The Vietnamese team and coach Calisto set off for Kuala Lumpur today where they will have four days getting used to the hot weather before their first-leg semifinal clash with hosts Malaysia at the Suzuki Cup.
Photo: Tuoi Tre
The players need time to get used to hot and muggy weather there, explained the Portuguese coach.
As there is no direct flight between Hanoi and Kuala Lumpur, the team have to transit via Ho Chi Minh City, costing them seven hours in total.
The Vietnamese players will stay in five-star hotel Palace of the Golden Horse, ten-minute drive from the stadium.
Vietnam and Malaysia are scheduled to stage the second-leg fight on December 18 in Hanoi. Two other semifinalists are Indonesia and the Philippines.
Meanwhile, Vietnamese travel firms Viettravel and Saigontourist have announced they will add more tours to Malaysia to meet surging demands from local fans. Each packaged trip costs from VND9 – 12 million (US$450 - $600).
Viettravel will charter two flights, departing in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, to carry 360 fans to accompany the national football team.
Over a thousand fans are estimated to fly to Kuala Lumpur this occasion to support their homeland.