(VOVworld)-Vietnam will play host to the 2019 Asian Games, the Olympic Council of Asia announced at its plenary session in Macao, China, on Thursday. The country overcame bids from Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), who were deemed to be the strong candidates to organize the continent’s biggest sporting event. Vietnam has already ratified plans for new infrastructure projects aimed at introducing a new face in time for the sporting event, including inter-city link roads in the northern region. It has pledged to earmark US$150 million for the upcoming Games. It will be the first time for the Asian Games to be held in Vietnam, following the successful organization of the 22^nd SEA Games in 2003 and the third Asian Indoor Games in 2009. The country will also host the 2016 Asian Beach Games.