David Beckham remains impressive despite brief Ho Chi Minh City visit

The Englishman arrived in the southern megacity from Hanoi on a private jet to attend an hour-long media meeting, where he shared his latest plans and business activities.

The former Manchester United winger then had a dinner with some businessmen, similar to his evening meal in the Vietnamese capital on Monday.

Both of the events in Ho Chi Minh City had a very limited number of guests, and those invited had to comply with strict security policies.

Little information about the 39-year-old footballer’s second trip to Vietnam was disclosed until his arrival.

Beckham first visited Vietnam in 2003 to promote an oil engine brand. He stopped by the Southeast Asian country for only a couple of hours in 2005 during a tour that brought the FIFA World Cup trophy across the globe.

Even though it is not a comfortable experience meeting the iconic midfielder under tight security, the footballer created a relaxing atmosphere at the events with his friendliness, according to the attendees.

“What I must say first is that David Beckham is so handsome,” a young lady said during the meeting with her idol.

“Now being a businessman and a brand ambassador, Beckham is just more gentle and elegant.

“Beckham is the focus of interest wherever he appears.”

The diehard fan was effusive in her praise for the Englishman.

“David Beckham is a perfect product of England’s football, and a smart man with a good reputation.”

At the meeting, Beckham remarked that Vietnam has developed greatly since the last time he visited the country, but the warmth and friendliness of the Vietnamese people remain unrivalled.

Beckham said he wanted to have a chance to walk around the city and learn about local culture, adding he will bring his whole family to travel to Vietnam in the future.

The ex-captain of the English national team also expressed his wish to try Vietnamese street food, saying he believes it is delicious.

Beckham started his two-day Vietnam visit, as part of a Southeast Asian tour to endorse a beverage brand for which he is a representative, in Hanoi on Monday, where he had a dinner with high-profile businessmen and attended a meeting at a bar.

His next stop is Malaysia.

Beckham made his first-team debut with Manchester United, where his professional career began, in 1992 at 17.

With United, Beckham won the Premier League title six times and the UEFA Champions League in 1999.

He then played four seasons with Real Madrid, winning the La Liga championship in his final season with the club.

In July 2007 Beckham, the first British footballer to play 100 Champions League games, signed a five-year contract with Major League Soccer club LA Galaxy, and spent two loan spells as a Galaxy player in Italy with Milan in 2009 and 2010.

He was first called up to the English national team in 1996, at the age of 21. He was England’s captain for six years, during which he played 58 matches.

Beckham made 115 international appearances in total, playing at three FIFA World Cups (1998, 2002, and 2006) and two UEFA European Championship tournaments (2000 and 2004).

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