Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Ha Kim Ngoc (L) in an interview with Pham Huan, VOV correspondent in Washington DC

Mr. Ngoc said: “Vietnam has met all requirements for security, traveling, hospitality, and capability of hosting an international event. But other regional countries are also capable to meet these requirements by the US and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. So, why have they chosen Hanoi, a city of peace and the capital city of Vietnam? Because Vietnam is a “special catalyst” of the negotiation process between Pyongyang and Washington. In a nutshell, Vietnam is a symbol of desire for peace and reconciliation, a shift from confrontation to dialogue, from mutual mistrust to building trust, and from former foes to partners.”

Ambassador Ngoc said Vietnam wants to send a message of leaving the past behind, overcome differences, and looking forward to the future.