Vietnamese football enters a new cycle: squad, style and the ambition to go further

Vietnam football is entering a new cycle filled with expectation but also with significant challenges. After a series of international tournaments, supporters are not only waiting for short-term victories but also want to see a more professional football system, from the national team to the V-League and the youth development network. The central story now is generational transition, the building of a playing identity and the creation of sustainable resources so that Vietnamese football can compete in Asia. Names such as Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Hoang Duc, Do Hung Dung, Nguyen Tien Linh and Bui Hoang Viet Anh remain important pillars, but younger players need more opportunities. This is not a problem for one coach or one club alone; it is a system-wide issue. The national team is at a stage where experience and youth must overlap. Players who were part of SEA Games, AFF Cup and World Cup qualifying campaigns have reached maturity, but the team cannot rely on them forever. The coaching staff must identify the core group for the next two to three years and create conditions for new faces to adapt to international pace. This requires close coordination between the national team and the clubs, because if young players only sit on the bench in the V-League, they will struggle to meet higher demands. The transition should not be rushed, but it cannot be delayed either. A sensible roadmap will help the team maintain short-term results while building a long-term foundation. Midfield is the area that most clearly shows dependence on experience. Nguyen Hoang Duc remains the type of midfielder who can control tempo, escape pressure and deliver incisive passes. Do Hung Dung brings balance, defensive cover and leadership. However, modern football requires the midfield to operate more flexibly, with multiple rotation options and immediate pressing after losing the ball. Young players such as Nguyen Van Toan, Vu Van Thanh and new faces in the V-League need to be tested in matches with moderate pressure to gain experience. Without succession in the middle of the pitch, the national team will struggle against opponents with better physicality and speed. The attack is where supporters place the most hope. Nguyen Tien Linh remains a striker with good positioning and finishing inside the box, while Pham Tuan Hai offers mobility, pressing and explosive dribbling. Nguyen Quang Hai, even if no longer at his peak, is still a player capable of producing a decisive moment. The issue is that the team needs more scoring options rather than relying on a few individuals. Clubs should encourage young players to dribble, shoot and accept risk in dangerous areas. If the attack does not become more diverse, the national team will be easier to read against well-organised defences. The defence and goalkeeper position also raise questions. Bui Hoang Viet Anh has shown maturity, but the team needs more centre-backs who can play out from the back and read situations well. Nguyen Dinh Trieu is one of the goalkeepers attracting attention, yet stability in this position remains crucial. Modern football does not only require goalkeepers to have good reflexes; they must also take part in build-up play, especially when opponents press high. Rotation and experimentation must be planned carefully to avoid excessive disruption in important matches. A stable defence will give the team confidence to express an attacking style. The V-League reflects the quality of Vietnamese football most clearly, but it is also where many problems remain. A crowded schedule, uneven pitch quality and result pressure push clubs toward experienced players rather than giving chances to younger ones. This creates a paradox: the national team needs young players to play regularly, but the domestic league does not provide enough space for them. To improve, there should be reasonable rules on minutes for young players, along with better coaching and medical standards at clubs. The V-League can only truly develop when clubs build an identity and a sustainable operating model. The foreign player issue also needs balanced consideration. Quality foreign players increase competition, raise the league standard and create learning opportunities for domestic players. However, if clubs overuse foreign players in key positions, young Vietnamese players will have fewer chances to develop. Policies should encourage high-quality foreign signings while ensuring important positions still leave room for local talent. An attractive league is not built only on expensive contracts; it is also built on local stories and players who grow from domestic academies. This is how the V-League can remain competitive while contributing to the national team. Youth development is the foundation of sustainable success. Academies such as PVF, HAGL, Viettel and the centres of major clubs have produced several generations of technically gifted players. However, the gap between training and actual use remains a bottleneck. Many young players only play in youth tournaments or sit on the bench for the first team, while result pressure makes coaches reluctant to give them chances. There must be closer links between academies, youth teams and first teams, with clear criteria for fitness, tactics and mentality. Education and life skills for young players also deserve attention, because a football career can be short and unpredictable. The U23 team and youth levels are always a source of hope for supporters. Tournaments such as the SEA Games, the AFC U23 Championship and youth qualifiers are opportunities for players to gain international experience. However, youth results should not be the only measure. What matters is whether players find a stable playing environment after returning to their clubs. If a player shines at U23 level but does not start in the V-League, their development will stall. Youth coaches need to work closely with clubs to build individual development plans instead of focusing only on a few short tournaments. This is how youth success can translate into real professional ability. Women's football and futsal are important parts of Vietnamese sport. The women's national team has achieved notable results, with players such as Huynh Nhu having left a mark in international environments. However, investment in women's football remains modest compared with its potential. More tournaments, better remuneration and improved training conditions are needed so that female players can commit with confidence. In futsal, developing youth pathways and organising regular competitions will raise standards and create more options for the national team. Vietnamese sport cannot develop only one flagship; it needs a broad foundation across many sports to create a healthy ecosystem. Infrastructure, spectators and media are factors that can create a turning point for Vietnamese football. Renovated stadiums, high-quality broadcasting and supporter interest have helped matches reach a wider audience. However, pitch quality, security and fan experience still need improvement in many localities. The media also has a role in setting direction and avoiding unverified information that affects players and coaches. A professional football environment cannot lack the companionship of journalism, businesses and the community. When all parties look toward long-term goals, Vietnamese football will have more resources to grow. Overall, Vietnamese football has the foundation to go further, but it needs a consistent and scientific approach. The national team must manage generational change carefully, the V-League must raise quality and create opportunities for young players, and the development system must connect closely with competitive reality. Names such as Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Hoang Duc, Nguyen Tien Linh and Huynh Nhu still have important roles, but the future depends on giving more generations of successors trust and playing time. Supporters have the right to expect success, but expectation must come with patience and the right investment. If that can be achieved, Vietnamese football will not only earn short-term results but also build a sustainable position in Asia.