The FIFA World Cup trophy arrived in Hanoi on December 31, beginning a Vietnam visit that will last until January 2, 2014.

Vietnamese football fans will have a rare chance for a close-up view at Hanoi’s Quan Ngua Sport Palace on January 1.

Apart having their photo taken with the trophy, visitors will be engulfed in a football festival featuring dancing and ball games, and enjoy a special hologram animation showcasing memorable World Cup moments.

Politicians and partners of Coca-Cola Vietnam will see the trophy on January 2 before it continues its journey to Malaysia.

The visit is part of the official 2014 FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour, conducted every four years.

This year’s tour began in Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer statue on September 12. It will travel 150,000km in 267 days, passing through 88 countries and territories before returning to the 2014 World Cup host nation Brazil.-VNA