HomeEntertainmentForeigners captivated by Vietnam’s...

Foreigners captivated by Vietnam’s football ‘victory parade’ culture

Stepping out of a bar in HCMC Englishman Warren Bisset was immediately struck by the rip-roaring celebrations on the streets for Vietnam’s ASEAN Cup victory.

“It seemed as though the entire city had poured into the streets,” the 29-year-old said.

Throngs of people chanting “Vietnam vo dich!” (Vietnam are champions) passed by him at an intersection in Thao Dien, Thu Duc City on Sunday night after the championship’s final match between Vietnam and Thailand, offering high-fives to celebrate their national team’s victory. Amid the revelry, some fans distributed whistles and banners, while others danced joyously hand in hand.

Bisset, who has lived in 15 different countries, is taken by the unique Vietnamese communal celebration.

“It’s truly remarkable how the Vietnamese embrace their pride and eagerly Unlike the solitary celebrations that he notes is the norm back in England, Vietnamese celebrations are communal and exuberant, and feature large gatherings and the use of vehicles.

“Everyone is friendly and joyful, with no signs of extreme behavior,” he added.

In England football victories often lead to heavy drinking and prolonged partying, but the Vietnamese tend to remain sober and their celebrations, while intense, usually end before midnight, he says.

“It was surprising to see friends party all night yet turn up for work the next day completely sober,” he says, adding that he found himself walking 4.5 kilometers home as no motorcycle taxis or cabs were available.

Vietnam scored a 3-2 win over Thailand in the second leg of the ASEAN Cup final, culminating in a 5-3 aggregate win and marking the first time Thailand has ever lost both legs of an ASEAN Cup final.

Vietnam’s unbeaten path to the title featured seven wins and a draw, a feat unmatched in the competition’s 29-year history, as they finished with a record 21 goals and their highest goal difference ever.

Tony Abbey, who moved to Vietnam from England eight years ago, admits he was initially doubtful he would find football passion comparable to that of his home country. But the zealous football culture in Vietnam, especially evident during the 2018 AFC U23 Championship final played in a snowstorm in Changzhou, China, changed his opinion.

“Football is an essential part of life and a source of national pride here,” he reflects.

He has seen people celebrate wins–sometimes even losses–as an expression of their patriotism. He describes with surprise scenes of families, friends and even entire offices sit together to watch games in public spaces, setting up televisions in alleys or large screens at workplaces.

“The Vietnamese habit of congregating to celebrate makes their love for football contagious,” he says.

Despite not regularly following the V. League, Abbey keeps up with the national team’s performances and speaks about the enthusiasm of European tourists who participate eagerly in the local celebrations. When he went to a bar in Thu Duc City on Sunday he found that foreigners made up 70% of the audience, all keenly discussing and analyzing the game.

Richard Harcus, a Scottish football consultant with over a decade of experience in Vietnam, also refers to Vietnam’s deep-rooted football culture. According to him, the Vietnamese love for football and country is palpable in the stadium stands and even more so on the streets of HCMC.

Richard Harcus (R) at a bar in Thao Dien, Ho Chi Minh City, Jan.5, 2025.

share iHe highlights the recent victories over Thailand as a significant milestone for Vietnam, establishing the nation as a formidable team in the region.

“The team doesn’t rely on just one star player as many might think, but performs cohesively,” he says. “It’s a joy to see [Vietnamese midfielder Nguyen] Quang Hai making a comeback and playing as outstandingly as he did in the past.”

- A word from our sponsors -

spot_img

Most Popular

More from Author

Let your brain “survive” in the ocean of knowledge

In this era of information explosion, knowledge floods in like a...

Music revolution: Global top-notch concerts

When music is not just an art form but a revolution,...

Dior Spring-Summer 2025: An epic about contemporary femininity

In a magical space where time seems to pause with the...

From the runway to the market – Southeast Asian fashion’s grand stage

At SEA Fashion Week 2025, fashion is not just a performance...

- A word from our sponsors -

spot_img

Read Now

Let your brain “survive” in the ocean of knowledge

In this era of information explosion, knowledge floods in like a rising tide, and not everyone has the stamina to swim through this vast ocean without growing weary. As the volume of knowledge continues to mount, the key is not merely to learn more, but to learn...

Music revolution: Global top-notch concerts

When music is not just an art form but a revolution, recent concerts around the world have proven this with an unmatched power, intensity, and passion. Each melody played, each blinding light on stage, is not just a performance by the artists, but a fusion of emotions,...

Dior Spring-Summer 2025: An epic about contemporary femininity

In a magical space where time seems to pause with the graceful flow of the dress hems, Dior Spring-Summer 2025 emerges like a majestic ode to feminine strength. With her timeless vision, Maria Grazia Chiuri masterfully blends the house’s treasured heritage with the spirit of the times,...

From the runway to the market – Southeast Asian fashion’s grand stage

At SEA Fashion Week 2025, fashion is not just a performance – it is a comprehensive strategy, where the runway becomes a commercial platform, and the spotlight illuminates an entire massive value chain behind the scenes. This is not a traditional fashion week, but a complex, multi-layered...

Tran Ngoc Yen leaving strong impressions in Vietnam’s junior modeling field with professional demeanors

At an age when many children are still shy in front of crowds, Tran Ngoc Yen has shown a different demeanor: confident, composed, and full of emotion on stage. Her selection to join Global Junior Fashion Week 2025 as a Global Ambassador is a testament to that...

Spanish literature and architecture: The engagement of shapes and words

Spain is not only known for its Moorish arches, terracotta roofs, and sun-drenched squares, but also as the birthplace of captivating literary works. There, form and language do not merely coexist – they intertwine, support, and reflect each other, like a perfect marriage between visual art and...

Golden silk on the silver screen: Fashion and the scriptless stories

Fashion in cinema is not just an outer garment – it is a silent yet powerful language. Through every stitch and seam, characters become more vivid, their pasts are hinted at, their personalities are etched, and even their inner conflicts are woven into each layer of fabric....

Restoring memories – When the old living environment is the material for novel creativity

There are memories like waves that never rest – always lapping gently in the unconscious, caressing and seeking a new path. They are fragments of time, traces from a world that once was, yet within each speck of that dust of memory lies the potential for miraculous...

Vietnam delicacies alluring international visitors

Vietnam is not only famous for its stunning natural landscapes but also for its culinary paradise that captivates visitors with iconic dishes. From the fragrant pho to the crispy banh mi, each dish carries its own cultural story and unique flavor. Many international travelers have fallen in...

Popcorn Brain Syndrome – When the brain “bursts” amid the digital era

Have you ever felt exhausted even though you haven’t done much? Your mind keeps jumping from one thought to another, yet nothing really sticks? You might be a victim of a modern-day phenomenon – Popcorn Brain. Like kernels that get so hot they burst, the modern brain...

The variation of time: Aristino’s “Continuing the Legend” on the runway of legacy

Transcending the tangible boundaries of clothing, Aristino’s collection “Continuing the Legend” is not merely a showcase of form and structure, but a powerful declaration of the intersection between Vietnamese cultural heritage and the spirit of contemporary innovation. Deeply inspired by the bamboo tree – a symbol of...

Declaration of beauty and international vision: Crystal Star 2025 officially initiating the series of strategic projects

Ho Chi Minh City, April 15, 2025 – In the luxurious, prestigious setting of Galleria Center – Ho Chi Minh City, Crystal Star Entertainment (CSE) officially launched its key beauty projects for 2025 with a press conference unveiling two international competitions: Miss & Mister Celebrity Vietnam 2025...