The excitement brought by the SEA Games can instead be felt around My Dinh National Stadium. A four-sided billboard 3 meters high and 2 m wide stands right in the center of the intersection.
By
ANGGER PUTRANTO
·4 minutes read
AFP/NHAC NGUYEN
A woman rides a bicycle past a banner for the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Hanoi on May 4, 2022, before the start of the multi-sport event on May 12. (Photo by Nhac NGUYEN / AFP)
Not many banners have been displayed in the airport and streets of Vietnam, where the 2021 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games are being held. However, that does not mean that the sporting event lacks liveliness. The 2021 SEA Games remain festive for Vietnam’s residents, who are experiencing the economic impact of ASEAN’s biggest sporting event.
Almost no décor can be found at Noi Bai International Airport, Hanoi, to mark the country as the host of the SEA Games. Only two vertical banners placed at immigration checkpoints can be seen. The streets of Hanoi are also void of SEA Games banners and billboards.
The excitement brought by the SEA Games can instead be felt around My Dinh National Stadium. A four-sided billboard 3 meters high and 2 m wide stands right in the center of the intersection. The words “welcome” and “compete” written in English and Vietnamese accompany an image of Sao La, the 2021 SEA Games mascot, on the billboard.
Opposite My Dinh National Stadium stands four tents, each 20 by 10 m. Visitors are welcomed at the gate out front with a sign that reads “Hanoi Great Souvenirs 2022”.
When athletes compete in the arena, it is under these tents that Vietnamese small and medium businesses get to celebrate. They sell a variety of merchandise, ranging from children’s toys, knick-knacks and traditional silk fabrics to jars and various woodcrafts.
Hung Cam, 54, is a merchant there. Accompanied by his wife, he mans two different stalls. Hung usually handles his stall of woodcarvings, while his wife oversaw a souvenir stall. However, Hung occasionally helps his wife when her stall is packed with shoppers.
Usually, on weekends, we earn about 1 million Vietnamese dong [US$43.31]. Thanks to the SEA Games, we were able to earn 3 million dong.
“I’ve really felt the impact of this event. We’re earning more. Usually, on weekends, we earn about 1 million Vietnamese dong [US$43.31]. Thanks to the SEA Games, we were able to earn 3 million dong,” said Hung.
One million Vietnamese dong is equivalent to Rp 634,000. A person would typically spend an average of 30,000 dong for a meal in Vietnam. So, with a profit of 3 million dong per day, Hung can provide for himself for more than a month.
It is then no wonder why Hung and his wife can always be found smiling when serving customers. The turnover of his business increased by three times. That being on weekdays too, let alone the weekends.
“Perhaps after the SEA Games, we will close shop for a week. Aside from the possibility that stock might run out, we also want to go on vacation,” said Hung, while his wife laughed.
For micro, small and medium (MSME) enterprises in Vietnam, it isn’t just about the circulation of money. Le Van Nguyen, the owner of a business and workshop for making traditional Vietnamese silk fabrics, has turned the SEA Games into a promotional tool to seek business partners from neighboring countries.
“We do not just want to sell [our goods]. We also want to introduce our traditional fabrics and explore cooperation with the guests present,” she said.
AFP/NHAC NGUYEN
A worker carries a banner for the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Hanoi on May 4, 2022, before the start of the multi-sport event on May 12. (Photo by Nhac NGUYEN / AFP)
When met, she asked what traditional fabrics Indonesia has. After being told about batik, ulos and songket (traditional handwoven textile), she said she was interested in finding business partners from Indonesia.
At her stall, Nguyen sells a variety of silk fabrics, ranging from cloth and scarves to the traditional Vietnamese women’s attire, ao dai. She also demonstrates how the fabrics are made by hand.
Overflowing excitement
In addition to trade, excitement was also felt at the 2021 SEA Games opening ceremony on Thursday (12/5/2022) night. Hundreds of residents who were unable to enter the stadium sat in their respective vehicles parked in front of the venue.
Residents took advantage of this opportunity to sell SEA Games knick-knacks, such as the Vietnamese flag, Vietnamese-flagged face stickers and trumpets.
“I wanted to see the excitement of the fireworks show. The excitement can’t really be felt [if watching] from home,” said Le Tien Manh, a Vietnamese resident who traveled 3 kilometers from his home to the stadium on a motorbike.
For Manh, the SEA Games is not only a sporting event but also an event for the people.
“I am happy to experience all this excitement. Many are thrilled with all the festivities,” he said.
KOMPAS
Ahead of the 2021 Vietnam SEA Games, Hanoi Residents Are Not Enthusiastic to Welcome the SEA Games.
Although Vietnam may appear reluctant to spend money on banners to convey the festivities, they prefer to facilitate the actual festivities that guests and citizens can enjoy.
