Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc awards U23 Vietnam members and chief coach Park Han-seo (Photo: VGP)

On Sunday night, Mr. Phuc had a meeting with U23 Vietnam members and chief coach Park Han-seo, after they had a long journey on numerous streets of Hanoi. The PM awarded the first class Labor Order to U23 Vietnam football team and third-class Labor Order to chief coach Park, a Republic of Korean national, midfielder Nguyen Quang  Hai and goal keeper Bui Tien Dung for their excellent achievements at the AFC U23 Championship. On the behalf of the U23 Vietnam squad, the head coach presented a ball with signatures by the coach and all players to the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Phuc praised the team’s solidarity, physical strength, bravery, and self-confidence to compete for Vietnam. He appreciated the special role head coach Park Hang-seo in leading and inspiring confidence in the team and promoting their potential, thus making a wonder for football.
Mr. Phuc asked the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam Football Federation, other ministries and localities to learn lessons from the tournament to promote football movements, train young footballers and develop professional football.

Fans welcome  the national young football squad at the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi (Photo: Truong Giang)

Later in the night, tens of thousands of football fans enthusiastically welcomed the national young football squad at the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi. Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong, President Tran Dai Quang and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan sent flowers to congratulate the team.

Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien said that over the past 2 weeks, the Vietnamese have lived in joy, happiness, and pride of the U23 football team, who came 2^nd at the AFC championship for the first time in history. He thanked the Vietnamese fans for their strong support for the young players’ amazing victory.