Although much of the city was asleep by around 2 am, streets in Hanoi's Old Quarter, including Ta Hien, Ma May, Luong Ngoc Quyen and Hang Buom, remained busy as supporters gathered to watch the match.
Many beer halls, pubs and restaurants stayed open through the night, installing extra large LED screens and filling indoor areas and pavements with tables and chairs to serve fans (Photo: Manh Quan)
Ta Hien, Hanoi's popular nightlife street, was the busiest spot well past midnight, with international visitors and local residents packing beer halls in a vibrant atmosphere. (Photo: Manh Quan)
One of the night's busiest venues was a beer hall on Hang Buom Street, where every seat had been taken nearly an hour before kick-off. Hundreds of fans filled all three floors and spilled onto the pavement outside. (Photo: Manh Quan)
Football fans packed the lawn of a café near West Lake as an enthusiastic atmosphere took hold from kick-off. (Photo: Hai Long)
French fans react after Adrien Rabiot's long-range effort missed the target during the opening stages of the World Cup semi-final against Spain. (Photo: Hai Long)
Spain fans celebrate after Mikel Oyarzabal converted a first-half penalty, awarded following a foul on Lamine Yamal, to give Spain a 1-0 lead over France in the 2026 World Cup semi-final. (Photo: Hai Long)
France fan Nguyen Thuy Minh Thu watches nervously as France trail Spain 1-0 late in the first half of the World Cup semi-final. (Photo: Hai Long)
France fans watched nervously as their team remained under sustained pressure and trailed Spain 1-0. (Photo: Hai Long)
Spain fans erupted in celebration in the 58th minute after Pedro Porro combined with Dani Olmo before scoring past France goalkeeper Mike Maignan to make it 2-0. (Photo: Manh Quan)
France fans, by contrast, looked dejected after their team conceded a second goal to Spain. (Photo: Manh Quan)
France fans fell silent after Pedro Porro doubled Spain's lead and sealed a 2-0 victory. (Photo: Manh Quan)
The World Cup semi-final turned Hanoi's Old Quarter into a vibrant gathering place for football fans from around the world, united across language and nationality by their love of the game. (Photo: Hai Long)