Security in Vietnam tightened ahead of Obama's visit
All necessary steps to heighten security in Vietnam have been completed, ready to serve the visit to the Southeast Asian country of US President Barack Obama.
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The Guard Command under the Ministry of Public Security has mobilized all of its force, as well as those from other security units, to be on 24/7 duty during the May 23-25 trip of the US president.
“We have had the best equipment and personnel ready to ensure the absolute safety for the visit of President Obama,” Luong Van Khang, deputy head of the Guard Command, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on May 21 afternoon.
Obama will officially begin his visit in Hanoi on the morning of May 23 and leave the capital for Ho Chi Minh City on May 24, according to a schedule announced May 20 by the White House. He will then depart from the southern metropolis for Japan to attend the G7 Summit.
Similar measures to tighten security have also been taken in Ho Chi Minh City.
Khang said his command had carefully discussed the security plans with forces in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and taken many rehearsals to prepare for the important duty.
The Vietnamese and US security agencies have also worked together before the trip, according to the major general. The Guard Command officers have also accepted many requests by the US Secret Service, he added.
Many US officials have also examined carefully the destinations included in the tentative itinerary of Obama during his three days in Vietnam, especially the streets he will travel on and hotels he will stay.
The Guard Command and the US Secret Service have had five working sessions, with the latest on May 16 and 17. A team of dozen of secret agents will be on 24/7 duty at hotels where Obama will stay during his time in Vietnam.
Two of the presidential state cars, the armored The Beast, are now parked at a five-star hotel near the My Dinh National Convention Center.
Houses along the streets Obama will travel by are required to keep their windows shut, Khang said. Local residents, however, can stand along the streets to welcome the US president.
“But they should not have any behavior or action harmful to the safety of the trip of Obama,” Khang pressed.
At 5:20 on May 21, the US Air Force (C17) plane arrived at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City, bring necessary equipment to serve the Obama’s trip.
As it was raining in the city then, the plane had to hover around for a while before the equipment was taken out.
