On December 21 at the Vietnam Exhibition Center (VEC), the T1 team - the main characters of the "VPBank Presents T1 Vietnam" event had a performance competition and interaction with Vietnamese fans.
In that memorable moment, superstar T1 Faker once again sent the same message as 6 years ago: "I am definitely back to Vietnam".
The feelings and practical actions of Vietnamese fans
In addition to calling out names and cheering for the T1 idols, Vietnamese fans have shown special affection for Oner, who plays in the team's forest position. December 24 was Oner's birthday, so Vietnamese fans sent the 23-year-old star a part of a surprise at the event.
Holding a birthday cake in his hand, looking down at thousands of fans singing congratulations, Oner could not help but be moved. However, what makes the Korean national team most appreciated by fans in Vietnam is that they have organized a charity program named after him to help homeless people and those in difficult circumstances.
The moment he witnessed fans wearing T1 jerseys with Oner's name printed on them giving gifts to people in difficult circumstances, the 23-year-old star understood and appreciated more what he had at the event.
Faker is one of the representatives of the Vietnam - Korea cultural bridge
In the fan interaction at the "VPBank Presents T1 Vietnam" event, Faker and his teammates at T1 including Oner, Keria, Peyz and Doran had many exchange games combining Vietnamese and Korean.
Here, the world's superstar Lien Minh Huyen Thoai demonstrated the best Vietnamese speaking skills of the 5 members. Not only can he say simple sentences in Vietnamese, Faker also guides his young teammates how to repeat those sentences.
In particular, in the individual Q&A sections, Faker also showed his understanding of certain knowledge related to culture, cuisine, and sports in Vietnam. He shared that one of the things he remember most about sports in Vietnam is that coach Park Hang-seo once led the national teams to succeed here.
In recent years, traditional sports and e-sports have received a lot of attention from young people, targeted by "VPBank Presents T1 Vietnam" in this event. The images of young athletes and national team players that have made great strides have become a bridge for Vietnamese-Korean cultural exchanges. In Korea, young fans also know Quang Hai of football. In Vietnam, Faker's popularity is similar.
The promise of the world's number 1 superstar
If Faker leaves and chooses to retire in the 2018 - 2021 period, he may not be able to fulfill his promise to return to Vietnam as a player as he said at MSI 2019. However, Faker has had resounding success in the period of 2022 - 2025, as he had in his early professional playing period (2013 - 2016).
At MSI 2019, Faker said he would return to Vietnam, he had been away from the world final for 2 years. This time, the Korean superstar as the reigning world champion has promised to return, because he really appreciates the affection of Vietnamese fans.
"VPBank Presents T1 Vietnam" is where Faker said that as a global No. 1 eSports player, it is certainly not a flat statement, it has the weight and commitment of a great star. For those who love T1 in general and Faker in particular, now is the time to wait for their idol to reap more resounding success in the final period of his career, so that the upcoming time appearing in Vietnam, he can still stand at the top and receive such a big chill.
