Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc takes photos with the teams at the Government Office on December 11

This is the first time the Vietnamese men’s football team has won gold medal at the SEA Games in 60 years.

Speaking at the meeting, PM Phuc said that people nationwide shared the achievement of the teams.

"I saw thousands of people in the southernmost province of Ca Mau gather to cheer on the men’s football team in the final clash," he said.

Many HCM City streets were quite deserted on early Wednesday morning as people were sleeping after staying up overnight to celebrate the football triumph.

PM Phuc expressed the deep thanks to coaches Park Hang Seo and Mai Duc Chung as well as their assistants who contributed to the squads’ gold medal.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc gets the signed shirts

The government will consider creating more favourable conditions for coaches and players to continue the country’s football development.

“Behind players are the whole nation, the spirit and the aspiration of Vietnam, which is the most important thing. This is the victory of patriotism,” the PM emphasised.

Phuc also asked midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai about the injury that meant he was absent from the final clash.

Coach Park Hang Seo of the U22 men’s team thanked the PM, the government, agencies and the Vietnamese people for strong support.

Mai Duc Chung, coach of the women’s squad, recalled the intense moments of the matches at SEA Games 30, saying that this was the 6th gold medal for the team at the event.

Do Hung Dung, head of the U22 team, said that they had up to seven matches in just 15 days at the SEA Games and they had all tried their best to win.

PM thanked coaches Park Hang Seo and Mai Duc Chung

Do Quang Hien, chairman of Hanoi Football Club who Doan Van Hau previously played for, explained why Hau could play at SEA Games 30. Hien said that before transferring Hau to Dutch club SC Heerenveen, he had asked the Dutch side to agree to him playing in the SEA Games 30. If they disagreed this, Hien would not sign the transfer contract. SC Heerenveen had agreed to the condition.

Hau scored two of the three goals in the final match.

Hien also announced to offer the bonus of VND2 billion (USD86,956) for each team.

Motorbikes given to the players

The Vietnam team at the SEA Games won 98 gold medals, hundreds of silver and bronze, and ranked second among the countries participating at SEA Games 30.

Their achievements will be honoured next week after the athletes return home from the Philippines.