HCM CITY — Vietnamese football fans, for the first time in the country, have a chance to meet German National Cup and football legend Joerg Heinrich during his visit to the country.

The three-day visit, which began Thursday, was jointly organised by Blitz Asia Vietnam, football club Borussia Dortmund, and Bundesliga.

Encouraged by the passion of Vietnamese fans about soccer, Borussia Dortmund chose Việt Nam as a stopover on the club’s journey to bring the German National Cup to the fans, according to the organiser.

The activities of Borussia Dortmund in Việt Nam will act as a showcase and model for their visits to other countries in the region.

The event has stoked the Vietnamese fans’ flames of passion and belief in a bright future in which the country may gain more attention and become a stopover for more international football clubs, giving fans a chance to meet their idols as well as promoting national football development.

During their time in Việt Nam, Heinrich and the Borussia Dortmund delegation have participated in many activities, including training kids and trainees at schools and football clubs.

The foundation for modern soccer developed from grassroots soccer schools, the organiser said, adding that Borussia Dortmund had spread this philosophy in many countries, especially in Asia, including China, Thailand, India, Malaysia, and Japan, among others.

Borussia Dortmund hopes to bring soccer opportunities to Vietnamese youth. During the three days of sharing knowledge and training kids, Borussia Dortmund team members said they were excited to work with Việt Nam and apply the philosophy here.

The delegation has also engaged with fans in the last two days. Today, the Borussia Dortmund delegation and Heinrich will join fans to sign autographs, play a football game with kids, and take part in other activities at The Grand Hồ Tràm Strip.

Borussia Dortmund is one of the top 10 clubs in the world, located in Dortmund City, north of the Rhine River.

It is one of the most famous and successful German football teams. With eight German Championships and four DFB Pokal cups, Dortmund also won the UEFA Cup Winners Cup in 1966 (becoming the first German team to win a continental title) and the UEFA Champions League in 1997.

On May 27, Borussia Dortmund beat Frankfurt 2-1 in the final to win the defending championship of the German National Cup. — VNS