VietNamNet Bridge – Around 175 football fans will arrive in Jakarta, Indonesia on November 19, on a hired aircraft of Vietnam Airlines, to cheer up the Vietnamese U-23 football team at the SEA Games 2011.
Tran Song Hai, vice chair of the Vietnam Football Fans’ Association, said that football fans have to pay nearly VND17 million ($800) for the trip. These fans will attend the semi-final match on November 19.

An advance group of 20 fans, including Hai, went to Indonesia on November 3 to watch Vietnam’s opening game against the Philippines the same day.

According to Hai, tours to Indonesia during the SEA Games are priced highly, around $1,400 so they are not attractive to fans. Hiring an aircraft is seen as a solution to cut cost. Hai also called for Vietnamese fans to go to Indonesia to support Vietnamese athletes.

A famous football fan, with nickname golden buffalo Tuan, has prepared for the trip to Indonesia with 15 others on November 14. Tuan, 62, said he would bring two big dragons and one eagle and other things to Indonesia as “cheering tools.”

“I spent nearly $100 to make two special costumes for me. I also order 8 similar sets of costumes for other fans. I’m confident that our costumes would be the most impressive to attract the attention of the audiences to call for them to support our team,” Tuan said.

This senior fan has devoted his love to the national football squad for dozens of years. He said he spent all of pension in items used to cheer up the national football team and to follow the team around the country and to abroad.

Tuan said the SEA Games 2011 would be his last overseas trip to support the national team because he is 62 now. “I hope that in my last trip I will see the national team raising the championship cu,” he added.

T.H