Thijs van Loon

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Thijs van Loon is a Dutch expatriate who has lived in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, for eight years. His experiences are deeply intertwined with the local football culture, which he finds to be a powerful unifying force among people. Reflecting on a memorable incident, he recalls a time when the city of Vung Tau fell eerily silent as locals tuned in to watch a football match, only to erupt in joyous celebration moments later as Vietnam's victory transformed the streets into a vibrant festival. Thijs appreciates how football acts as a catalyst for openness and connection among Vietnamese people, contrasting it with the more reserved nature of social interactions in his home country.