The Journey Beyond Borders: The Story of Vietnamese Football Development

When the final whistle blew at the national My Dinh stadium, I saw images of fans crying tears of joy. That was the moment Vietnamese football was no longer just a game, but became a symbol of national pride. But behind the victories, there is a deeper story about sustainable development that few people see. From the early days of forming the professional league system until now, Vietnamese football has gone through a long journey full of challenges. With teams like Hanoi FC and Thép Xanh Nam Định investing heavily in youth academies, we are witnessing a shift from a luck-based approach to a truly sustainable football ecosystem. However, when I analyze deeply the financial foundations of the clubs, I see many big problems to be solved. Many teams rely on the budgets of their wealthy patrons, leading to a lack of long-term stability. We need a healthier financial model with sustainable revenue sources from broadcasting rights, commercial sponsorship, and community engagement. In fact, we need to recognize that strategic financial decisions will determine the future of clubs for years to come. Today, the structure of Vietnamese football is changing rapidly as the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) along with V.League implement new reforms. The emergence of foreign experts in training and tactical development has created a minor revolution in thinking. However, if we mechanically copy foreign models, we may lose the unique identity of Vietnamese football – a fast, technical, and highly emotional style of play. Looking at recent data, I notice the increasing number of young Vietnamese players going abroad to play. This is a positive signal, but we need a clear strategy to ensure these young players develop comprehensively. Going to the international market is not simply about giving players like Nguyễn Quang Hải the opportunity to play, but also for them to learn and bring back valuable experience for Vietnamese football. If we do this right, they will become true ambassadors, connecting Vietnamese football to the world. In fact, the most important thing in football development is nothing greater than building a youth training system. In my previous articles analyzing international tournaments, I have repeatedly emphasized that the most successful teams always focus on youth development. This does not only happen in major football nations like Brazil or Germany, but also in smaller teams across Asia. Vietnamese football needs to learn and build a systematic and synchronized youth training system from U15 to U23 levels. V.League is developing, but there is a warning gap between the top teams and the rest, which can create a less competitive league and ultimately affect the overall quality of the tournament. With teams recruiting better quality foreign players, this can improve match quality but may also reduce the development opportunities for local young talents. What needs to be done is a smart management system to balance the squad between foreign and domestic players. The story of Vietnamese football is not just about moments of victory but also a long journey of building and development. From what I have observed over many decades, the lack of transparent governance is the root cause of the decline of traditionally rich clubs because they rely too heavily on individual decisions rather than institutional ones. This both risks affecting the coach's freedom and can hinder the overall development process. Conversely, some clubs operate more effectively by developing internal resources and strengthening close ties with local communities, showing that the ambition of developing professional football goes hand in hand with transparent governance. But alarmingly, some big teams have not realized this, instead continuing to use short-term investments for immediate success. In the long-term development strategy, women's football also plays an important role. The Vietnamese women's team may not get the same attention as their male counterparts, but their success is the foundation for the development of national sports. The national women's football league system needs more resources to be able to compete with regional countries. The development of football must not leave female players behind – that is the commitment to fairness and comprehensive development. Modern technology also opens new opportunities for the development of Vietnamese football. From using big data to track player health metrics to applying VAR technology in matches, there is still much untapped potential. However, the application of technology must come with suitable infrastructure; otherwise, it would be a wasteful investment. Furthermore, the role of fans is increasingly recognized as clubs understand the importance of building a sustainable fan community. The bond between club and fans is the foundation for forming each team's unique identity – one of the most important intangible assets of modern football. As I look back at the long journey of Vietnamese football, from the difficult early days to the national team conquering regional tournaments, and potentially reaching continental levels, I think about the saying 'football is not a matter of life and death; it is much more important than that.' For Vietnamese people, football is truly an indispensable part, bringing happiness and pride throughout the country's history. If Vietnamese football truly wants to reach a new height, it is not just about improving technical aspects on the pitch, but also addressing the root issues of governance and finance. The dream of the fans to participate in a World Cup is not a fantasy, but it is not something that can be achieved overnight. It is a long journey requiring persistence, patience, and a well-run system. Do we have enough patience to build a sustainable future for Vietnamese football, or will we continue to chase fleeting successes while neglecting the most important foundations of development?