The loud and raucous sound from fans blowing vuvuzela horns at football matches during the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2010 has annoyed many people, but many football fans in HCM City are searching for vuvuzelas.

“I need to buy a vuvuzela which African people use. You many know it when you watch football. Let’s contact me if you have it.”

“I’m looking for a vuvuzela. I hope I can buy one from those who go to South Africa.”

“It is an urgent need for a vuvuzela! Who sell it?”

Such orders are showing up on many online forums in Vietnam.

Huy, a football fan in District 10, HCM City, said he is very curious about this blowing horn and he wishes to see one with his own eyes.

“I’ve looked for it everywhere. I’ve also post advertisements on many websites. I hope I can buy it very quickly,” Huy said.

Trong Hien, from District 3, HCM City, said: “I want to buy a vuvuzela because I like it. After the World Cup, I will take it to any football match at the Thong Nhat Stadium (HCM City)”.

While the demand for the vuvuzela is rising, sports equipment stores in HCM City have not imported this blowing horn yet.

“Many customers want to buy this blowing horn, but this type of blowing horn is only popular during this World Cup in South Africa so we don’t have much information about it. If the need for vuvuzela continues to rise, we will import it,” said Xuan Thuy, the owner of a sport equipment stall in An Dong Market.

After posting advertisements on the web, one football fan who went to South Africa for the World Cup contacted Huy to sell vuvuzelas at the price of $20 per horn.

Trong Hien said that his friend will bring one vuvuzela from South Africa for him in several days.

Hillary, who has come to Vietnam for two months from South Africa, said: “The vuvuzela is a symbol of my country. We are proud of it”.

Hillary’s friend, Joe, said: “Many people say that the sound of vuvuzela is annoying, but it is no problem if you hear its sound in the atmosphere of football in South Africa”.

Frank, a South African who has been living in HCM City for two years, said that the price for a vuvuzela in South Africa was around 200,000 dong ($25) two years ago. At present, it is very cheap in South Africa because it is the symbol of World Cup 2010.

According to Frank, during big football tournaments, football fans are often presented a vuvuzela when they join a football match. This blowing horn is also sold in China and Hong Kong.

At present, if anyone wants to own a vuvuzela, he can only order on the Internet, at the prices of $20-25 per horn.

The vuvuzela, also known as “lepatata” or “stadium horn,” is a typical 65 cm plastic horn that produces a loud, distinctive monotone note.

The vuvuzela is most used at football matches in South Africa. It has become a symbol of South African football as the stadiums are filled with its loud and raucous sound that reflects the exhilaration of supporters. The intensity of the sound caught the attention of the global football community during the 2009 Confederation Cup in anticipation of South Africa hosting the 2010 World Cup, though its frequent usage during sporting events raised health and safety concerns.

The vuvuzela has been the subject of controversy. Its high sound pressure levels at close range can lead to permanent hearing loss for unprotected ears after extensive exposure. A study found the maximum sound output varied between 113 and 131 dB. In response to the controversy, a new model has a modified mouthpiece that reduces the volume by 20 dB. However, international commentators, players and audiences have called to ban vuvuzelas at football matches.

Source: Vietnamnet