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| Hockey players at the ice-skate rink in HCMC’s District 1 - Photos: Tuong Van |
The ice-skate rink that covers about 425 square meters is on the third floor of the HCMC Youth Culture House at 4 Pham Ngoc Thach Street in District 1. It’s had a good reception from the young people who are keen to try a new and interesting recreation.
Hoang Van Anh, owner of the ice-skating club, said that he used to live in the U.S for dozens of years and played many games with ice and snow, so he made the rink for Saigonese to have fun on the ice indoors away from the heat.
The playground is kept at 16 to 18 degrees Celsius. Everything is imported from the U.S. according to international standards, said Anh. He added that the surface has some synthetic materials but has the feel of real ice.
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| Two skaters balance and glide on the ice in tandem |
The rink supplies the iceskates and some instructing. After two or three times newcomers can begin to walk and skate, and move on to the next level.
Ice hockey players also have a club there. “They need to be good skaters and know the hockey rules as teams need spirited players with discipline,” said Anh.
The hockey club is open for anybody from 8 to 55 years old. The center offers free training for new players in December.
With about VND50,000 for 85 minutes, including equipment, all the Saigonese can try iceskating for fun and health.
The rink has only been open for two months but is already popular with children from international schools, youth and women who want to keep fit, and dancers and singers. It will have special programs for Christmas and New Year.
