Donald Trump comes first. Slowly, the motorcade of the US president pushes through the illuminated streets of Hanoi. Behind the barricades and safety ropes, onlookers wave flags. When Trump finally arrives at the luxury hotel "Metropole", police quickly pull up a black curtain that hides the way he gets off.
Kim Jong Uns Konvoi comes out of the same direction a few minutes later, as always flanked by his jogging bodyguards. The North Korean ruler disappears through a tent into the hotel.
Inside there are twelve flags. Trump comes from the left, Kim from the right. They shake hands, blinking intently into the cameras, then sit down on two chairs with a bunch of flowers in between. The tension gives way a little. The reporters call questions in English, Kim looks irritated. Both men perspire visibly.
One of the questions is about Trump's ex-lawyer Michael Cohen, who will refer to his former boss as racist and cheater in Congress shortly thereafter. The scandals also catch up with Trump here.
"Great Leader", "very special relationship"
The opening of the second nuclear summit of Trump and Kim is less like a historical state act than awkward speed dating. All a bit provisional, despite the big protocol. Even the round table, where the two eventually settle for dinner in a small circle, looks as if it would soon collapse.
What they do not save is compliments. Trump praises Kim, the brutal dictator, as a "great leader," to whom he now has a "very special relationship," which hopefully ends in a "wonderful situation." Kim is more reserved, but praises Trump's summit diplomacy - via an interpreter - as a "courageous political decision".
The flattery they have been exchanging since their first summit in Singapore in the summer of 2018 escalates at this second peak in shamelessly obvious tummy-egg.
Video: Earlier Archenemies - Handshake between Trump and Kim in Hanoi
AP
Of course, they are at odds with the goals, and all the nice words help a little. There are fears that Trump could ease the sanctions on North Korea without receiving large concessions from Kim in return. After all, it is unlikely that he will want to give up his decades-long nuclear program. But Trump is more likely to focus on a public relations success, such as a peace statement he could sell as a historic breakthrough at the next election.
Why this evening is only to be understood as a polite Overture - but why? "We'll see," Trump avoids this question.
The city has spruced up for the summit
Anyway, Hanoi, the communist metropolis of millions, has rolled out the red carpet. Everywhere flags of the USA, North Korea and Vietnam hang with the summit symbol, a handshake. In the cafés there are televisions with the summit news, bars selling "summit drinks", summit T-shirts with Trump and Kim's counterparts hanging in the Schaufestern and the imprint "Peace".
Vietnam wants to make a good impression. It has made "every effort" to "create the best conditions for the success of this very special meeting," says President Nguyen Phu Trong, before greeting Trump in his palace. "We greatly appreciate the importance of peace and reconciliation."
AP
Trump (left), Kim
Nevertheless, not everything goes smoothly. The US press pool is - except for a reporter - locked out of dinner, because it displeases the North Koreans, that Trump is asked to Cohen. Some Americans had to change hotels the previous day because of Kim. Diplomats complain that they had to organize the summit at very short notice.
Not a complicated menu
Even the "metropolis" is only at the last moment as a conference venue. The colonial hotel has a dazzling history, with suites named after famous guests, from Charlie Chaplin to George Bush. The house is discreet but difficult to guard in the winding old town.
Then there is the matter with the menu. Until the last cooks should have struggled for an acceptable food order. Especially the White House, it was said, have insisted on "super easy" aisles. After much back and forth, they agree on shrimp cocktail, sirloin steak and a dessert called "chocolate lava".
After one and a half hours the dinner is over, both sides rush back to their hotels without further statements. At the same hour begins in Washington, the statement of Michael Cohen.