Unforgettable experience working at SEA Games 32

SEA Games 32 is truly an opportunity for everyone to light the torch of national spirit in their own way. And during my days working at SEA Games 32, I was fortunate to witness many such moments.

Vietnamese people remember their roots

Unforgettable experience working at SEA Games 32 1

Author and flight attendant Pich Sokheng

“I am of Vietnamese origin, save my number, if you need anything in Cambodia, just call me,” the flight attendant of Cambodia’s national airline suddenly changed her language when she discovered that I was wearing the uniform of the Vietnamese sports delegation participating in the 32nd SEA Games.

The 2023 Southeast Asian Games started with an exciting flight for me. I received a greeting from the airport customs officer: “Win gold, my dear”. I am not an athlete but I am simply wearing a shirt with the national flag on the left chest. Joy and a little emotion flashed, I understand the feelings of the athletes.

On my flight, I struggled with some information before landing. Pich Sokheng - a beautiful and friendly flight attendant approached. Pich answered all my questions in English. But when she knew that the person on the other side was Vietnamese, Pich Sokheng became unusually cheerful. The 23-year-old girl started using her mother's language.

Pich Sokheng has a Cambodian father and a Vietnamese mother. She and her younger brother still regularly use Vietnamese as a dual language. The flight attendant excitedly said: “I am looking for 15 tickets to watch the matches of U22 Vietnam. I want to invite all the flight crew and flight attendants to cheer for Vietnam. I am always very proud of being a part of Vietnamese blood.”

Faced with her sincerity, I did not hesitate to contact some players of U22 Vietnam to ask for her ticket. Surprisingly, many players of U22 Vietnam knew about Pich Sokheng.

A year ago, she was the one who assisted with immigration and logistics for the U23 Vietnam team at the U23 Southeast Asian Championship in Cambodia. That was the tournament where the U23 Vietnam team was devastated by the Covid-19 pandemic. She was also given a jersey by the players as a souvenir.

She considers it a “treasure” and always wears it to all U22 Vietnam matches. Pich Sokheng does not hesitate to take a few days off to cheer for her mother’s hometown team.

Arriving in Phnom Penh, I got to know Mr. Le Minh Hung - a Vietnamese man with a magnificent business in the neighboring country.

Meeting Mr. Hung, I was a bit surprised because he was simple and did not have the flashy appearance of rich and powerful businessmen.

“I bought hundreds of tickets but it was still not enough. Whether it was Thailand or any other team, Vietnamese people here want to gather and cheer for their homeland. Therefore, the matches are always packed with spectators and sold out. Vietnamese people are the same everywhere, far from home but always remember their roots,” Mr. Hung said sadly.

Bringing friendly Vietnam to the world

Unforgettable experience working at SEA Games 32 2

The author took photos with taxi drivers along the way

SEA Games 32 is an opportunity for everyone to light the torch of national spirit in their own way and through simple actions. Let's start with the stories of the athletes, the images that are not on the stage.

There are other ways, for example, doing TikTok dance with all the athletes from other countries. Some Vietnamese athletes join in the TikTok dance which is becoming a “trend” on this social network.

Each country's song was played, athletes from 11 countries and host volunteers joined in the dance, without any distance. A prosperous but friendly Vietnam gradually appeared to international friends.

Nguyen Ngoc Tram - the athlete who won the gold medal in the women's karate team kata event showed her love for her country in the most sacred way.

While taking pictures with teammates and athletes from other countries, when the Vietnamese National Anthem was played, she immediately stood up straight and sang the National Anthem loudly. Whenever the National Anthem is played, put your hand on your left chest and show your pride.

There are many other wonderful images, but the writer wants to talk about his own experience. Along with many colleagues who participated in reporting and working in Cambodia, I have my own ways to express my love for my homeland and country.

With my limited foreign language skills, I always tell every employee, every volunteer, even the taxi driver and hotel receptionist that: Vietnam is a beautiful country, Vietnamese people always welcome all international friends, including Cambodia.

On the evening of May 7, I quickly hailed a taxi from my hotel to the location where the big screen was installed, showing the match between U22 Cambodia and U22 Myanmar. Unfortunately, I can no longer remember the taxi driver’s name for various reasons. But the short 10-minute story was enough to make me proud.

“Oh, you are Vietnamese, coming to the SEA Games, right?”, the driver asked enthusiastically. After knowing that his question was correct, the Cambodian guy talked about his experiences in Vietnam.

“They are lovely friends, Vietnamese people are very friendly and kind. But I was impressed with the way they came to the stadium and watched football. Just a few days ago, I took them to the stadium to cheer for U22 Vietnam. The scene was unbelievable, thousands of people around the stadium,” the driver excitedly said.

Taking advantage of the conversation, I said: “Of course, football is a way for us Vietnamese people to express our patriotism. We don’t love football that much, we love the sacred word “Vietnam”. Therefore, you can see that whenever the Vietnamese football team and sports teams go to any country, there are always fans cheering for them.”

Sarith Chhai - the receptionist where I stayed during the SEA Games probably felt the Vietnamese spirit the most. Because, this hotel is not only chosen by me but also by many Vietnamese colleagues.

After every match between U22 Vietnam and the Vietnamese women's team, our group of reporters returned home in the joy of victory even though the clock was usually at 12 midnight. Sarith was always the one waiting at the door to welcome us.

“Congratulations, I know Vietnam won again,” Sarith said, sharing the joy with the guests. The 23-year-old’s income is not high. His job as a receptionist in Phnom Penh only helps him earn less than 5 million VND/month. That amount is just enough to meet the minimum needs for life in the capital.

I shared my joy with Sarith in the simplest way, I offered the funny receptionist a can of Coca Cola, which he loved but could not always afford. The conversation sometimes lasted until 2am. Sarith asked a lot about Vietnam and why Vietnamese people could get rich right in Cambodia.

Sarith regrets not having been to the S-shaped strip of land even though his hometown is a province very close to the Vietnamese border.

At the end of the match with U22 Malaysia, a member of the U22 Vietnam coaching staff shared an emotional image. Hundreds of Vietnamese fans in Cambodia braved the pouring rain to wave goodbye to the bus carrying the players. I understand that the strength of Vietnamese sports is the embodiment of the aspiration and national spirit.

Source