Vietnam’s swim star Anh Vien returns home amid congratulations from fans

Vietnamese swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien landed at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City late Friday night amid loud cheers and congratulations from hundreds of fans who had waited for hours before her appearance.

The 19-year old swimmer, who won eight gold medals and broke eight records at the 28th Southeast Asian Games, which will wrap up in Singapore on June 16, appeared at the arrival hall of the airport at 10:00 pm to be greeted by hundreds who had waited for her since 6:00 pm.

They brought banners to congratulate her that read, “We Love Anh Vien,” “Anh Vien No. 1,” and “Congratulations to Little Mermaid Anh Vien.”

Her parents and her younger brother were also brought from their hometown in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho to the airport to congratulate her.

“She is wonderful. We waited for hours here to see her. I am proud of her,” said Tra My, a 20-year-old student in Ho Chi Minh City.

Her father, Nguyen Van Tac, mother, Anh Hong, and brother, Nguyen Quang Thuan, were shy when they became the target of cameramen and the media at the airport.

With fingers knitted together, her father said his family was taken to the airport in a car owned by the Can Tho army sports center.

“It was so urgent that we had no time to prepare a gift for Vien,” he said. “The only gift we have now is our presence here to congratulate her.”

Tac added that the shoes he was wearing were also gifts from the army sports center.

“I am so surprised at seeing so many people waiting for me here,” Vien said to the crowd. “I didn’t think there would be many people like this. I am happy.”

Her mother revealed, “We didn’t call her when she was in Singapore for fear of distracting her.

“Furthermore, Vien has never brought a mobile phone with her when she’s competing.

“I am not sure if she has time to go home to visit family and relatives.

“Vien will have to take part in a school exam. She is now in 11th grade.”

After talking with her parents and brother, Vien left the airport and was taken to the national sports center No. 2 in Thu Duc District to prepare for a training trip to the U.S., which will start soon.

“I wish to go home to visit my parents and relatives but I may not have time,” she said.

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