David Beckham Visit Draws Huge Crowds in Vietnam
As a huge manchester City fan, rivalries run deep with that other team from across the city. Occasionally these rivalries are cast aside as a player somehow manages to bridge the gap and get acclaim from both sets of fans. David Beckham is such a player. A gentlemen, he has done so much good for manchester and for football. I know from personal experience that his charity work is phenomenal, and much of it is away from the glare of the media.
Superstar David Beckham was in Vietnam this week for a flying visit to promote a brand of whiskey. Amid a frenzy of fan excitement and media interest he looked cool and handsome. The former Manchester United and Real Madrid footballer was in Hanoi on Monday to attend a dinner with high-profile Vietnamese businessmen. The venue was a restaurant on Ba Trieu Street. His chauffeur driven limo drove through the streets lined with thousands of fans who had turned out to catch a glimpse of their idol. As one of the world’s most recognised icons, he understandably draws massive crowds wherever he goes.
Beckham is touring Asia to promote the whiskey brand for which he is a representative. He stayed at the luxurious Sofitel Metropole Hotel whilst in Hanoi. He had to negotiate massive crowds wherever he went. After freshening up at the hotel, Beckham attended the dinner. After eating he signed autographs for fans and presented special souvenirs to 24 lucky people. Afterwards the 39-year-old Londoner was taken to a bar on Ly Thuong Kiet Street. Here hundreds of fans were waiting to see him.
After Hanoi he traveled by private jet down to visit Saigon where he was greeted with scenes similar to those in the Vietnamese capital. Beckham did not have a lot of time in Ho Chi Minh where he met with members of the media and fans on Tuesday night. He won the admiration of everybody with his charming demeanour and constant smile. Girls in the crowd seemed particularly impressed. He again enjoyed a dinner with businessmen, similar to his evening in Hanoi on Monday. Both the events he attended in Saigon were limited in the numbers of guests. Those lucky enough to be invited had to comply with strict security policies.
Beckham won the English Premier League title six times with Manchester United, and the UEFA Champions League in 1999. Moving on to Real Madrid, where he enjoyed four seasons, he won La Liga in his final season. He became the first British footballer to play 100 Champions League games. In 2007 Beckham, moved to the U.S. signing a five-year contract with Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy. Whilst a player here he went on two loan spells with Italian giants Milan, in 2009 and 2010.
Hegained his first England cap in 1996, aged 21 and went on to serve as England captain for 6 years. Beckham made a total of 115 international appearances. He appeared in three FIFA World Cups (1998, 2002 and 2006) and two UEFA European Championship tournaments (2000 and 2004).
David Beckham has been the ambassador for a variety of organisations, including Sky Sports, Adidas and UNICEF.
