Be prepared to stay home tonight, expats, if you do not like crowds and all kinds of noise as Ho Chi Minh City streets will likely be crawling with people and vehicles celebrating Vietnam’s expected qualification for the finale of the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup, or the Southeast Asian football championship.

Vietnam are set to play Malaysia at 7:00 pm tonight in Hanoi in the second leg of their semifinal after the Vietnamese beat their Malaysian rivals 2-1 in the first leg in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.

A draw will book Vietnam a spot in the finale where Thailand, who defeated the Philippines 3-0 in Bangkok last night after a goalless draw in Manila on Saturday last week, are waiting for them.

The hosts are believed to get a good result in this semifinal game and advance to the final on account of myriad advantages from quality players, a smart Japanese coach to huge support from the home fans at the 40,000-seat My Dinh Stadium. 

Vietnamese fans are shown celebrating in Ho Chi Minh City after their team's 2-1 win over Malaysia in the first leg of their 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup semifinal at the Shah Alam Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on December 7, 2014. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Thousands of people are expected to pour into the streets to celebrate after the game ends around 9:00 pm so do not be surprised or mistake it for a protest or any drill or the like.

On December 7, following Vietnam’s 2-1 victory over Malaysia, thousands of football fans flocked to Ho Chi Minh City streets, waving the national flag and causing a chaotic traffic situation.

Vietnamese supporters cheer on their team in the first leg of the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup semifinal against Malaysia at the Shah Alam Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on December 7, 2014. Photo: Tuoi Tre

Besides football maniacs, criminals also took advantage of the festive atmosphere to pickpocket, rob people of motorcycles, and even organize illegal motorcycle racing.

From late December 7 to the morning of December 8, city traffic police officers seized around 200 vehicles with numerous kinds of traffic violations, including driving in the wrong lane, speeding, and zigzagging. 

In 2008, an ocean of people also took to the streets for an overnight celebration in the city after Vietnam beat Thailand 3-2 on aggregate to win the trophy.

Vietnamese are seen rushing to the streets in Ho Chi Minh City for an overnight celebration after Vietnam beat Thailand 3-2 on aggregate to win the trophy of the 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup. Photo: Tuoi Tre

But for those expats who do want to join locals tonight in the event that Vietnam earn at least one point, do not worry as city police have promised to take full control of everything.

Police officers will coordinate with one another to stop any possible disruptions, including such dangerous driving acts as speeding, zigzagging and racing throughout the night and the following morning, Lieutenant Colonel Tran Thanh Tra, head of the Ho Chi Minh City Traffic Police Department, told newswire VnExpress.

Foreigners are pictured joining locals in celebrating Vietnam's 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup title in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Tuoi Tre

From 6:00 pm this evening, reconnaissance forces will visit areas where illegal motorcycle racing often occurs and many teenagers are gathered to inform police leaders to draw up timely plans.

The police forces will then take measures to record these cases as evidence in case of disruptive acts.

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