Thai athletes enjoy double-decker bus tour of Hà Nội

Lương Thu Hương

The Thai men’s and women’s sepak takraw teams toured Hà Nội by double-decker bus on May 18.

Thailand had won gold medals in the men’s and women’s team regu events at the regional sporting event, while the hosts Việt Nam earned a bronze in the men’s team regu and a silver in the women’s category.

The bus took the Thai delegation to famous tourist destinations in Hà Nội such as the Hanoi Opera House, Ba Đình Square, and Thăng Long Imperial Citadel.

During the ‘Hanoi City Tour’, the delegation enjoyed 30-minute sightseeing at the Temple of Literature, a special national relic.

Head coach of the men’s sepak takraw team Veeras Na Nongkhai said this was the first time that he travelled to Hà Nội, hailing the city’s landscapes and people’s cordiality.

The head of the sepak takraw delegation of Thailand Pairoj Archarungroj said this is the first time for him and many Thai athletes to experience a double-decker bus tour, as Bangkok has yet to launch such services.

He also praised Vietnamese and Hà Nội cuisine, adding that he wants to travel to the country with his family in the future.

Competitions of the sepak takraw at SEA Games 31 are being held at Hoàng Mai Gymnasium in Hà Nội from May 11 to 21.

The ongoing ‘Hanoi City Tour’, free of charge for all delegates, including athletes, coaches and foreign reporters of SEA Games 31 throughout May, is among the tourism products of the capital city serving the biennial regional sporting event.

It is arranged by the Hanoi Transport Corporation. The buses, running between 9am and 5pm every day, can be identified with the Games’ logo and the line ‘Official bus tour for SEA Games 31’.