The government’s initial decision to host the games had generated little excitement domestically, and there had increasing opposition in the media and on blogs. Many questioned whether the cost in the hundreds of millions of dollars was worth it given the country was still struggling to emerge from the global financial crisis.

In a statement on late Thursday, the government said hosting the event in Hanoi was 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.

“The state budget is limited and must be prioritized for other immediate tasks.”

Randhir Singh, Secretary-General of the Olympic Council of Asia, said the organization was “surprised” and had not officially been informed of the decision. He said the body would now have to decide on who would host the games.

“The matter will have to be discussed at length by the OCA,” he told The Associated Press. “It’s a decision which has to be taken judiciously considering various factors. We have to decide who will be able to deliver, keeping in mind the time factor.”

While the OCA will have to quickly decide on a replacement host, it does have the benefit of an extra year as Hanoi was to have been the first games of a new schedule that would put the event the year ahead of the Summer Olympics.

Surabaya, Indonesia, had been the other serious bidder for 2019, while Dubai, United Arab Emirates, expressed initial interest but withdrew.

Vietnam’s state controlled media praised the decision to withdraw from the games.

• President Biden joins striking autoworkers’ picket line
• Anti Terror Bill must be withdrawn immediately – Dr. Gehan Gunatilleke on NEWSLINE
• Why have India-Canada tensions worsened? Kusum Wijetilleke on Newsline
• Watch a Special episode of The People’s Platform. IMF in Sri Lanka : Beyond Ticking Boxes
• Terrorists found safe haven in Canada – Sabry