Thanh Long Sports and Entertainment Centre is 12km away from the centre of Ho Chi Minh City, but covering the long distance is worthwhile for those people who are seeking a place to get fit and to enjoy themselves.

It is not only a venue for Asian and East-Asian football events, but also an interesting place where people can throw away strain of modern life.

More than VND 200 billion was poured over the 11ha swamp to turn the area full of mangrove and nipa trees into a well-known recreation area.

Anyone who comes to the centre the first time is impressed by five international-standard football grounds covering with a smooth layer of verdant grass. There are professional coaches to train football players. And this may be one of the causes making it attractive to them.

Meanwhile, four nearby tennis courts are always crowded with trainees, about 100 players a day. Even fastidious players should be pleased with their high-end synthetic plastic surfaces. Many companies also hold competitions there for their important events.

After playing football or tennis pleasurably, you can relax well in two swimming pools or enjoy delicious food on wooden chairs around the pools, listening to melodious music.

If you are piscatorial, rent a hut on the bank of a 3ha pond for fishing. The air here is peaceful and quiet. You can get hooked fishes to go home or served into tasty dishes. In addition, cooking staffs have more than 300 courses for your choice.

You can also show your singing talent in modern karaoke rooms, enjoy traditional music at a theatre, or stay overnight in one of the four three-star hotels in the precinct.

There are many means of transportation to come to the centre. Simply, you can take a bus in front of Ben Thanh Market in District 1 to go to the Cho Lon Bus Station in District 5, and then get another one going to Thanh Long Centre.