Brian Jeffrey
A mother from Nam Dinh, aged 56, has won the affection of online viewers through her spirited celebrations during Vietnam’s games in the 2024 ASEAN Cup. Her joy, however, turned to sorrow when striker Xuan Son got injured.
Tran Van Toan, 32, originally from Nam Dinh but currently residing in Hanoi, shared clips of his mother, Nguyen Thi Ngot, joyfully celebrating Vietnam’s football victories. Her genuine exuberance quickly made her a beloved figure on social media.
On January 2, Toan posted his first TikTok video, showing his mother leaping with glee when Vietnam scored during the ASEAN Cup final’s first leg against Thailand. The 30-second video quickly went viral, amassing over 1 million views and even appearing on VTV1’s national broadcast.
Toan recounted, “My younger sister recorded the moment using our home security camera and sent it to me. I found it hilarious, so I shared it on TikTok, never expecting it to become so popular.”
The clip showcased Ngot’s joyful dancing and cheering, endearing her to viewers. When the video gained immense popularity, she humorously scolded her children for making her an internet sensation.
Toan later released a second video, featuring a family video call that received over 2 million views. Viewers praised Ngot’s humor and charm, dubbing her “Vietnam’s happiest fan.”
On January 5, during the ASEAN Cup final’s second leg, Ngot enjoyed the match on her own at home. Her eldest son went out with friends, while her daughter-in-law was busy in another room with the children.
Even alone, Ngot’s excitement was palpable. Toan recorded her celebratory dance following Vietnam’s win, captioning it: “Finals dance – Vietnam is the champion.”
The video struck a chord with viewers, prompting many to share their own family experiences. One commenter humorously noted, “My mom cheered so hard with two pot lids that now they don’t fit the pots anymore.”
Others praised Ngot’s enthusiasm:
“This made me laugh so much! You’re incredible!”
“This is the happiest fan in Vietnam!”
“Her passion for football reflects our strong patriotism.”
While some expressed sympathy, calling her the “loneliest fan” for watching by herself, Toan clarified, “Mom lives with my eldest brother, but he went out with friends, and my sister-in-law was occupied. She was alone in the living room but loves following Vietnam’s games more than us!”
Football is a profound passion for Ngot. She revealed that she experiences every thrill and disappointment during the matches.
In the match’s tense final moments, Ngot knelt and prayed for another goal. When Hai Long secured the victory at 3-2, her overwhelming happiness nearly caused her to faint.
Her family values the joy football brings to her life. Toan shared, “Our dad passed away in 2008. Mom raised us four kids alone, and we love her dearly. It brings us joy to see her so happy with football.”
