Remember when thousands of Apec banners flew over Bangkok when Thailand hosted the meeting in 2003? Yes, there are colourful banners to promote the event in Hanoi this week, when world leaders are scheduled to arrive for the summit. The timing could not be better for Hanoi, which was voted in as a new member of the World Trade Organisation only last week. Apec is a celebration of the communist-run country's wholehearted embrace of capitalism.

Vietnam has reportedly spent Bt9 billion on preparations for the event, including the construction of the National Conference Centre, the venue for the meeting. The conference building was partly supported by the South Korean government.

In the streets of Hanoi, policemen are standing at various intersections to ensure maximum security. Their uniforms are bright green, newly cut outfits that add to the colourful scenes of the city. Flowers decorate the streets. Young female students are riding bicycles in white traditional Vietnamese ao dai costumes this week, even though their usual school uniforms are white blouses and dark trousers.

A mysterious turtle was recently found in Ho Hoan Kiem Lake and has been regarded as an auspicious sign. It reminds the Vietnamese of the legendary turtle that emerged from the water to take a glowing sword to the emperor of Vietnam, who fought for his nation's independence from the Chinese Han Empire.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese craftsmen are busy making souvenirs for the Apec leaders. Among other gifts this year, the Vietnamese government will give out large painted portraits of each leader, decorated with local gemstones. Each portrait requires a lot of work and time, as the Vietnamese craftsmen must use tweezers to glue each grain and pebble onto it. They have been working on this assignment for several months now.

However, there was one hiccup involving the portrait for one Apec member whose leadership abruptly changed. As seen on recent television news, Vietnamese craftsmen have been working on the final touches of a portrait of recently installed Thai Prime Minister Surayud Chulanont, the newest leader of all the Apec countries.

jeerawat@nationgroup.com