Pyongyang seeks partial, not total, sanctions relief in exchange for closing its main nuclear plant, says N Korean FM.

Vietnam‘s Hanoi hosted the second summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

The two leaders held a landmark summit in Singapore last year, the first between a sitting US president and a North Korean leader.

The meeting between Kim and Trump broke up in disarray on Thursday, with a signing ceremony cancelled and no joint communique issued.

Here are all the latest updates as of:

Friday, March 1

North Korea offers more talks after nuclear no-deal in Hanoi

North Korea promised further negotiations with the US as both sides sought to hold open the door while staking out their positions after negotiations ended abruptly.

Despite the failure to reach a deal, the North’s official KCNA news agency reported President Donald Trump and leader Kim Jong Un had a “constructive and candid exchange”.

Trump challenged the North Koreans to offer more or “go all in”, but Kim would not agree, a US official at the talks said afterward.

Trump said there had been a proposed agreement “ready to be signed”. However, he said after the summit was cut short: “Sometimes you have to walk.”

The demise of the talks came after Trump and Kim had appeared ready to inch toward normalising relations between their still technically warring nations.

South Korea vows to work with Pyongyang and Washington to keep talks alive

South Korea will work with the United States and North Korea to ensure they reach agreement on denuclearisation, South Korea’s president said.

Moon Jae-in has been an active supporter of efforts to end confrontation on the Korean Peninsula, meeting Kim three times last year and trying to facilitate his nuclear negotiations with the US.

Moon pledged to keep working with both sides a day after talks collapsed.

“My administration will closely communicate and cooperate with the United States and North Korea so as to help their talks reach a complete settlement by any means,” Moon said in a speech in the South Korean capital, Seoul.

Thursday, February 28:

Trump critics blast ‘disappointing’ summit, supporters hail decision to walk away

Ben Cardin, a Democratic Party senator, says the outcome of the Trump-Kim summit “was very disappointing”, calling for the involvement of more US allies to ramp up pressure on North Korea.

“We have now two summits and we’ve gotten no declaration of their nuclear programme or commitment to end it that’s meaningful,” Cardin tells Al Jazeera.

“You have to restructure the discussions,” he adds. “You’ve got to bring in more of our allies, particularly the players in the region, to put more pressure on North Korea.

190228195223893

However, Lindsey Graham, Republican senator and a Trump ally, says the president’s decision to cut the summit short and walk away “sends the right signal”. It shows the US is unhappy “that [the North Koreans] are not moving, not giving up their nuclear programme”, he says.

“We are not looking at partial denuclearisation,” says Graham. “We are looking at complete denuclearisation in return for security guarantees and economic assistance and so we are not going to relieve sanctions at the beginning. We’ve tried that before.”

White House: US will ‘continue conversation’ on N Korea

Sarah Sanders, the White House press secretary, says Trump spoke by phone with the leaders of South Korea and Japan and told them the US will continue to work with them and talk to North Korea.

Trump spoke to South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe from Air Force One as he flies home from Vietnam, Sanders tells reporters aboard the flight.

“He told them he will continue the conversation,” says Sanders.

Want context for nuclear negotiations with North Korea? This episode of our #nukesofhazard #podcast dives into the 1994 agreement that curbed its nuclear ambitions for eight years, featuring @JBWolfsthal, @Joel_Wit38 & Amb. Robert Gallucci. #HanoiSummit https://t.co/5dAOHzwoG1 — Nukes of Hazard (@nukes_of_hazard) February 28, 2019

Ri Yong Ho: US rejected N Korea’s ‘realistic proposal’, asked for one more step

North Korea says the US rejected its proposal to dismantle the Yongbyon nuclear complex and demanded Pyongyang take further disarmament steps.

Ri Yong Ho, North Korea’s foreign minister, describes the proposal to close Yongbyon as “the biggest denuclearisation measure we could take” and says Pyongyang also “expressed our intent to make commitments to a permanent halt of nuclear testing and long range rocket tests in written form”.

But Washington insisted on “one more” measure, making it “crystal clear that the US was not ready to accept” the North Korean proposal, he tells a hastily arranged news conference in Hanoi.

North Korea Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho, center, talks during a press conference at Melia Hotel in Hanoi [Vincent Yu/ AP]

“It is difficult to say if there might be a better agreement than our proposal at the current stage,” he says.

Washington wasted an opportunity that “may not come again,” he says, adding that the North’s position will not change even if the US offers to resume another round of dialogue.

North Korea says it sought partial, not total, sanctions relief

Ri Yong Ho, North Korea’s foreign minister, says Pyongyang sought partial, not complete, sanctions relief during Thursday’s summit, in remarks that dispute Trump’s accounts of why the talks collapsed.

“We offered a realistic proposal in this meeting,” Ri tells reporters in Hanoi.

He adds: “If the US removes partial sanctions, namely those that hamper the civilian economy and the livelihood of our people in particular, we will permanently and completely dismantle all the nuclear material production facilities in the Yongbyon area, including plutonium and uranium in the presence of US experts and by the joint work of technicians from both countries.”

North Korean foreign minister holds news conference in Hanoi

North Korean Foreign Minister Ri Yong Ho is holding a news conference at the Melia Hotel in Hanoi after the summit between Kim and Trump ended without a deal.

Analyst: US, N Korea must ‘quickly, publicly’ reaffirm commitment to diplomacy

Mintaro Oba, a former US diplomat, cautions against “overstating the negative significance” of the no-deal summit between Trump and Kim in Hanoi.

Praising the US’ continued commitment to diplomacy, the Washington DC-based analyst tells Al Jazeera he expects to see “see efforts at working level negotiations that will hopefully produce greater progress down the line”.

190228054130239

Calling for talks between top US and North Korean diplomats, he adds: “It’s imperative for the US and North Korea to quickly and publicly reaffirm their commitment to diplomacy and schedule talks … and demonstrate to the world there is continued momentum behind North Korea diplomacy.”

The “perception that this summit was a failure” will be damaging for Trump in the US as he has built a brand among his supporters as a dealmaker, adds Oba.





‘Impossible to solve in one go’: China, Russia react to summit collapse

China says the US and North Korea must “meet each other halfway” after Trump and Kim failed to reach an agreement during their nuclear summit in Vietnam.

Lu Kang, spokesperson for Chinese foreign ministry, says the situation in the Korean Peninsula experienced a significant “turnaround” over the past year, a “hard-won result” that is worth cherishing.

Washington and Pyongyang have returned to the correct path towards a political settlement, which is “the only way out”, he adds.

190228004711797

In Moscow, Dmitry Peskov, spokesperson for the Kremlin, says talks appear to have failed because the parties were unwilling to compromise and make concessions.

He tells reporters Russia is encouraged by the fact the negotiations did not break down completely, but laments the lack of “small steps” and flexibility that could have helped to achieve some progress.

The North Korean nuclear program is a complicated issue that is “impossible to solve in one go”, he says.

So what have these two ground-breaking summits actually achieved? Softened hostilities ✅

Halt to NK nuclear testing ✅

Opened lines of communication ✅ Progress not to be sniffed at, but even together, these aren’t the successes the White House would have wanted. — Alistair Bunkall (@AliBunkallSKY) February 28, 2019

Abe backs Trump’s decision to walk away from talks

Japan is calling for its own summit with North Korea [File: Eugene Hoshiko/AP Photo]

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says he fully backs Trump’s decision to walk away from making an agreement with Kim.

“I fully support President Trump’s decision not to make the easy choice,” Abe says, following a telephone call with Trump.

190218085447385

“I am determined that I must meet Chairman Kim next,” he adds, repeating his desire to hold his own summit with Kim to resolve long-standing differences between Tokyo and Pyongyang.

Abe also adds that Trump took up the issue of past abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korea during his meeting with Kim, according to a Japanese government source.

Abe has said Japan would not normalise diplomatic ties with Pyongyand or provide economic assistance until North Korea gave a full account of all those taken and return any abductees who are still alive.

Read our story about why Japan wants to talk to North Korea here.

Summit outcome ‘regrettable’: Seoul

South Korea says it regrets that no deal was reached at the summit, but acknowledged that progress has been made.

The country’s presidential office, known as the Blue House, says in a statement that Trump and Kim made “more meaningful progress than ever”, and that Trump’s willingness to continue dialogue would improve prospects for another meeting.

190222132156885

“We note that the two leaders have expanded the scope and depth of their understanding of each other’s prospects for another summit.

“We hope that the United States and North Korea will continue to have active dialogues on various levels going forward on the basis of the discussion results from this summit,” Seoul says.

Trump says there are no commitments to another summit between himself and Kim, but stresses that talks with continue between the two countries’ delegations.

Trump leaves Vietnam

Trump has not committed to another summit with Kim [Evan Vucci/AP Photo]

Trump leaves Vietnam to return to Washington DC after summit with North Korea’s Kim.

He says South Korea’s President Moon Jae-in will be among the first people he calls once aboard Air Force One.

The US leader adds he will also call Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe shortly.

THANK YOU to our generous hosts in Hanoi this week: President Trong, Prime Minister Phuc, and the wonderful people of Vietnam! pic.twitter.com/AMqF0dfRhP — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 28, 2019

North Korean delegation leaves for China, Kim set to begin Vietnam visit

North Korea’s delegation, led by Vice Minister Ri Kil-Song leaves for China, according to the state run Korean Central News Agency.

Meanwhile, Kim is preparing to begin an official two-day visit to Vietnam on Friday. Details of Kim’s schedule in the Southeast Asian country are yet to be released.

Kim, Trump discussed dismantling Yongbyon plant

The Yongbyon nuclear plant has produced plutonium for nuclear weapons [File: Kyodo/Reuters]

Trump says he and Kim discussed dismantling North Korea’s main nuclear facility at Yongbyon.

Kim was willing to shut down the plant but wanted sanctions relief that the US was not prepared to offer, Trump adds.

About 100km north of the North Korean capital, Pyongyang, the plant has produced plutonium used in nuclear weapons, as well as providing domestic electricity supply.

As part of the Inter-Korean summit between Kim and South Korean President Moon Jae-in in 2018, Pyongyang agreed it would only dismantle Yongbyon if the US reduced sanctions.

Trump: Papers were ‘ready to be signed’

Papers were “ready to be signed” on Thursday, Trump says, stressing that an agreement could have been reached as scheduled but it was preferable to continue negotiations.

“I want to do it right. I’d much rather do it right than do it fast,” he tells reporters.

Trump adds that the North Korean issue should have been resolved by previous administrations but says the US is now “positioned to do something very special”.

Kim promises no more nuclear tests: Trump

Trump tells reporters that Kim has promised not to conduct further test of rockets and other nuclear weapons.

“I trust him, I take him at his word, I hope that’s true,” Trumps says.

The president also reiterates his view that North Korea has enormous economic potential, saying that it could become “one of the most rapidly successful countries on Earth” and “an absolute economic power”.

Sanctions at the heart of failed agreement, Trump says

Taking questions from the press, Trump acknowledges that US sanctions against North Korea remain the biggest sticking point in negotiations with North Korea.

“[North Korea] wanted the sanctions lifted in their entirety and we couldn’t do that. They were willing to denuke a large portion of the areas that we wanted but we couldn’t give up all of the sanctions for that,” Trump says.

“I want to take off the sanctions so badly […] but they have to do more”.

Trump also confirms all existing sanctions remain in place, later saying that North Korea offered to denuclearise some areas but not all of those requested by the US. But he refuses to comment on whether the US would be willing to allow North Korea to keep some nuclear weapons.

Trump says he wants to lift sanctions but North Korea has ‘to do more’ [Evan Vucci/AP Photo]

South Korean stocks dip after summit ends with no deal

South Korean stocks post their biggest one-day drop in four months as the Trump-Kim summit ends without an agreement.

Seoul’s benchmark Kospi stock index falls 1.8 percent, while the South Korean currency, the won, loses 0.5 percent against the US dollar, according to Bloomberg and Reuters.

“The collapse of the Trump-Kim summit has definitely had some negative effect on South Korean stocks, as the country is susceptible to military factors with North Korea,” Margaret Yang, an analyst at CMC Markets in Singapore tells Al Jazeera.

Among the hardest hit stocks are South Korean infrastructure companies, which rose in recent days on hopes of a peace deal.

Pompeo ‘still optimistic’ on future agreement

Pompeo says he hopes the two countries will move closer to a deal in the future [Jorge Silva/Reuters]

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tells reporters he is “still optimistic” that the US and North Korea can come to an agreement in the future, adding the process was always expected to take time.

“I think as we continue to work on this in the days and weeks ahead, we can continue to make progress so that we can ultimately achieve what the world wants, which is to denuclearise North Korea, to reduce risk for the American people and for the people all around the world.”

Pompeo says he hopes the two countries will move closer to making a deal in the weeks ahead.

Trump: ‘Sometimes you have to walk’

Trump kicks off a press conference following his meeting with Kim, saying the leaders had a “very productive time”, despite not reaching an agreement.

The two sides had “some options”, he says, but decided not to pursue them “at this time”, apparently leaving the door open for future talks.

“It was a very interesting two days and I think it was a very productive two days but sometimes you have to walk and this was just one of those times,” Trump says.

The US president also touches on events in India, Pakistan and Venezuela, before handing over to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo.

No agreement at Trump-Kim summit

The White House says in a statement Trump and Kim have not reached an agreement at the end of two days of meetings.

“President Donald J. Trump of the United States and Chairman Kim Jong Un of the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea had very good and constructive meetings in Hanoi, Vietnam, on February 27-28, 2019.

“The two leaders discussed various ways to advance denuclearization and economic driven concepts.

“No agreement was reached at this time, but their respective teams look forward to meeting in the future.”

Kim, Trump motorcades leave Hanoi summit venue

The motorcades of the two leaders leave Metropole hotel, the site of their summit in Hanoi, within minutes of each other after both a lunch and the signing ceremony are scuttled.

Trump’s end-of-summit news conference is moved up and White House aides say he will address the sudden change in plans.

Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett, reporting from Hanoi, says the summit has been “essentially cut short”.

“The agreement that was expected to be signed, the statement that was expected to come out of this Hanoi summit, is not taking place. Instead, the press conference of the US president has been moved up in terms of its timeline.

“This is very significant, it does not bode well in terms of the outcome.”

Kim’s motorcade as it leaves the Metropole hotel after the summit [Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters]

Trump-Kim talks to wrap up earlier

Talks between the two leaders are wrapping up earlier than expected.

White House press secretary Sarah Sanders says “negotiations are still ongoing” between the two delegations. Trump and Kim are scheduled to have lunch but do not enter the dining room where reporters are assembled.

Sanders says Trump will return with his delegation to his hotel soon, providing no updates on a scheduled joint signing with Kim that had been on the books for 2pm.

Sanders says Trump’s press conference, scheduled for 4pm, has now been moved to 2pm at his hotel.

Kim asked about human rights

Kim is asked by reporters if the two leaders would be talking about human rights, which he is accused of abusing. But Trump responds to the question instead, saying: “We’re discussing everything.”

Many experts worry that the charges of massive human rights abuses faced by Kim are being brushed aside in the rush to address North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme.

North Korean leader willing to denuclearise

Kim says he is willing to denuclearise and welcomes the idea of the US opening a liaison office in Pyongyang.

“If I’m not willing to do that, I wouldn’t be here” he says, when asked by a small group of reporters if he is ready to denuclearise.

Trump then says: “Good answer. Wow. That might be the best answer that you’ve ever heard.”

In response to another question about a US office in the North Korean capital, Kim says: “I think it is something that is worth welcoming.”

For his part, Trump says the idea of a liaison office is a “great thing”.

The two sides begin an extended bilateral meeting in Hanoi [Leah Millis/Reuters]

Second day of talks – what happens next

After the conclusion of their one-on-one meeting, the two leaders are taking part in expanded bilateral talks. These are expected to go on for two hours, followed by a working lunch.

Later, Kim and Trump are scheduled to participate in a Joint Agreement Signing Ceremony – but there are no details about what the two leaders will sign.

Trump will then head to another hotel, where he is scheduled to hold a much-anticipated press conference, before heading to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport to depart for the US.

On his part, Kim is expected to continue with an “official goodwill visit” to Vietnam that will continue through to Saturday after his summit with Trump.

In possibly a first, Kim responds to foreign journalist’s question

During the two leaders’ opening remarks on the second day of the talks, Kim replies through an interpreter to a question from a foreign journalist – in what is widely believed to be his first-ever response to a Western reporter.

Journalist: Chairman Kim, are you confident?

Kim: It is too early to tell. I would not make a prediction. But my instinct is that good results will come out.

Here's video. Possibly the first time ever Kim Jong Un has answered a question from a foreign reporter. pic.twitter.com/BuzJYVe3bM — Martyn Williams (@martyn_williams) February 28, 2019

Kim Jong Un used the word 예단(Yedan), which means prejudge/predict. However, his translator's translation was "I would not say I am pessimistic.", when he meant to say "I would not prejudge." — Musun Kim (@MusunKIM) February 28, 2019

First session over as Trump, Kim take a stroll

Trump and Kim take a brief stroll in the courtyard of the Hanoi hotel hosting their talks.

After emerging from their first session of the day, which lasted for about half an hour, they are joined by Kim’s top envoy Kim Yong Chol, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and interpreters.

The two leaders chat and gesture in the leafy courtyard of the French-colonial era Metropole hotel, before returning indoors.

Kim and Trump walk in the garden of the Metropole hotel [Leah Millis/Reuters]

Trump in ‘no rush’ as Kim vows ‘every effort’

As they kick off their second day of talks, Trump repeats he is in “no rush” for an agreement with North Korea while Kim pledges to “make every effort” for a “positive result” in the nuclear talks.

Below are excerpts from the two leaders’ opening remarks:

Kim: We have made a lot of efforts so far and now it’s time for us to sit together and have this wonderful dialogue. Let me assure you that I will do all my best to bring a good result ultimately today.

Trump: Speed is not that important to me. I very much appreciate no testing of nuclear rockets, missiles, any of it, very much appreciate it. I just want to say I have great respect for Chairman Kim and I have great respect for this country and I believe that it will be something, economically, that will be almost hard to compete with for many countries – it has such potential.

Kim and Trump at the start of their bilateral meeting on Thursday [Leah Millis/Reuters]

Trump and Kim begin second day of talks

The two leaders begin talks on the second day of their second summit after both sides expressed hope for progress in their denuclearisation talks.

The meeting between Trump and Kim takes place at Hanoi’s Sofitel Legend Metropole hotel.

Remarks by Kim and Trump in private conversation

Kim: [As interpreted] So it’s exactly 261 days since we met last time in Singapore, in June, last year.

Trump: Yes.

Kim: And I truly believe that this successful and great meeting that we are having today is thanks to the courageous decision – political decision that your team, Mr. President, reached. So, during that 261 days since we last met, there have been some misunderstandings. There have been all these eyes from the world who are misunderstanding the situation. But – and there was some hostility that still remains from the very, very past period that – from the outside.

Trump: Right.

Trump and Kim Jong Un shake hands before their one-on-one chat [Leah Millis/Reuters]

Kim: [As interpreted] But, however, we have been able to overcome all the obstacles, and here we are today after 261 days, in Hanoi. I actually believe that those 261 days were the days which were – and during which a lot of painstaking efforts were necessary and also a lot of patience were needed. But here we are today, sitting next to each other, and that gives us a hope that we will be successful with time. And I will really try to make that happen.

Trump: Thank you very much. That’s really nice. Well, I want to just say it’s an honor to be with Chairman Kim. It’s an honour to be together in, really, a country, Vietnam, where they’ve really rolled out the red carpet and they’ve – they’re very honored to have us. And it’s great to be with you.

We had a very successful first summit. I felt it was very successful, and some people would like to see it go quicker. I’m satisfied; you’re satisfied. We want to be happy with what we’re doing. But I thought the first summit was a great success. And I think this one, hopefully, will be equal or greater than the first. And we made a lot progress, and I think the biggest progress was our relationship is really a good one.

And as I’ve said many times – and I say it to the press, I say it to anybody that wants to listen: I think that your country has tremendous economic potential. Unbelievable. Unlimited. And I think that you will have a tremendous future with your country – a great leader. And I look forward to watching it happen and helping it to happen. And we will help it to happen.

Thank you all very much. We appreciate it. And we’re going to go have dinner, and then we have some big meetings scheduled for tomorrow. And we’ll see you, I guess, at a news conference at some point during the day. Thank you very much.

Summit talks aim for groundbreaking results: North Korea

North Korea’s state news agency says Kim and Trump had in-depth discussions at dinner with the aim of achieving substantial results from their formal talks on Thursday.

“Sincere and in-depth views were exchanged to bring about a comprehensive and groundbreaking outcome,” KCNA said.

Kim and Trump will hold formal talks on Thursday [KCNA via Reuters]

Wednesday, February 27:

‘Very good dialogue’: Trump hails meeting with Kim

In a series of tweets, Trump says he and Kim had “great meetings and dinner” in Vietnam.

“Very good dialogue”, he says, adding: “Looking forward to continuing our discussions tomorrow!”

Great meetings and dinner tonight in Vietnam with Kim Jong Un of North Korea. Very good dialogue. Resuming tomorrow! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 27, 2019

Great meeting and dinner with Kim Jong Un in Hanoi, Vietnam tonight. Looking forward to continuing our discussions tomorrow! #HanoiSummit pic.twitter.com/J3x6lUGzjS — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 27, 2019

Trump, Kim dined on shrimp, sirloin, lava cake

The White House says Trump and Kim feasted on shrimp cocktail, grilled sirloin and chocolate lava cake at their dinner.

Dried persimmon punch, which the White House describes as a traditional beverage sweetened with dried persimmons and honey, was also on the menu.

Summit cuisine: dinner menu at Trump/Kim summit:

-Shrimp Cocktail

-Grilled Sirloin with Pear Kimchi

-Dessert: Chocolate Lava (described as "Hot runny centered chocolate cake, chocolate crumble, with fresh berries and vanilla ice cream)

-Beverage: Dried Persimmon Punch. — Mark Knoller (@markknoller) February 27, 2019

After ‘social dinner’, Trump and Kim wrap up evening of meetings

The US and North Korean leaders depart the Sofitel Legeng Metropole Hanoi hotel after concluding a 90-minute dinner.

The White House does not immediately provide more information on what it called a “social dinner”, which had restricted press access.

Trump and Kim are scheduled to hold additional meetings with aides on Thursday, before Trump returns to the US.

Kim’s motorcade leaves following his meeting with Trump [Ann Wang/ Reuters]

Press access to Trump restricted at Kim meeting

The White House is restricting press access to Trump’s summit with Kim

Four print reporters, including from The Associated Press and Reuters news agencies, are being prohibited from covering the beginning of Trump’s dinner with Kim in Hanoi. That came after two of those reporters asked questions of the president during earlier events at the summit.

In a statement, White House says it limited the pool for dinner to a smaller group “due to sensitive nature of the meetings”.

Trump, Kim predict success in high-stakes nuclear summit

Trump predicts “equal or greater” success in second summit with Kim and adds that he is looking forward to watching North Korea achieve a “tremendous future”.

For his part, Kim says he believes the summit will lead to an “an excellent outcome that all people can welcome”.

Read our story here.

Trump and Kim sit down for dinner at the Metropole Hotel in Hanoi [Leah Millis/ Reuters]

Trump, Kim meet for second summit

Trump and Kim are exchanging greetings as they begin their second summit in Vietnam.

The two leaders shake hands and make small talk at the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi hotel, where thet are scheduled to meet for 20 minutes before sitting down for dinner.

In his opening statement, Trump says it was an “honour” to sit down again with the North Korean leader.

“It is great to be with you. We had a very successful first summit,” he says.

For his part, Kim says that after more than eight months, “obstacles have been overcome” by the two countries paving the way for their second meeting.

U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un sit down before their one-on-one chat during the second US-North Korea summit at the Metropole Hotel in Hanoi. [Leah Millis/Reuters]

Trump leaves Hanoi hotel for dinner with Kim

Trump’s convoy is seen leaving the Marriott Hotel in Hanoi ahead of a dinner with Kim.

Vietnamese activists say police restrict movements during Trump-Kim summit

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 US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

Despite sweeping economic and social reforms in Vietnam, the ruling Communist Party retains tight controls on media and does not tolerate criticism.

Nguyen Chi Tuyen, an activist known as Anh Chi, says security officials have been stationed outside his house for the past 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 tells Reuters news agency.

‘More diplomacy, less military threats’

As Trump and Kim get closer to their first face to face meeting in Hanoi, analysts are praising the efforts both sides have made to sit around a table and discuss the possible options instead of threatening to go to war.

“The US-North Korea relations are much better than what they were in 2017. Every step that takes you away from war is one step closer to peace,” Daniel Davis, senior fellow at Defence Priorities, says at an event in Hanoi.

“You need to put lot of emphasis on diplomacy and a lot less on military threats. Kim, more than his two predecessors, is willing to discuss issues and willing to give something if he’s getting something in return.”

North Korean officials visit Vietnamese carmaker

A North Korean delegation, minus Kim Jong Un, visits Ha Long bay and are now heading towards Hai Phong – around 110 km from Hanoi – according to Vietnam’s local media outlet as well as South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.

Hai Phong hosts a factory of Vietnam’s first indigenous car manufacturer VinFast.

Al Jazeera’s Musun Kim, reporting from Hanoi, says the North Korean officials’ visit to Hai Phong shows that Kim’s trip to Vietnam is not just about the nuclear negotiations”.

It is also seen as an opportunity to see an example of how North Korea could develop its economy after international sanctions are lifted,” our correspondent says.

North Korean ruling party senior leader Ri Su Yong, center, visits VinFast in Hai Phong [Minh Hoang/AP]

The other ‘Donald’ making waves in Hanoi

Hours before Trump meets Kim on Wednesday, Al Jazeera meets an impersonator of the US president in Hanoi who has garnered international media attention.

Read our interview with him here.

Billionaire Donald: ‘I was told I can’t go anywhere near where the US and North Korean leaders are’ [Faras Ghani/Al Jazeera]

Trump meets Vietnam’s PM

The US president continues his courtesy call on his Vietname hosts – this time by meeting Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the Office of Government Hall in Hanoi.

For his part, Kim is to take in some sights before the leaders open their second nuclear summit with a brief one-on-one meeting and private social dinner.

Trump and Nguyen Xuan Phuc greeted by students [Leah Millis/Reuters]

Hanoi mayor urges residents to be on best behaviour

The mayor of Hanoi urges residents residents to be on their best behaviour during the summit so they can show the world the “civilised, elegant, friendly and hospitable people” of Vietnam’s capital.

The statement from Hanoi Mayor Nguyen Duc Chung, posted on the city’s website, calls residents to dress well and decorate the city with flags and flowers to welcome the visitors here for the summit.

He also advises to “refrain from hiking prices of goods and services during the summit.”

Students outside the Presidential Palace in Hanoi wait to greet Trump [Leah Millis/Reuters]

Vietnamese president hosts Trump, deals signed

Trump pays a visit to Vietnam’s President Nguyen Phu Trong, and the two leaders preside over the signing of several commercial trade deals between their two airline industries.

US aircraft manufacturer Boeing signs agreements with VietJet for 100 737 MAX planes and with Bamboo Airways for 10 787 Dreamliners. US-based aviation technology company Sabre also inks an agreement with Vietnam Airlines.

“We both felt very good about having this very important summit in Vietnam because you really are an example as to what can happen, with good thinking,” Trump says, thanking his hosts.

The Vietnamese president says his country has “been making all necessary preparations to ensure the best conditions for the success of this very special meeting.”

The two leaders preside over the signing of airline industry deals [Luong Thai Linh/Pool via Reuters]

Trump: North Korea economic potential ‘awesome’

The US president says North Korea will thrive just like Vietnam if it denuclearises.

“Vietnam is thriving like few places on earth. North Korea would be the same, and very quickly, if it would denuclearise,” Trump writes on Twitter.

“The potential is AWESOME, a great opportunity, like almost none other in history, for my friend Kim Jong Un.”

Vietnam is thriving like few places on earth. North Korea would be the same, and very quickly, if it would denuclearize. 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! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 27, 2019

Analyst: Trump and Kim depend legacy on their relationship

Speaking to Al Jazeera from Seoul, Jasper Kim, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University, says a win on both sides will be “no mutually assured destruction”.

He adds that from the perspective of Trump and Kim, “both of their legacies are really rooted in keeping this relationship going further, and we have a very awkward type of love relationship between these two.

“They both need each other and they are using these words as if they are in a sort of romantic interlude with one another because they are depending their legacy that this relationship continues,” says Kim, who is also the author of Persuasion: The Hidden Forces that Influence Negotiations.

“These two are trying to sort of court one another, and are both getting a better sense of that. I don’t think we are going to get a concrete, end-of-all-agreements type of agreement here; if they do, it;s going to be a success, but if don’t, I don’t think it classifies as a failure. It’s just one more iteration in this very complex negotiation.”

Kim receives a briefing after his arrival in Hanoi [KCNA via Reuters]

Trump to meet Vietnamese leaders before Kim dinner

The US president is expected to kick off a busy day by meeting Nguyen Phu Trong, Vietnam’s president and secretary-general of the Communist Party, at 04:10 GMT.

He will later hold talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

“Reporters will be allowed in the beginnings of those meetings, so it is possible that we might hear Trump talking for the first time here in Vietnam about this crucial summit,” Al Jazeera’s Adrian Bays, reporting Hanoi, says.

At 11:30 GMT, Trump and Kim are scheduled to meet at Sofitel Legend Metropole in Vietnam’s Hanoi for a 20-minute conversation followed by a social dinner. Their formal meeting is planned for Thursday.

Kim to stay in Vietnam through Saturday

Kim will follow his summit with Trump with an “official goodwill visit” to Vietnam that will continue through Saturday, according to North Korea’s state media.

The Korean Central News Agency says Kim during a visit to the North Korean embassy on Tuesday called on diplomats to work towards deepening cooperation between Pyongyang and Hanoi.

Tuesday, February 26:

Trump touches down in Hanoi

Trump lands in Hanoi in advance of meetings with Kim scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday.

Just arrived in Vietnam. Thank you to all of the people for the great reception in Hanoi. Tremendous crowds, and so much love! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 26, 2019

Kim arrived in the Vietnamese capital earlier on Tuesday.

The pair are due to meet over dinner on Wednesday.

Summit off to ‘rocky start’

Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett, reporting from Hanoi, says Trump’s arrival in the Vietnamese capital comes amid a “rocky start” to the summit.

“Even this arrival has been somewhat unusual: I was asking the White House and in turn, the [US] embassy here, who would be greeting the president and they could not give me a full list,” Halkett says.

“This is just adding to some of the problems that were experienced by the media earlier in the day, a scheduling oversight you could say with regard to the fact that Kim is staying in the same hotel where the White House media centre was setup.

“Setting that up is no small feat; it was abruptly shut down and the reporters moved to an international media centre.

“It’s a rocky start and optics are everything in a summit like this. There’s so much on the table, and the fact that right now the North Koreans seem to be calling the shots, getting the White House press to move certainly doesn’t bode well for the Americans.”

Pompeo praises talks with Vietnamese FM

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says he had a “great exchange” with Vietnam’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh during talks between the pair in Hanoi.

Great exchange with @FMPhamBinhMinh. Vietnam is an increasingly close friend and partner of the United States — we share a range of strategic interests and a common desire to promote peace, security, and a free and open Indo-Pacific. pic.twitter.com/96jDAq4HKZ — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) February 26, 2019

Pompeo is Trump’s top envoy and plays a key part in Washington’s ongoing efforts to improve ties with North Korea.

Vietnam issues Trump-Kim summit stamp

Pham Hong Hai, Vietnam’s vice minister for information, launches a special postage stamp to commemorate the upcoming US-North Korea summit.

The stamp shows two hands in the colours of North Korea and the US clasped together.

Two Vietnamese women display an enlarged frame of a stamp published to commemorate the second US-North Korea summit [Ye Aung Thu/AFP]

Meanwhile, Nguyen Thu Uyen, a local student who handed Kim flowers on his arrival in Vietnam, tells the AFP news agency it was his “most memorable” moment meeting the leader.

“Kim Jong Un is very friendly and especially attractive,” says Uyen of Kim.

China urges N Korea, US to ‘meet each other halfway’

Lu Kang, spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry, says Beijing hopes talks between Trump and Kim will achieve denuclearisation and lasting peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and in northeast Asia.

To achieve those goals, North Korea and the US should fully understand each other’s legitimate concerns and “meet each other halfway”, Lu tells reporters in Beijing.

China believes the situation is “developing in the direction as we pursued and expected”, adds Lu.

Kim visits N Korean embassy

Accompanied by his sister Kim Yo Jong, Kim is paying a visit to the North Korean embassy in Hanoi.

Hundreds of people are waiting to catch a look at the motorcade, as Kim travels the short distance from the Melia hotel to the embassy. Loud cheers go up as Kim enters the mission’s compound.

Kim Jong Un arrives at the North Korean embassy in Hanoi [Jorge Silva/Reuters]

After a 50-minute jaunt at the embassy, Kim returns to his hotel.

Trump-Kim mania grips Hanoi

From Trump- or Kim-style haircuts to burgers named “Kim Jong Yum” and “Durty Donald”, artists and businesses in Hanoi are hoping to showcase their skills and cash in on the second US-North Korea summit.

Duong Le Tuan, a barber, says more than 600 people have visited his salon since he began offering free cuts in the hairstyles of Trump and Kim a week ago.

“I want to mark these historic talks with a message of peace,” Le, who lost two of his uncles in the US-Vietnam war, tells Al Jazeera.

Take a look at our photos from the streets of summit-mad Hanoi here.

The Kim-style cut is a more popular one, according to Dong Le Tuan, because it takes less time and effort [Fars Ghani/Al Jazeera]

Trump en route to Vietnam

Trump’s Air Force One, en route to the Vietnamese capital, Hanoi, has reportedly made a refuelling stop in Qatar.

The US president is due in the Vietnamese capital on Tuesday evening.

US press corps booted out of hotel as Kim checks in

The travelling US press corps covering Trump’s Vietnam visit are asked to check out of Melia Hotel, in the heart of Hanoi, as it has also been booked by Kim for his stay in the Vietnamese capital.

Vietnam’s foreign ministry says the White House reporters, photographers and media workers are being relocated to an international media filing centre a few blocks away from the hotel.

Soon after, Kim’s motorcade rolls up to Melia Hotel.

Police officers stand guard outside Melia Hotel in Hanoi [Vincent Yu/AP Photo]

The announcement of the last-minute switch prompts responses by US journalists on social media.

Translation: The US press is being booted out of the hotel where we have spent days setting up our workspace. https://t.co/UkkmskqBQe — Jim Acosta (@Acosta) February 26, 2019

A lot of work had gone into setting up this media center. Send your regards to the advance team who had to waist their time on this: pic.twitter.com/r4hLX9PyCg — John Hudson (@John_Hudson) February 26, 2019

South Korea hoping for ‘great progress’

South Korea’s presidential spokesperson has expressed Seoul’s hope for substantial progress at the upcoming summit.

“Given the schedule announced by the White House and the schedule we have come to be aware of, President Trump and Chairman Kim are expected to hold in-depth discussions in face-to-face meetings,” the spokesperson says, according to Yonhap news agency.

“I do hope there will be great progress as the result of their talks, result of North Korea-US negotiations.”

The spokesperson also reiterates the possibility of the US and North Korea declaring a formal end to the 1950-1953 Korean War, a day after hinting at it for the first time.

Kim’s motorcade heading towards Melia Hotel [Kim Kyung-Hoon/Reuters]

Kim motorcade arrives in Hanoi

Kim’s limousine rolls into Hanoi, passing outside the city’s famed opera house just around the corner from the Metropole Hotel which is thought to be the summit venue.

Hundreds of citizens gather behind barricades hoping to catch a glimpse of the North Korean leader.

Soldiers and police stand guard at Melia Hotel, where Kim is set to stay.

People watch Kim’s motorcade as it passes the Opera House in Hanoi [Ann Wang/Reuters]

Trump-Kim summit 2.0: Five things to look out for

How did we get here, what does each side want and what is the summit’s likely outcome? On the eve of the talks, all the key questions surrounding the meetings in Hanoi answered here.

An overcast Hanoi is gearing up to host the Trump-Kim summit [Faras Ghani/Al Jazeera]

After Kim, Pompeo also in Vietnam

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo arrives in Hanoi, where he is due to meet Washington’s Special Representative for North Korea Stephen Biegun later.

Pompeo, Trump’s top envoy in his efforts to improve ties with North Korea, has made several trips to Pyongyang to negotiate steps towards ending its nuclear programme.

Made it to Vietnam for President @realDonaldTrump’s #HanoiSummit with the DPRK. Will be important opportunity to make progress on Singapore Summit commitments of transformed relations, building lasting peace, and complete denuclearization. pic.twitter.com/V5cJ3rWuH1 — Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) February 26, 2019

Trump, Kim to hold brief talks, have dinner on Wednesday

White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders tells reporters on Air Force One that Trump will meet Kim for a brief one-on-one conversation on Wednesday evening followed by a social dinner, at which they will each be accompanied by two guests and interpreters.

She says more meetings between the two leaders will take place on Thursday.

Kim arrives at Dong Dang, on Vietnam’s border with China [Nhan Sang/VNA via Reuters]

Kim arrives in Vietnam

After a long train journey through North Korea and thousands of kilometres across China, Kim arrives at the Vietnamese border station of Dong Dang.

Top Vietnamese officials are on hand to receive him at the station with a red carpet, including a guard of honour, with the North Korean and Vietnamese flags hoisted high.

Kim is greeted by Vietnamese officials and a gathered crowd [Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters]

Dressed in his trademark dark Mao suit, Kim disembarks from his armoured train, smiling and waving at a crowd gathered on a cold, rainy morning,

The North Korean leader steps into a black limousine surrounded by bodyguards who run alongside the vehicle as it leaves the station.

Roads are shut down from the border with China all the way to Hanoi, 170km away.

North Korean bodyguards run alongside a limousine transporting Kim [Reuters]

Monday, February 25:

Vietnam pledges ‘maximum-level’ security

With Kim on board a train crossing China towards Hanoi and Trump about to board a flight to Vietnam’s capital, Vietnamese officials are scrambling to complete preparations for the much-anticipated summit.

190220052827112

Officials in Hanoi have pledged to provide airtight security for the two leaders, despite having had around 10 days to prepare for the event.

“Security will be at the maximum level,” Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung told reporters at a briefing to showcase the country’s efforts to welcome Kim and Trump.

Another official, Nguyen Manh Hung, the leader of the information ministry, said that the 3,000 journalists from 40 countries expected in Hanoi could rely on his agency as “you’d count on a family member”.

Vietnamese soldiers at the Dong Dang railway station where Kim is expected to arrive [Athit Perawongmetha/Reuters]

Can North Korea follow Vietnam to economic success?

It’s dynamic, open to the outside world and becoming richer fast – while being run by a single-party communist government. Vietnam’s economy is being held up by the US as an example for North Korea to follow if it gives up its nuclear weapons.

But not everyone agrees that Kim could achieve what Vietnam has without giving up his tight grip on power.

Read more here.

US asks Russia for advice before summit

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says Washington has asked Moscow for advice before the summit in Hanoi, according to Interfax.

The news agency quotes Lavrov as saying there is no quick solution to the Korean Peninsula issue, adding that the United Nations could have lifted some sanctions against Pyongyang that hamper relations between North Korea and South Korea.

Arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam, to this Trump-Kim craziness. Tshirts, flags and haircuts. pic.twitter.com/pIAk8HdsAA — Faras Ghani (@farasG) February 25, 2019

Vietnam aiming to cash in on ‘valuable’ event

Officials and analysts predict future economic gains as Vietnam steps up preparations to host the second summit between the two leaders.

Read more here.

Sunday, February 24:

US manages expectations for second summit

Trump is predicting a “continuation of the progress” made in Singapore, in an apparent effort to manage expectations for his second summit with Kim.

In a Twitter post, Trump says he is leaving early on Monday for the meeting in Hanoi, while also wondering: “Denuclearization?” He also says Kim knows that “without nuclear weapons, his country could fast become one of the great economic powers anywhere in the world”.

Very productive talks yesterday with China on Trade. Will continue today! I will be leaving for Hanoi, Vietnam, early tomorrow for a Summit with Kim Jong Un of North Korea, where we both expect a continuation of the progress made at first Summit in Singapore. Denuclearization? — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 24, 2019

Heading into this week’s summit, Trump has said that North Korea has not tested any nuclear weapons in months and that as long as that testing has ceased, he is in no rush.

Speaking to Fox News Sunday TV programme, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo says he is hoping for a “substantive step forward.” But, he cautioned, “it may not happen, but I hope that it will.”

“President Trump has also said this is going to take time. There may have to be another summit. We may not get everything done this week,” Pompeo adds.