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O
ne of the most popular paint
ball clubs in Ho Chi Minh City
is Thanh Da. Come along on
a on a Saturday morning, and
you’ll find yourself among in the midst
of a 100-person strong paintball battle.
“Since we started operating in
April 21 we have attracted a huge
number of players every Saturday and
Sunday,” says Nguyen Hoang Thai
Trung, the club’s manager. ”They in-
clude groups of friends, families, tour-
ists and foreigners.”
Located next to the Binh Quoi Tour-
ist Village, 5km from the city centre,
the club has pulled in tourists who, on
visiting Binh Quoi, have their curiosity
piqued by the sound of gunfire.
Safety is of paramount importance
at the club, and players are provided
with protective clothing and an all im-
portant mask. They are also given thor-
ough instructions on gun use and a
safety regulation talk before going into
‘battle.’ The masks and guns have been
inspected by the Ministry of National
Defense, ensuring their safety.
The paintball bullets are made from
colourings and flour, but since the bul-
lets are shot at high velocity under high
pressure, players must only fire the gun
when targets are at least five meters
away from them.
Ben Orbit, from Australia, says he
has played paintball several times, both
in Vietnam and in his hometown: “It’s
hot and tiring, but it makes me re-
ally happy.” Ben has lived in Vietnam
for more than six years and has met
friends through a meet up site (www.
meetup.com/under-39s-saigon), used
by expats, as well as Vietnamese .
Paintball attracts both women and
men. Ly Ngoc Nga, an officer in Ho Chi
Minh City goes to the club with her
friends, all five of whom are female. She
says paintball is exciting and she and
her friends plan to return to try it again.
A pro sport
In some countries, paintball has de-
veloped into a professional sport and
now amateur players can experience
professional standard equipment and
arenas at Tri Long Paintball in Hiep
Thanh Ward, District 12.
Tri Long Club has a grand ambition
42
timeout
and
oad
ock
Paintball onlyarrived inVietnam
five years ago, but it’s quickly
gained a big following among
the country’s youth, writes
Xuan Hoa
LIFESTYLE
Hobby
n
art scene