Games-Vietnam backs out as hosts of 2019 Asian Games

HANOI, April 17 (Reuters) - Vietnam quit as hosts of the 2019 Asian Games on Thursday, citing a lack of preparedness and concerns that holding the multi-sport event would not prove financially viable. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said Vietnam was suffering the effects of global recession and the state was unable to foot the bill for facilities and venues that would not be profitable in the years after the Games. (Reporting by Nguyen Phuong Linh; Writing by Martin Petty; Editing by Pritha Sarkar)