The match was played at Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City stadium in Saudi Arabia at 10.30 pm Vietnam time. In Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, large crowds gathered at public viewing areas to watch the game on giant LED screens.
Thousands of supporters flocked to Nguyen Hue pedestrian street, where large screens were installed for fans and tourists. The area was awash with red national flags, team shirts and drums, creating a vibrant atmosphere.
In the first half, U23 Vietnam played with determination and resilience, holding a balanced contest against their opponents. Although no goals were scored, fans in Ho Chi Minh City continued chanting to encourage the players.
After the break, however, U23 Vietnam struggled to find their rhythm and came under sustained pressure. In the 48th minute, from a corner kick, Peng Xiao headed home from close range to open the scoring for U23 China.
Minutes later, the Vietnamese defence was breached again when Xiang Yuwang showed skill inside the penalty area before finishing calmly to make it 2-0.
The turning point came in the 75th minute when Ly Duc was shown a straight red card following a reaction to a Chinese player. With a numerical advantage, U23 China scored again to seal a 3-0 victory.
As goals went in, anxiety was etched on the faces of supporters. Many clutched their heads in disappointment, eyes fixed on the screen in faint hope of a comeback.
Some foreign tourists were also visibly emotional.
Several fans were seen wiping away tears.
Some supporters left early after China extended their lead, but many stayed until the final whistle, applauding the young Vietnamese players despite the defeat.
In Hanoi, thousands of fans filled central streets and public areas to cheer for U23 Vietnam.
Crowds gathered at cafes and bars along streets such as Ta Hien, Luong Ngoc Quyen and Dang Van Ngu, joined by foreign visitors sharing the atmosphere.
Supporters struggled to contain their emotions as the goals were conceded.
With the result, U23 Vietnam will play South Korea in the third-place playoff on the evening of January 23.