held somewhere in Asia in late February: Pompeo