Vietnamese Football: Between Expectations and Reality - Lessons from Cycles of Rise and Fall

At the stands of My Dinh Stadium, the cheers of thousands of Vietnamese fans once echoed like an unfinished symphony - full of excitement but always stopping at an unresolved note. This is the image that Vietnamese football fans have become familiar with over decades: a football nation that always promises, always gets close to the goal, but never truly reaches it.

The story of Vietnamese football is not lacking in beautiful moments. In 2026, under the leadership of coach Park Hang-seo, the Vietnamese U23 team shocked the world by reaching the AFC Asian Cup U23 final, losing to Uzbekistan in extra time. It was the first time in history that a generation of Vietnamese players stood before an opportunity to claim a continental title. Subsequently, AFF Cup 2026 witnessed the national team claiming the championship, ending a 10-year wait. Those victories were not just pride, but proof that Vietnamese football could compete at a higher level.

However, after the fever of 2026-2026, reality gradually became clear. At the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Vietnamese team could not advance past the second round, despite significant improvements in playing style. At AFF Cup 2026, coach Park Hang-seo's team was eliminated early in the semi-finals by Thailand. This was a signal of decline that cannot be ignored - not for lack of effort, but because Vietnam's football system is still struggling with core issues.

The Squad Depth Problem

One of the biggest challenges for Vietnamese football is the lack of squad depth. When key players like Que Ngoc Hai, Nguyen Xuan Nam, or Phan Van Duc face fitness or injury problems, finding worthy replacements becomes extremely difficult. This reflects a familiar reality: V-League has not been able to create enough competition to develop young players comprehensively. Many young talents are pushed to the first team too early, lacking time to hone their skills in a truly professional environment.

Data from AFC shows that during 2026-2026, the average age of the Vietnamese national team in major tournaments was 25.3 - younger than many regional opponents. But youth does not equate to vigor. The Thai national team, with an average age of 27.8 in the same period, achieved more stability in experience and consistent performance. This is a lesson about balancing youth and maturity - a equation that Vietnamese football is still trying to solve.

League System and Player Development

V-League, Vietnam's top football league, has gone through many ups and downs. From 2026 to 2026, the league witnessed strong investment from large corporations, with significant increases in player salaries. However, that investment did not always come with sustainable development strategies. Many clubs chose to spend money buying high-quality foreign players instead of investing in youth academies. As a result, V-League became a stage for foreign stars, while young Vietnamese players had fewer opportunities for real competitive play.

Statistics from Transfermarkt show that in the 2026-2026 season, the average age of V-League club squads was 27.1, while this figure was 25.8 in Thai League. This difference reflects different philosophies in team building. While Thailand focuses on bringing young players to the first team early and giving them regular playing time, V-League is still finding ways to balance short-term results and long-term development.

The Importance of Domestic Coaches

After coach Park Hang-seo left in 2026, Vietnamese football entered a new challenging phase. French coach Philippe Troussier was appointed with expectations of bringing attacking football. However, results did not meet expectations. The Vietnamese national team performed unsuccessfully at the 2026 Asian Cup and 2026 World Cup qualifiers, leading to Troussier's dismissal in March 2026.

This is when the story of domestic coaches becomes more important than ever. Hoang Anh Tuan, coach of the Vietnamese U20 team, made a strong impression by leading the team to the quarter-finals of the 2026 U20 Asian Cup - the best result in history. But does he have enough experience and authority to lead the national team at the highest level? This is a question that experts are still debating.

Infrastructure and Investment

A factor that cannot be overlooked when analyzing Vietnamese football is infrastructure. Thong Nhat Stadium, a symbol of Ho Chi Minh City football, has seriously deteriorated after years of lack of investment. My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi, though more modern, still faces maintenance and management issues. Training grounds at youth development centers often have uneven quality, directly affecting the skill development of young players.

According to AFC's 2026 report, Vietnam ranks 19th out of 47 Asian nations and territories in football infrastructure quality. Meanwhile, Thailand ranks 12th, Japan ranks 3rd. This gap shows that Vietnamese football needs stronger investment in facilities, not only in major cities but also in provinces with talent development potential.

What Future for Vietnamese Football?

There is a truth that Vietnamese fans need to accept: football is a systemic sport. Success or failure does not come from a good coach or an excellent player, but from an entire system working in sync. From youth development, domestic leagues, to national football strategy - everything needs to be built on scientific foundations and long-term vision.

Optimistic signals are emerging. VFF has implemented a Youth Football Development Plan aiming to build 100 youth training centers across the country by 2030. Many major clubs like Hanoi FC and Viettel FC have invested in their own academies. The generation of players born after 2026 is showing promising signs at Asian youth tournaments.

Vietnamese football does not need grand promises. This football nation needs patience, sustainable investment, and a clear strategy. The Kazan wind of that year taught me that youth never rolls slowly on schedule - but true maturity only comes when the system allows it to happen. And perhaps, that is what Vietnamese fans should truly hope for in the future.