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Hundreds defy heat to join International Pillow Fight Day in Vietnam

Hundreds defy heat to join International Pillow Fight Day in Vietnam

Saturday, April 04, 2015, 17:46 GMT+7

The scorching sunlight in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday afternoon did not keep around a hundred people away from slugging it out on the 2015 International Pillow Fight Day.

The pillow fighters, including both local residents and expats, eagerly participated in the fourth annual event in the District 1-based 23/9 Park.

The event, where participation was free, was held by Wake Up Saigon to respond to the International Pillow Fight Day, which is organized in more than 120 cities worldwide every April.

The event organizer, Julian Ajello, said he hoped to bring the fun of the pillow-fighting day he used to enjoy in his hometown in the U.S. to where he has now been living for over five years.

“I found that there was a language and cultural barrier and I want to bring a little fun stuff idea from home, so I got together some friends to organize this International Pillow Fight Day which is an actual event that is going on around the world every year,” Ajello told Tuoi Tre News.

“The idea is basically to integrate westerners with the Vietnamese people. I mean when you start hitting people with pillows no one is shy about talking or about their English or their Vietnamese anymore and they get along very well,” he added.

Lasting for half an hour from 1:15 pm, the event was filled with sweat and laughter from participants, many of whom said they would come back next year.

Participants of all ages were requested to bring soft pillows without zippers, tassels, or metal.

Fighters had to remove their glasses and put their cameras away, before the fight. They were also required to swing lightly and avoid hitting people without pillows.

Some even donned pajamas to enjoy their “bedtime” or wore superman masks to give them “superpower,” as George Berczely, one of the pillow fighters, explained.

“My son and I came here to have fun with some other people on weekends,” Berczely added. “It’s great to make the city a fun place. Next year I will be here with a bigger pillow.”

“It’s really fun,” Berczely’s little son said.

Ajello admitted that this year saw a smaller number of participants than last year, apparently due to the burning heat and because many foreigners have left the country.

But he is mulling over a bigger event in 2016, and wants to bring it to other big cities such as Hanoi and Da Nang.

Below are some photos taken at the event:

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Pillow fighters gather at the 2015 International Pillow Fight Day event in the 23/9 Park in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, on April 4, 2015. Photo: Dong Nguyen

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Ready, set, pillow fight!!!! Photo: Dong Nguyen

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A pillow fighter, Craig Smith (R), is pictured in his pajama at the 2015 International Pillow Fight Day event in the 23/9 Park in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, on April 4, 2015. Photo: Dong Nguyen

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“David and Goliath.” Photo: Dong Nguyen

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Better watch out, adults! “Little fighters” are coming!Photo: Dong Nguyen

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“Girls just want to have fun.” Photo: Dong Nguyen

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Maggie Mighozzi, who has lived in Ho Chi Minh City for two months, takes pictures of her friends at the 2015 International Pillow Fight Day event in the 23/9 Park in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, on April 4, 2015. Photo: Dong Nguyen

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“Don’t bother me. I’m a pillow fighter and I’m taking a nap.” Photo: Dong Nguyen

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DONG NGUYEN - BINH MINH/ TUOI TRE NEWS

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