The vibrant and passionate atmosphere generated by Vietnamese football fans during the ongoing UEFA Euro 2024 has left many foreigners in awe of the enthusiasm and fervor on display.

Marcel Lennartz, a 53-year-old Dutch engineer working in Ho Chi Minh City, said he often goes to a bar in District 1 to enjoy matches of the 2024 UEFA European Football Championship, or UEFA Euro 2024. 

He has watched football matches with his friends at the bar for over 20 years.

Lennartz praised the venue for its lively atmosphere, large screens, and loud sounds, calling it the perfect place to watch football matches.

Vietnamese fans cheered for every goal, no matter which team scored.

"The streets were boisterous. The energy from the crowd excites me," Lennartz remarked.

Watching football matches in Vietnam reminds him of the last time he enjoyed UEFA Euro games in his hometown 30 years earlier.

At the time, Lennartz and his friends gathered at a local pub.

He even went to Amsterdam where residents were enjoying a big party after the Netherlands won a match.

“I bet that Vietnamese people also share their love of football when teams win matches by cheering," he said.

“Vietnamese people are fond of football. I see them taking to the streets in Saigon [the old name of Ho Chi Minh City but it is still in popular use]. They are hospitable and often invite foreigners to drink beer, enjoy dishes, cheer, or take photos with them.”

He said that he did not watch football matches with strangers in the Netherlands 30 years back.

“However, I am moved by the warmth and hospitality of Vietnamese people to foreigners," he admitted.

“Vietnamese people are friendly. They are the reason for my long stay in Vietnam.”

He recalled his memories of watching UEFA Euro matches during his first days in Vietnam. At the time, he encouraged his country’s team.

A young Vietnamese man tried to get into a conversation with him and asked where he was from.

After he answered, the man laughed loudly and said, “You are joking. Dutch people are black but you are white.”

The man showed Lennartz a photo of Dutch footballers and most of them are black, so he concluded that all Dutch people are black.

Lennartz explained to him that his country has people of all colors as the Netherlands is a multicultural nation.

Last weekend, Lennartz was in Quy Nhon, the capital city of Binh Dinh Province in south-central Vietnam, and saw bustling eateries cheering.

“I think tourists will be happy to jointly enjoy football matches with locals. Let's come to any beer joint or restaurant. Of course, do not drink before driving. Learn how to say no if others force you to drink too much," he added.

“Locals like saying 'mot, hai, ba, yo!' [One, two, three, cheers!] and they hope foreigners will do that with them.”

Zach Moffatt, 30, an American teacher in Ho Chi Minh City, expressed his admiration for the strong love Vietnamese people have for football, evident as they watch matches broadcast late at night.

During UEFA Euro 2024, he noticed many people wearing football attire outdoors. Many restaurants stay open late to accommodate fans eager to watch the games.

Some establishments have even installed large screens for their clients to better enjoy the matches.

Since the tournament is taking place in Europe, many of the games air late at night in Vietnam.

“A friend that I met last night said that he would return home at 8:00 pm, sleep, and get up at 2:00 am the next day to watch a football match,” Moffatt recalled.

He added that an Ireland-style pub called The Rabbit Hole in Binh Thanh District is an ideal venue for foreigners to watch football matches. At the pub, they feel like they are in their homeland.

“However, if you want to experience the UEFA Euro atmosphere, you do not need to seek elsewhere. Ask your friends when the next match will be and join them," Moffatt said.

“If you go outside alone, you will see a lot of TV screens showing matches. This is an unforgettable experience when living in Vietnam.”

Anders Krystad, a 68-year-old Norwegian living in Thua Thien-Hue Province, central Vietnam, often watches the matches at home with his family.

He sometimes view football matches outside.

Krystad said his family, especially his Vietnamese wife, loves the Beautiful Game a lot.

They went to France to watch a UEFA Euro match between Sweden and Ireland eight years ago.

He thinks France, Italy, Spain, and Germany are strong teams this year, especially Germany. 

“England is like a joke,” he commented.

Tourists should watch football matches with local residents and avoid illegal betting and driving after drinking, Krystad advised.

He observed that the football watching atmosphere in Vietnam is wonderful.

Everyone likes gathering together to watch the games and taking to the streets after that, which he said is imposing but dangerous. 

Therefore, he often stays at home to enjoy the tournament.

Like us on Facebook or  follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!