Hanoi is urgently wrapping up preparatory activities to welcome the APEC Summit this November. Many Hanoi streets, such as Nguyen Chi Thanh, Pham Hung and Tran Duy Hung have been decorated with fresh flowers and colorful welcoming arches. Some outdoor stages have been built around Hoan Kiem Lake and on some streets for art performances. At the National Convention Centre construction site, workers are working round the clock to complete in time.
Viet Nam Net Bridge said thirty two luxurious hotels in Hanoi have been selected to accommodate delegates, media workers and entrepreneurs attending APEC meetings, according to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT). Of these, nine hotels namely Daewoo Hanoi, Sofitel Metropole, Hilton Hanoi Opera, Horison, Sheraton, Sofitel Plaza, Melia, Nikko and Thang Loi, are reserved for high-ranking delegations at the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting scheduled for late November.
All of the hotels are located in the centre of the city and able to provide services of an international standard, including satellite TV, internet services, swimming pools, tennis courts and shopping areas. They all have superb views and staff have extensive experiences in welcoming VIPs for major international conferences.
Apart from these hotels, nearly 400 restaurants specialising of European, Chinese and Thai cuisines as well as Vietnamese specialties have also been selected to serve guests at the APEC events.
A source from Ho Chi Minh City said Ford Vietnam Motor Company has become the largest automobile supplier of the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting in Hanoi with a contract of supplying 220 vehicles of various kinds. Of the figure, the company has delivered 110 Ford Mondeos 2.5L and 70 Ford Transits to the government and it is importing 40 Ford Expeditions for this contract. In addition, Mercedes-Benz Vietnam (MBV) is another automobile supplier of the event with a deal to supply 115 cars to the government, including 42 Mercedes-Benz E 280 and 73 Mercedes-Benz E200K Elegance.
Vietnam Airlines will grant free tickets or reduce fare on international and domestic routes for passengers who travel to attend the APEC CEO Summit slated for Nov. 17-19 in Hanoi, according to the airline's press release.
Besides participants and members of the organising board of the summit, the beneficiaries will also inclu
de editors and reporters of foreign news agencies, who come to cover the event. Total funding for the discount, made under an agreement between Vietnam Airlines and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, was estimated at 100,000 USD.
The carrier is also working hard to ensure best service for all APEC activities. The Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi currently has two runways for continuous taking off and landing. The airport's apron has been upgraded to accommodate 50 crafts.
The Northern Airport Authority also reported that security at airports has been tightened, and an exercise on dealing with bombing threat will be staged in mid-October. The international terminal T1 at Noi Bai airport has been equipped with more security check equipment.
Minh Chau – Summary from Internet
