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Fans flood the streets in red as Vietnam edge South Korea in nerve-shredding shootout to claim U23 Asian Cup third place

By Staff reporters   January 23, 2026 | 03:57 pm PT
From Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, streets erupted in the early hours of Saturday as waves of fans celebrated Vietnam's heart-stopping 7-6 penalty shootout victory over South Korea following a breathless 2-2 draw in the U23 Asian Cup third-place match.

FANS IN HO CHI MINH CITY POUR ONTO STREETS AFTER FINAL WHISTLE

Hundreds of fans watching the game live on Nguyen Hue walking street erupt in cheers and leap with excitement as Vietnam drew 2-2 with South Korea after extra time before clinching a dramatic 7-6 victory in the penalty shootout in the third-place match of the U23 Asian Cup. Photo by Thanh Tung

Hundreds of fans watching the game live on Nguyen Hue walking street erupt in cheers and leap with excitement as Vietnam drew 2-2 with South Korea after extra time before clinching a dramatic 7-6 victory in the penalty shootout in the third-place match of the U23 Asian Cup. Photo by Thanh Tung
A fan raises a Vietnam banner on Nguyen Hue Street to celebrate the victory. Photo by Thanh Tung

A fan raises a "Vietnam" banner on Nguyen Hue Street to celebrate the victory. Photo by Thanh Tung
A female fan bursts out in tears after the teams hard-fought win. Photo by Thanh Tung

A female fan bursts out in tears after the team's hard-fought win. Photo by Thanh Tung
Fans erupt in celebration on a street in Ho Chi Minh City as the Vietnamese team secured victory over South Korea after a tense penalty shootout.

Fans erupt in celebration on a street in Ho Chi Minh City as the Vietnamese team secured victory over South Korea after a tense penalty shootout.
Vietnam and foreign fans join the celeration.

Vietnam and foreign fans join the celeration.
Thousands of people wave flags and blow horns, creating a vibrant, festive atmosphere along Ton Duc Thang Street leading to Ba Son Bridge in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by Thanh Tung

Thousands of people wave flags and blow horns, creating a vibrant, festive atmosphere along Ton Duc Thang Street leading to Ba Son Bridge in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by Thanh Tung
Ba Son Bridge is packed with celebrating fans. Photo by Dinh Van

Ba Son Bridge is packed with celebrating fans. Photo by Dinh Van
At 1:30 a.m., a stream of people and vehicles celebrating the victory stretches for more than a kilometer, causing severe traffic congestion around Ba Son Bridge in downtown HCMC. Photo by Quynh Tran

At 1:30 a.m., a stream of people and vehicles celebrating the victory stretches for more than a kilometer, causing severe traffic congestion around Ba Son Bridge in downtown HCMC. Photo by Quynh Tran
Fans cheering on Ba Son Bridge. Photo by Quynh Tran

Fans cheering on Ba Son Bridge. Photo by Quynh Tran
Thousands of people cheered, shook hands, and joined in the celebrations on Ba Son Bridge. Photo by Quynh Tran

Thousands of people cheered, shook hands, and joined in the celebrations on Ba Son Bridge. Photo by Quynh Tran
At 2 a.m., the intersection of Ton Duc Thang and Nguyen Huu Canh streets remains jammed with crowds celebrating the victory, prompting traffic police to deploy officers on site to direct traffic. Photo by Quynh Tran

At 2 a.m., the intersection of Ton Duc Thang and Nguyen Huu Canh streets remains jammed with crowds celebrating the victory, prompting traffic police to deploy officers on site to direct traffic. Photo by Quynh Tran
A group of young men climb up a cement mixer truck on Ba Son Street to celebrate. Photo by Quynh Tran

A group of young men climb up a cement mixer truck on Ba Son Street to celebrate. Photo by Quynh Tran
Two young women dance and cheer from a convertible parked on Ton Duc Thang Street amid the jubilant crowds. Photo by Quynh Tran

Two young women dance and cheer from a convertible parked on Ton Duc Thang Street amid the jubilant crowds. Photo by Quynh Tran
Celebrating in style on Ba Son Bridge. Photo by Quynh Tran

Celebrating in style on Ba Son Bridge. Photo by Quynh Tran

HANOI FANS CELEBRATE AMID 10 C COLD WAVE

Some young people lit flares at the entrance to the Kim Lien Tunnel in Hanoi. Photo by Hoang Giang

Some young people lit flares at the entrance to the Kim Lien Tunnel in Hanoi. Photo by Hoang Giang
On Le Duan Street in Hanoi, Roberto, an Italian, joins in the celebration. I always follow Vietnam’s matches and celebrate with the crowds whenever they win, he said.

On Le Duan Street in Hanoi, Roberto, an Italian, joins in the celebration. "I always follow Vietnam’s matches and celebrate with the crowds whenever they win," he said.
A group of young fans in Hanoi wave flags and cheer on the street at 2 a.m.

A group of young fans in Hanoi wave flags and cheer on the street at 2 a.m.
A saucepan joins the jubilation.

A saucepan joins the jubilation.
Young fans stir up Hanoi area from Kim Lien Tunnel to Dai Co Viet. Photo by Hoang Giang

Young fans stir up Hanoi area from Kim Lien Tunnel to Dai Co Viet. Photo by Hoang Giang
Two foreign tourists join the parade in Da Nang. Photo by Nguyen Dong

Two foreign tourists join the parade in Da Nang. Photo by Nguyen Dong
Two young women on the parade in Da Nang. Many central streets in Da Nang, including 2/9, Nguyen Van Linh, and Bach Dang, remained packed at 2:10 a.m. on Saturday with revelers waving national flags and chanting Vietnam wins! Numerous young delivery workers and ride-hailing drivers joined the celebrations. Police were deployed across key areas to patrol traffic and address cases of unruly driving. Photo by Nguyen Dong

Two young women on the parade in Da Nang. Many central streets in Da Nang, including 2/9, Nguyen Van Linh, and Bach Dang, remained packed at 2:10 a.m. on Saturday with revelers waving national flags and chanting "Vietnam wins!" Numerous young delivery workers and ride-hailing drivers joined the celebrations. Police were deployed across key areas to patrol traffic and address cases of unruly driving. Photo by Nguyen Dong
Da Nang chills at around 20 degrees Celsius at night, an ideal condition for the street parade. Photo by Nguyen Dong

Da Nang chills at around 20 degrees Celsius at night, an ideal condition for the street parade. Photo by Nguyen Dong
A deliveryman in Da Nang joins the parade in colors. Photo by Nguyen Dong

A deliveryman in Da Nang joins the parade in colors. Photo by Nguyen Dong
 
 
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