An estimated 30,000 people attended the fan meeting event (Photo: Ha Khanh/VOV)

Young football stars (Photo: Ha Khanh/VOV)

At the ceremony, the municipal People’s Committee awarded 2.5 billion VND (110,000 USD) to the team. The coaches and young footballers shared their stories of training, competing for Vietnam and for their clubs, and their daily activities. Nguyen Thanh Van, a student of Ho Chi Minh city’s University of Economics, said “I am very happy to meet them. I wish them happiness and a championship title next year.”

Before the fan meeting, the U23 squad paid floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh in Nguyen Hue pedestrian street.