Members of Vietnam’s U23 football team at SEA Games 31. (Photo: VNA)

ESPN, the American sports channel, said, “Vietnam retain Southeast Asian Games gold medal against Thailand to prove they are still a force to be reckoned with, it was a victory with plenty of significance.”

French news agency AFP highlighted the ecstatic atmosphere in Vietnam following the win. Thousands of people waving flags poured into the streets of Hanoi and other cities after the SEA Games host beat fierce rivals Thailand 1-0 in the men's football final.

South Korea’s Chosun said the Vietnam U23 football team deservedly won the SEA Games 31 championship, having not conceded a goal since the beginning of the tournament.

The MK newspaper spoke of the magic of coach Park Hang-seo helping Vietnam win two consecutive SEA Games championship in men's soccer.

The Yonhap news agency had a similar story praising coach Park Hang-seo and the Vietnamese players for successfully defending their gold medal