Over the past decade, Vietnamese football has made remarkable strides, achieving significant success both regionally and continentally. These achievements have become a source of national pride and serve as a testament to strategic planning and long-term investment. However, as noted by Ael1.com, sustaining this momentum will require comprehensive reform and innovation to tackle emerging challenges.
Memorable Milestones: A Leap in Quality and Reputation
Dominating Southeast Asia
After clinching the AFF Cup in 2008, the Vietnamese national team endured years of inconsistent performances. But a turning point came in 2018 when Coach Park Hang-seo took the helm and led the team to reclaim the AFF Cup championship. With a cohesive and tactically disciplined style of play, Vietnam defeated Malaysia in the final, securing its second regional title and reaffirming its dominance in Southeast Asia.
In subsequent editions of the AFF Cup, Vietnam consistently remained among the top contenders, earning praise for their fighting spirit, resilience, and maturity on the field.
Making Waves in Asia: U23’s Silver at the 2018 AFC Championship
Perhaps the most iconic achievement in recent years was the extraordinary journey of the Vietnam U23 team at the 2018 AFC U23 Championship. From underdog status, the young squad stunned the continent by eliminating heavyweights like Iraq and Qatar to reach the final. Though they narrowly lost to Uzbekistan in the snow-covered pitch of Changzhou, the team’s determination in those grueling conditions became a symbol of Vietnamese football’s rise and ambition.
SEA Games Gold and Youth Team Breakthroughs
After several years of near misses, the Vietnam U22 team won gold at the 30th SEA Games in 2019 and successfully defended the title on home turf at the 31st SEA Games. This marked the first time in history that Vietnam’s men’s football team secured back-to-back championships at Southeast Asia’s largest sporting event.
Simultaneously, youth teams such as U19, U20, and U23 regularly qualified for AFC tournaments, showcasing the depth of talent and promising future of Vietnamese football.
Women’s Team: A World Cup Breakthrough
The Vietnamese women’s national team deserves special recognition for their quiet yet powerful contributions. After years of persistence, the team made history by qualifying for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Although they did not advance past the group stage, simply earning a spot on the world stage was a monumental success and a strong affirmation of Vietnam’s growing stature in women’s football.
Strategic Vision: Building for the Long Term
Youth Development and School Football Programs
Youth development has become a cornerstone of Vietnam’s football strategy. Prominent academies such as Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL), PVF, Viettel, and Hanoi FC have proven effective in cultivating high-caliber players.
Moreover, the expansion of school-based football programs is gaining momentum. By identifying young talents through school leagues and nationwide student competitions, Vietnam is establishing a broader foundation for nurturing future stars.
Professionalizing the V-League and Competition System
Beginning with the 2023–2024 season, the V-League adopted a European-style calendar, running from summer to summer. This realignment harmonizes the league with international schedules and provides players with better recovery and development opportunities.
The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) is also working to align clubs with Asian Football Confederation (AFC) standards—covering everything from facilities and financial practices to management operations. The goal is to transform clubs into fully professional, self-sustaining football enterprises.
Targeting the 2030 FIFA World Cup
The women’s team’s qualification for the 2023 World Cup has inspired a bold ambition: qualifying the men’s team for the 2030 FIFA World Cup. With FIFA expanding the tournament to 48 teams, Asian countries like Vietnam now have a more realistic shot at qualification. The VFF is committed to this goal and is laying the groundwork to make it a reality.
Remaining Challenges
Inadequate Infrastructure
Despite improvements, Vietnam still grapples with inconsistent football infrastructure. Aside from a few quality stadiums like My Dinh and Thong Nhat, many others fall short of international standards. Poor pitch conditions, inadequate lighting, and a lack of functional rooms directly impact the quality of matches and fan experience.
Club Management and Financial Constraints
Many clubs still rely heavily on government funding or a single main sponsor. Without a robust business model, sustaining long-term operations is difficult. Several clubs have faced dissolution or struggled to pay player wages due to financial instability.
Transitioning to a fully professional, financially independent model is urgent—but also difficult—given current limitations in legal frameworks and management expertise.
Generational Transition and Coaching Capacity
With Coach Park Hang-seo stepping down, Vietnamese football entered a transitional phase. New head coach Kim Sang-sik is tasked with rejuvenating the national team, introducing younger talent to align with modern football trends. However, generational changes are inherently risky—especially as veteran players like Quang Hai, Cong Phuong, and Duy Manh approach the twilight of their prime.
Additionally, the domestic coaching ecosystem requires significant upgrades, from licensing and certifications to tactical philosophies, to meet the demands of modern football.
Conclusion: Fueling the Drive Forward
According to Ael1.com, Vietnamese football has traveled an inspiring path, creating unforgettable moments and a renewed sense of national pride. Yet the journey toward global relevance remains long and full of hurdles.
To reach greater heights, a united effort is required: strategic vision from leadership, sustainable investments, and shared determination from all stakeholders—government bodies, VFF, clubs, coaches, players, and fans alike.
The dream of reaching the World Cup is no longer an elusive fantasy. With a continued spirit of reform, unity, and relentless ambition, Vietnamese football is poised to transform that dream into a tangible goal.
