VNA reported that during the program to attend the BRICS Summit and bilateral activities in Brazil, on the afternoon of July 5, local time, Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife visited Vasco da Gama Football Club in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Prime Minister and his wife visited the traditional room, as well as the Estadio Sao Januario football field, which has a capacity of 25,000 spectators - the main stadium of the Club.
Vasco da Gama Club is one of the most successful clubs in Brazilian and South American football, with 65 titles in its history, including 4 Brazilian championships, 1 Brazilian national cup, and more than 20 titles in the Carioca tournament.
In the international arena, Vasco da Gama won the Libertadores da America, runner-up of the FIFA Club World Championship 2000.
According to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Vasco da Gama is a favorite club of Brazilian President Lula da Silva; at the same time, it has been, is and continues to be an indispensable part of the life of not only the Rio de Janeiro community but also the entire global fan community.
Estadio Sao Januario Stadium is not only a venue for top-level football matches but also a venue for many major political and cultural events of Brazil.
Vasco da Gama is not only famous for football but is also a symbol of anti-racism and multiculture, with the people's football philosophy; football is not only for the rich but football is for everyone, in general, everyone has equal access to all sports.
The Prime Minister said that the football philosophy is also a philosophy, cultural identity of Brazil and very close to Vietnamese culture, which is always attacking, fighting with all one's heart, dedicating with all one's intelligence, sophistication, passion; equal competition, victory is necessary, but not all must show dedication, enjoyment and sharing.
At the soccer field, the Prime Minister and his wife were presented with a jersey by Vasco da Gama by the Club's representative, and also presented the jersey Club of the Hanoi Soccer Club.
The Prime Minister said that many Brazilian players have joined Vietnamese clubs, helping these clubs compete successfully, some of whom have won the championship.
Stating that Vietnamese people are very passionate about football and admire Brazilian football - with the "samba dance on the pitch", the Prime Minister said that the potential for cooperation in culture, sports, especially high-performance sports, including football between Vietnam and Brazil, is unlimited.
The Prime Minister suggested that the Brazilian side and the Vasco da Gama club strengthen cooperation activities, supporting the Vietnamese side in developing the football scene, such as coaching and training players, especially improving players' physical strength and skills, improving governance capacity, developing brands, mobilizing and managing resources, organizing competitions as well as continuing to "export" Brazilian players to Vietnam to compete and Vietnamese players to compete in Brazil.
