Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked ministries, agencies, localities and police forces nationwide to take measures to ensure safety, security and order before, during and after the final of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U23 Championship between Vietnam and Uzbekistan.

A policeman directs traffic on a street in Hanoi as crowds flock to major streets to celebrate the U23 football team’s victory over Qatar on January 23.

Vietnam will play Uzbekistan at 3pm (Vietnam time) today in Changzhou, China, after beating Qatar 4-3 in a penalty shootout on January 23.

The Ministries of Public Security, Transport and Information and Communications and People’s Committees of localities were instructed to work with police forces, traffic inspectors and agencies to ensure security, order and traffic safety and guide activities for people to support the team.

Security units were tasked with detecting, preventing and dealing with activities that could harm public security or threaten traffic safety like illegal racing and violence.

The Ministry of Public Security has issued an urgent circular, asking police forces nationwide to take measures to not let any illegal racing happen, particularly in big cities and to be ready to deal with any circumstances.  

Nearly 2,000 Hanoi police will be mobilised to ensure traffic safety and order before, during and after the final match.

An official from the Hanoi Traffic Police Office said all local traffic police were asked to be ready on duty with 800 police on guard at more than 300 key areas before the final kicks off.

Mobile teams would also be set up to patrol to prevent any activities that threaten traffic safety, order and security, he said.

[Vietnam and Uzbekistan’s path to AFC U-23 final]

HCM City Police urged local police forces to increase patrols around the city to ensure traffic safety and order.

The Vietnamese Consulate General in Shanghai has asked the Organisation Board of the AFC Championship and relevant agencies of China to help Vietnamese fans buy tickets for the final and have measures to ensure security for them.

The Consulate General instructed Vietnamese fans in China to strictly follow regulations of the country.

In case of emergency, they can contact the hotlines of the Consulate General at 86.21.68555698; 86.13262651727; and 86.13636427223.

Hanoi and HCM City are planning to install LED screens in public venues to serve fans who want to watch the final between Vietnam and Uzbekistan.

The screens will be located at the walking street area around Hoan Kiem Lake and at the August Revolution Square, My Dinh Stadium, Hang Day Stadium, Hoa Binh Park and Thong Nhat Park.

In HCM City, screens will be set up at Nguyen Hue pedestrian street area.

Many universities have also installed LED screens for students to watch the final.

Vietnamese people are using a wide range of innovative activities to encourage the U23 team.

Many cars in Hanoi are painted red or decorated with national flags and images of the team.  

Workers at a construction site on Nguyen Trai Street in Hanoi have attached national flags to the metal hoardings in support of the U23 team. The 2.5m wide national flags are laid out to cover an area of 500sq.m, grabbing the attention of many passers-by.

Many businesses have adjusted working hours to allow workers to watch the match.

Nguyen Quoc Thanh, from Hanoi’s Dong Da district, said he was so excited and still could not believe the U23 team was in the final.

“Whether the U23 team win or not in the final, they are still brave warriors in the hearts of Vietnamese fans,” he said.

The Vietnam U23 team is scheduled to arrive home on January 28. They will have a short parade on a bus from Noi Bai international airport.

A ceremony in their honour will be held at My Dinh National Stadium at 6pm the same day. The ceremony will last until midnight and entry will be free for fans.-VNA