Vietnam turns a sea of red as U23 team prepares for cup final showdown

Name: Vietnam turns a sea of red as U23 team prepares for cup final showdown
Uploaded: 2018-01-27T12:25:39+07:00
Duration: 2 min 13 s
Description: National flags, banners, stickers and scarves are in high-demand in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

By Staff reporters January 26, 2018 | 09:25 pm PT

National flags, banners, stickers and scarves are in high-demand in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

While Vietnam's U23 football team gears up for the momentous AFC Championship final against Uzbekistan on Saturday in Changzhou, China, their fans back home are also busy suiting up in red.

After the impressive celebrations with seas of red flags for the semi-final win over Qatar, Vietnamese fans are in the hunt for national flags in all sizes, red T-shirts and stickers.

After the impressive celebrations with seas of red for the semifinal win over Qatar, Vietnamese fans are on the hunt for national flags in all sizes, and red T-shirts and stickers.

Street side sellers have quickly seized the business opportunity, putting up stalls of flags and plastic trumpets.

Streetside vendors have quickly seized the opportunity, putting up stalls selling flags and plastic trumpets.

Make some noise for VND40,000.

I pocketed VND2million in the semi-final night alone, said Cong Nguyen, a 24-year-old flag seller. I hope we will win the cup this afternoon.

“I pocketed VND2million on the semifinal night alone,” said Cong Nguyen, a 24-year-old flag vendor. “I hope we win the cup this afternoon.”

Hang Ma Street in Hanoi has also been busier than ever. Famous for selling paper crafts, home decorations and toys, the street has been flocked in with football keen fans, looking for national flags and trumpets.

Hang Ma Street in Hanoi has also been busier than ever. Famous for selling paper crafts, home decorations and toys, the street has been mobbed by football fans looking for national flags and trumpets.

Banners of the South Korean coach Park Hang-seo are a hit before the game.

Banners of the South Korean coach Park Hang-seo have proved a hit before the game.

I have to buy one the night before the final, or they are all sold out, said a woman about her new VND80,000 flag.

“I'm buying one the night before the final or they'll all be sold out,” said a woman about her new VND80,000 flag.

A flag T-shirt is sold for VND80,000 each, and VND650,000 for 10 of them. Red is the official color of the Vietnamese team.

T-shirt are selling for VND80,000 each, or VND650,000 for 10. Red is the official color of the Vietnamese team.

My friends and I bought the flags, shirts and banner whole sale, said a university student. We are prepared to greet the team at the airport when they come back.

“My friends and I bought the flags, shirts and banners wholesale,” said a university student. “We are preparing to greet the players at the airport when they return.”

Vietnam's U23 team has shocked the nation, and the continent, with its extraordinary run at the AFC Championship 2018 in China.

Considered an underdog in the group stage, the team under the leadership of newly appointed coach Park Hang-seo has overcome regional powerhouses Australia, Iraq and Qatar along its historic journey.

The final showdown is against Uzbekistan on Saturday afternoon.