Letter from Germany: Fears of violence at Euro 2024

The usual tranquility was replaced by a bustle as the number of tourists flocked to Germany in large numbers. In the squares and train stations, the atmosphere was as bustling as a festival. Crowded, bustling and quite noisy.

My acquaintances who work in the Airbnb and homestay business said that they have made a lot of money as the number of bookings has increased many times. It makes up for the whole year. Those who specialize in domestic tour guiding, many of whom are Vietnamese who married local men and started their work as tour guides for Vietnamese people who have just arrived in Germany, are also much busier.

A corner of the audience at the Serbia - England match

These are hosts who pick up guests from the airport, plan trips to tourist attractions, help book train tickets and some dinners for new arrivals. Selena Nguyen, an Airbnb host in the Hohen Neuendorf area, said: "Usually our house is not considered "hot" because it is about a 45-minute drive from the center of Berlin, but right now, we are fully booked."

Germany is also expecting a surge in retail sales during the Euros. This is entirely reasonable as millions of people from all over the world are flocking to Germany. Food and drinks (especially alcoholic drinks) are selling like hotcakes. Hundreds of food stalls are set up in fan zones to watch the matches.

But Germany also faces an unexpected situation: the fear of violence. Riot police in Germany intervened promptly to prevent clashes between fans before the Serbia-England match (taking place on the evening of June 16, Vietnam time) at Euro 2024. Before the match took place, a group of people "fought" each other with chairs outside a restaurant with a Serbian flag in the city of Gelsenkirchen (Germany).

Source: https://nld.com.vn/thu-tu-duc-noi-lo-bao-luc-o-euro-2024-196240617213021301.htm