Friendship Badminton Tournament in Hanoi, Vietnam – November 2024
After a long COVID-induced hiatus, our Law Society’s badminton team resumed its tradition of embarking on regional sporting expeditions. This time, the destination was the culturally rich and historic city of Hanoi.
With a traveling contingent of over 40 people including players and families, it was one of the largest groups we have had on recent trips.
Part of the LSS team arriving at Noi Bai international airport in Hanoi
The seeds of this trip were planted as early as 2023, during the Law Society’s Lawyers Go Global Mission trip to Hanoi to meet members of the Vietnam Bar Federation. A badminton friendly match was then proposed to foster closer relations between both organisations – and that kickstarted a year-long planning process to hold the event in Hanoi the following year, on 23 November 2024.
Arriving a day before the match, our team spent Day 1 sampling the local cuisine in Hanoi’s famous Old Quarter. Sitting on wooden stools by the roadside with a bánh mì in one hand and a cup of cà phê trứng (traditional Vietnamese egg coffee) in the other, felt as authentic an experience as it could get.
The quintessential Vietnamese coffeeshop experience in the Old Quarter
No trip to Vietnam is complete without the obligatory bowl of phở
Day 2 – the day of the games – started early. As the badminton hall was situated in the middle of an old Hanoi neighbourhood inaccessible by bus, the team had to trek through a crowded maze of narrow streets and a local streetside wet market, complete with an exotic range of livestock and seafood, to reach the venue; quite the experience.
The trek through bustling streets of an old neighbourhood to reach the badminton hall
Exotic live seafood at a local streetside wet market enroute to the badminton hall
The event, dubbed the “Friendship Badminton Tournament” by the organisers, was graced by VIPs including Bui Ngoc Anh – Managing Partner of VILAF and Mr Donald Tsang T. Lok – Deputy Chief of Mission and Counsellor (Singapore Embassy).
The format of the official games comprised 5 men’s doubles and 2 ladies’ doubles. The final score was 3 wins, 3 losses and 1 draw for Team Singapore – resulting in an overall draw between both teams.
This was followed by our customary mix-nation friendly matches, where one player from each side pairs up in a knock-out style competition to determine the best doubles pair.
The event concluded with warm handshakes all round, phototaking with newfound friends and the exchange of gifts and souvenirs between both teams. Safe to say, the Friendship Badminton Tournament was thoroughly enjoyed by both players and supporters alike.
The LSS and Vietnam teams and supporters at the Friendship Badminton Tournament
LSS President Lisa Sam presenting gifts to the VIPs
LSS badminton captain (Brandon Chung) presenting his Vietnamese counterpart (Le Tuan Anh) with an honorary LSS badminton team jersey
In the evening, a closing dinner was held at the majestic Sen Tay Ho Restaurant, overlooking Hanoi’s picturesque West Lake. This symbolically marked the end of a truly successful event between the Vietnamese and Singapore badminton teams.
Closing Dinner at the Sen Tay Ho Restaurant
Capping off our expedition, on Day 3 and 4, the team explored famous attractions around the beautiful city like the Tran Quoc Pagoda, St Joseph’s Cathedral, Train Street and the Thang Long water puppet show.
Posing on the railway tracks along Train Street
Patiently waiting at a café along Train Street for the train to come
Visiting the Tran Quoc Pagoda
On overseas trips like this, the badminton itself is but an excuse for an amazing get away with family and friends over excellent food and hearty laughs.
Special thanks to the Law Society Secretariat for its support, coordinating firm VILAF, Mr Vaibhav Saxena and the Vietnam team captain, Mr Le Tuan Anh, who were instrumental in the organisation of this memorable expedition. Our team is eagerly looking forward to the next overseas adventure!
