Hanoi refuses to host 2019 Asian Games

The authorities of Vietnamese capital Hanoi have refused to host the 2019 Asian Games due to lack of financing, the government said in an official statement.
It says that hosting the games has been recognized “unjustifiably expensive”. “Hosting this could help us promote the country’s image and position. However, if the hosting is not properly and successfully prepared, it will have the opposite effect,” the statement said. “State budget is limited and must be prioritized for other immediate tasks.”
According to the Vietnamese Sports Ministry, the Games’ hosting would cost the country’s treasury $150 million, but economists estimated that the expenditures could be much higher.
Indonesian city of Surabaya was also bidding for the games’ hosting, along with Hanoi. Dubai (UAE) also showed interest, but did not take part in the bidding among cities.
This year’s Asian Games will be held in Incheon, South Korea.