Thousands of residents flooded major streets in Hanoi (above) and HCM City the early hours following the final whistle of the match between Vietnam U23 and UAE U23, celebrating the team’s advance to the last four of the continental tournament.
About 30 minutes after the game ended, streams of people converged on Nguyen Hue pedestrian street in HCM City, quickly turning the area into the centre of a spontaneous street celebration.
By 2 am, Nguyen Hue Street was packed with revellers, forming a sea of red as national flags filled the boulevard.
Cheers, chants and the sound of horns echoed through the city in a night of celebration with little sign of sleep.
Many young fans dressed in creative costumes and waved red flags with yellow stars, blending into the jubilant crowds that spilled across surrounding streets.
Everyday objects became makeshift cheering tools, adding to the festive atmosphere as supporters celebrated the victory.
Vietnam’s national flag was waved high throughout the city centre, accompanied by continuous shouts of joy during what many described as a historic night.
Amid the crowds, both Vietnamese and South Korean flags were visible, reflecting supporters’ affection for the South Korean head coach and the strong bond between fans and the coaching staff.
Children also joined the celebrations, staying up late to accompany their families into the streets to share in the joy.
“I just wanted to be part of the shared atmosphere and celebrate the national team’s victory,” said Huu Duy, one of the revellers.
Fireworks were lit up as fans celebrate the victory in Hanoi.
It was the first time in eight years, since Vietnam’s famous U23 Asian Cup run in Changzhou, China, that residents of Ho Chi Minh City had taken to the streets to celebrate the team reaching the semi-finals once again.