The Foreign Ministry building in Hanoi.

Vietnam's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has begun a two-day visit to the DPRK at the invitation of Foreign Minister Ri Yong-ho. His visit comes just a few weeks before the second summit between US President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un slated to take place in Hanoi on February 27 and 28.

Last week, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang said Vietnam welcomes the second US-DPRK summit and strongly supports dialogues to maintain peace, security and stability on the Korean Peninsula. She said Vietnam stands ready to actively contribute to and cooperate with both sides to ensure the success of the summit.