Free tours for international media during DPRK-US Hanoi Summit

The two travel agencies will offer a variety of tours to international journalists covering the summit

The second North Korea-US Summit takes place on February 27-28, expecting to lure some 3,000 international journalists and reporters from news agencies of 40 countries and territories arriving to Hanoi, including Reuters, AP, AFP, CNN, CBS, ABC, NBC, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, NHK, KBS, and Yonhap.

On the occasion of this historic event, the VNAT and the VITA have designated Saigontourist and Hanoitourist to organise free tours for international press in order to promote tourism in Vietnam.

Specifically, from February 25 to March 2, Hanoitourist will introduce five attractive free tourism products exclusively for international journalists and reporters, consisting of a bus route visiting the capital Hanoi, stopping at five museums in the city for reporters to learn more about the culture as well as life in Hanoi and Vietnam.

International journalists and reporters can also discover the Old Quarter of Hanoi with a vintage polaroid. They can register for the tour in advance and will be provided with a camera to explore the city.

Art lovers are offered tours to famous museums in Vietnam, while coffee-lovers can tour famous cafés in Hanoi. Additionally, journalists can visit the Trang An-Bai Dinh complex in the northern province of Ninh Binh province.

Meanwhile, Saigontourist Travel Company introduces four free tours for foreign journalists, including visiting Duong Lam ancient village; exploring craft villages in Hanoi; exploring the Old Quarter; and tours to UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site Halong Bay.

Previously, Yen Vien Bus of Hanoi Transport and Services Corporation (Transerco) has opened free double-decker bus tours for international reporters. This bus line was officially launched on the morning of February 25 and attracted reporters from Korea and Japan, taking alluring images of Hanoi to international media.

According to the VNAT, the International Media Centre at 91 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hoan Kiem district, in addition to providing multimedia information about Vietnam and its people as well as popular destinations and the diverse cultures found in different areas, will also offer free handicraft souvenirs for international journalists and reporters at the exhibition space, such as conical hats and Dong Ho paintings.

Many travel agencies also expressed willingness to organise free tours, including transportation to accommodations serving international press. Journalists and reporters covering the summit can register for free trips to discover Vietnam later on.

The historic summit is also a “historic opportunity” for Vietnam’s tourism industry as the event draws global attention. According to deputy general director of the VNAT Ha Van Sieu, Vietnam is therefore making every effort to take advantage of the opportunity to introduce and promote the beauty of the country and its stunning landscapes, rich culture, and friendly people, highlighting it as an attractive and safe destination.