“After the SEA Games, I will bring my wife, children and family to Vietnam”

One afternoon at the Palace of Athletics, Yamint, a reporter for Thai channel 7 asked me, “Do you know where egg coffee is sold? My wife told me when I come to Vietnam to drink egg coffee”. After chatting for a while, Yamint shared, this is his first time coming to Vietnam. Previously in his mind, traveling in Southeast Asia was only Malaysia or Singapore. However, after nearly 10 days of working in Vietnam, his opinion has changed.

A reporter from Thailand radio said: “In the past, I only knew about Vietnam through the Internet and you know, as a reporter, those images made me suspicious. I don’t think Vietnam is so beautiful, I like this place already. In this SEA Games, I was able to go to Ha Long. Hanoi is also very beautiful, very natural with many trees. Traffic is a bit bad but that’s okay. Because of my career, I can’t learn much, so I will definitely bring my wife and children and family to Vietnam to play.”

Regarding the organization, Yamint feels most impressed with the young volunteers. “My English is not good, but the volunteers were very enthusiastic in guiding little by little (laughs). You know, working abroad for the first time is not easy, but really young Vietnamese people have helped me complete the work.”

Journalist Reyez (left) and author.

Meanwhile, Reyez, a veteran reporter from the Philippines who is 50 years old this year and has worked in many major sports events such as the SEA Games, Asian Games or the Olympic Games, was also very surprised by what the host country was up to. Vietnam can do it at this congress. According to Mr. Reyez, the organization of the SEA Games at this time has been a great success for the host country.

Mr. Reyez expressed surprise to Vietnamese fans: “I think today is a holiday in Vietnam, so the stands are full, even in competitions without the home team, the audience is still very large. This is very rare in sports events.”

As someone who had been to Vietnam 19 years before the 22nd SEA Games took place, journalist Reyez compared, Vietnam has changed a lot after nearly 20 years: “I can’t imagine your country developing so quickly. Vietnam’s sports have also developed a lot, especially those within the Olympic framework.

There are things that have not changed, that is, Vietnamese cuisine is still very attractive and you are still as hospitable. I just drank Vietnamese coffee, it’s too strong and my heart is pounding. I will buy some to bring back to the Philippines as a gift.”

Mr. Sakorn Sukpuang worked at the 31st SEA Games

Chung commented to Mr. Reyez, Mr. Sakorn Sukpuang, a member of the Thai Rattan Bridge Federation, commented: “Compared to nearly 20 years ago, Vietnam’s achievements in Caucasus alone are not as good, perhaps you practice. focus more on Olympic sports. I’m quite sad about this because I usually cheer for the Vietnamese team, but I’m also happy to have attended the most impressive SEA Games ever.”

Regarding the organization, Mr. Sakorn said: “Currently, it is a difficult time because of Covid-19 and each country is affected to a certain extent, so is Thailand. Even China had to stop hosting the Asian Games. Therefore, organizing such a large-scale sports festival is not an easy thing and small shortcomings in the organization are inevitable.”

Quang Trung