U23 Vietnam players look dashing at the Gala in Ho Chi Minh City

On the afternoon of February 4, U23 Vietnam was present at Nguyen Hue walking street to offer incense to Uncle Ho's statue. This was the first activity in the program honoring U23 Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City. Goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung and his teammates all wore red shirts with yellow stars.

Quang Hai got out of the car.

Captain Xuan Truong.

Defender Pham Xuan Manh.

Players offered flowers to Uncle Ho's statue.

U23 Vietnam bowed respectfully before Uncle Ho's statue.

Midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai.

Striker Nguyen Cong Phuong.

U23 Vietnam took a souvenir photo next to Uncle Ho's statue.

After 10 minutes, the players got on the bus and moved to Thong Nhat Stadium to interact with the fans. A large crowd of fans surrounded and shouted the names of each player.

Security forces had to work at full capacity to maintain order.

• 17:10

  Thong Nhat Stadium "exploded" to welcome the U23 Vietnam team

• 16:50

  Thong Nhat Stadium was bustling as the DJ started playing music, waiting for the U23 Vietnam team to enter the field.

  Exchange programU23 - Vietnamese spiritstarting at 4:45 pm, including 3 parts: honoring the U23 Vietnam team (celebrating achievements, giving rewards), drinking water and remembering its source (showing gratitude to those who laid the foundation for Vietnamese football to have today's success), passing on the fire (players passing on the fire and experience to the next generation).

  In addition, the organizers have some so-called "secret" performances - wanting to create special emotions for the players as well as the fans.

• 16:35

  Quite a few people who did not have tickets to meet with U23 had to gather in front of the big screens installed outside Thong Nhat Stadium.
  

  Fans without tickets sat outside to watch the exchange program on screen. Photo:Quoc Thang

  Mr. Nguyen Van Chinh (43 years old, living in Dong Nai) and his wife and two children traveled nearly 30 km to get here at 13:00 but did not have tickets to enter the stadium. "I could not get free tickets, could not buy tickets on the black market, so I had to sit outside to watch and cheer. This is also a way to show affection for U23," he said, laughing.
  

• 16:00

  Fans in Thong Nhat Stadium enthusiastically waited for the players.
  

• 15:35

  

  
  

  
  

  Young people cheered when they saw the bus carrying the Vietnam U23 team arrive at Thong Nhat Stadium. Photo:Thanh Nguyen

  In the stadium, there were many people holding Korean flags - the homeland of Coach Park Hang-seo.

• 15:10

  InNguyen Hue walking street(District 1, Ho Chi Minh City), more than a hundred young people gathered around the Uncle Ho statue, ready to welcome the U23 Vietnam team to offer incense.

• When the convoy arrived, the crowd of hundreds of young people shouted the names of every player they saw. After a tour around the walking street, the players went to offer incense at the statue of Uncle Ho. About 10 minutes later, the group got on the bus and drove to Thong Nhat Stadium.

• 14:50

  The stadium opened. Thousands of young people holding banners cheering for the U23 team entered one after another.

  "I was there at 9am. This is the first time I've come to an event so early, just to make sure I get to meet my idols," said Bich Phuong (living in Thu Duc district).

  A group of students from District 7 brought banners and pictures of their favorite players to the meeting with the U23 team this afternoon. Photo:Thanh Nguyen

  Phuong (residing in Thu Duc district) holds a photo of a football player. Photo:Thanh Nguyen

  Nhung and Kieu held pictures of three players Xuan Truong, Duc Chinh and goalkeeper Tien Dung to cheer. Photo:Thanh Nguyen

  Image of player Quang Hai among the crowd of Ho Chi Minh City fans. Photo:Thanh Nguyen

  Coming from Bien Hoa City (Dong Nai), Nhung and Kieu also arrived here very early, waiting to enter the stadium. "We knew about the exchange event with U23 Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City through Facebook. Since this morning, we have been eager to go very early to see our favorite players," Nhung said.

  Parking lots around Thong Nhat Stadium are overloaded. Many spontaneous lots charge 30,000-50,000 VND per car.