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Feb 28, 2019 / 12:10

Defining moments in US – North Korea leaders' meeting at Hanoi’s historic hotel

The Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi added another historic event to its storied past this week when it became the host of the second US - North Korea summit where President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hold talks.

Eight months after their historic summit in Singapore, US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un decided to meet again in Hanoi’s historic five-star hotel Metropole, which is one of the most luxurious places to stay in Hanoi.

Built in 1901 under French colonial rule and was maintained its opulence as of today, the Metropole – now part of the Sofitel Legend group, was a favorite haunt of celebrities and diplomats. Charles Chaplin and Paulette Goddard honeymooned there in 1936, and it reportedly played host to Bill Clinton and Jane Fonda. In 1972, Joan Baez famously took cover in an underground bunker there during the Christmas Bombings. Trump himself has previously visited the hotel, reportedly staying there in 2017.

​Today, the hotel staff conduct tours of its bomb shelter that the hotel engineer department rediscovered in 2011 while renovating the establishment’s Bamboo Bar, its website stated. The bomb shelter was used during the war from 1964 to 1973 to protect guests from air raids.

The bunker was later closed and sealed, but reopened in 2012.

 
 
Eight months after their historic summit in Singapore, US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un decided to meet again in Hanoi’s historic hotel Metropole.
Hanoi’s historic five-star hotel Metropole is one of the most luxurious places to stay in Hanoi.
Built in 1901 under French colonial rule and was maintained its opulence as of today, the Metropole – now part of the Sofitel Legend group, was a favorite haunt of celebrities and diplomats. Charles Chaplin and Paulette Goddard honeymooned there in 1936, and it reportedly played host to Bill Clinton and Jane Fonda. In 1972, Joan Baez famously took cover in an underground bunker there during the Christmas Bombings. Trump himself has previously visited the hotel, reportedly staying there in 2017.
Built in 1901 under French colonial rule and was maintained its opulence as of today, the Metropole – now part of the Sofitel Legend group, was a favorite haunt of celebrities and diplomats. Charles Chaplin and Paulette Goddard honeymooned there in 1936, and it reportedly played host to Bill Clinton and Jane Fonda. In 1972, Joan Baez famously took cover in an underground bunker there during the Christmas Bombings. Trump himself has previously visited the hotel, reportedly staying there in 2017.
 
Police officers stand guard outside Metropole hotel where U.S President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are scheduled to have dinner in Hanoi, Vietnam. Source: AP.
Police officers stand guard outside Metropole hotel where U.S President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un are scheduled to have dinner in Hanoi, Vietnam. Source: AP.
Trump and Kim met briefly on Wednesday, February 27, before having dinner together. Source: Evan Vucci/AP
Trump and Kim met briefly on Wednesday, February 27, before having dinner together. Source: Evan Vucci/AP.
Trump and Kim sit down to take a few questions from the press before dinner. "I think you will have a tremendous future for your country, you're a great leader," Trump told Kim. "We will help it to happen." Source: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images.
Trump and Kim sit down to take a few questions from the press before dinner. "I think you will have a tremendous future for your country, you're a great leader," Trump told Kim. "We will help it to happen." Source: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images.
The two leaders sit for dinner at the Hotel Metropole Hanoi on February 27. The men were joined by interpreters and a few associates, including US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, far right. "Nothing like having a nice private dinner," Trump joked as a limited pool of reporters took photos.Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images.
The two leaders sit for dinner at the Hotel Metropole Hanoi on February 27. The men were joined by interpreters and a few associates, including US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, far right. "Nothing like having a nice private dinner," Trump joked as a limited pool of reporters took photos.Source: Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images.
Trump's motorcade passes through well-wishers on his way to meet Kim on February 27.Source: Adam Schreck/AP
Trump's motorcade passes through well-wishers on his way to meet Kim on February 27.Source: Adam Schreck/AP.
 
People gather outside the Hanoi hotel where Trump and Kim were meeting.Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images.
People gather outside the Hanoi hotel where Trump and Kim were meeting.Source: Noel Celis/AFP/Getty Images.
Kim and Trump are joined by translators as they meet for the second day of the summit. Kim told the reporters there that many people had been "skeptical" about the two leaders meeting. "I'm sure all of them will be watching the moment we are sitting together, side by side, as if they are watching a fantasy movie," he said.Evan Vucci/AP.
Kim and Trump are joined by translators as they meet for the second day of the summit. Kim told the reporters there that many people had been "skeptical" about the two leaders meeting. "I'm sure all of them will be watching the moment we are sitting together, side by side, as if they are watching a fantasy movie," he said.Source: Evan Vucci/AP.
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