Vietnam national under-23 football team

History

Early years and downfall

Main article: 2005 Vietnamese football match-fixing scandal

The team is considered to be the feeder team for the Vietnam national football team. During the 2005 Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines, a betting and match-fixing scandal involving the team captain Lê Quốc Vượng shocked the team reputation. The scandal destroyed the careers of several players on the squad, including striker Phạm Văn Quyến and shattered Vietnamese public image towards the youth team, making many of their football fans stay away from the sport along with the a dramatic decrease in attendance for matches.

Youth redevelopment and revival

In 2007, the Hoàng Anh Gia Lai – Arsenal JMG Academy was established through a partnership with Arsenal F.C., JMG Academy and the Vietnamese privately owned Hoàng Anh Gia Lai Corporation to revive the Vietnamese youth football. Through training of the Vietnamese youth players in the academy, this subsequently produced many new talented players which became part of the new generation of under-23s.

AFC U-23 Championship

2016 AFC U-23 Championship

Main article: 2016 AFC U-23 Championship qualification, 2016 AFC U-23 Championship

Under Japanese coach Toshiya Miura, Vietnam made their debut in the tournament having qualified from the AFC U-23 qualification in 2016. Positioned in Group I in the qualifiers, Vietnam claimed their first victory over Malaysia by beating them 2–1, though they would lose 0–2 to Japan afterwards but managed to bounce back with a 7–0 win over Macau in their last group match, and became the group runners-up. The team was then placed in Group D, where they lost 1–3 to Jordan, 0–2 to Australia, and 2–3 to United Arab Emirates.

2018 AFC U-23 Championship and the beginning of the Golden Generation

Main article: 2018 AFC U-23 Championship qualification, 2018 AFC U-23 Championship

Duy Mạnh](do-duy-manh) Đình Trọng](tran-dinh-trong) Tiến Dũng I](bui-tien-dung-footballer-born-1995) Văn Thanh](vu-van-thanh) Xuân Trường](luong-xuan-truong) Đức Huy](pham-duc-huy) Xuân Mạnh](pham-xuan-manh) Văn Đức](phan-van-duc) Quang Hải](nguyen-quang-hai-footballer-born-1997) Công Phượng](nguyen-cong-phuong)

The team made their second entry in this tournament under South Korean coach Park Hang-seo having qualified from the AFC U-23 qualification in 2018. Drawn again in Group I in the qualifiers, the team started their first match with a 4–0 victory over Timor-Leste before accomplishing a great win of 8–1 over Macau. Although they lost to South Korea by 1–2 in the third group match, Vietnam qualified to the AFC U-23 Championship as the Group I runners-up. The team then placed again in Group D. Although they lost again to South Korea by 1–2, the team bounced back and defeated Australia by 1–0 before drawing 0–0 with Syria. The team became the group runners-up and subsequently became the first Southeast Asian team, alongside Malaysia, who were able to qualify into the quarter finals for the first time in the tournament as well in both teams' history. At the quarter finals, Vietnam managed to lead the match into additional time with a draw score of 3–3 against former champion Iraq, before winning the penalty shoot-out by 5–3, sending the team to semi-finals. The team then met Qatar with the match ending in another draw of 2–2 where they won the match with their second penalty shoot-out of the tournament by 4–3, resulting in the team being the first Southeast Asian football team in history to go to the finals in the competition's history and for the first time ever Vietnam had participated in the final of an AFC competition. At the finals, Vietnam lost to Uzbekistan by 1–2, claiming second place. Despite Vietnam's failure to win the tournament, this was hailed as a historic achievement for Vietnam and the team received national wide welcome after returning from China and subsequently honored by the state for its historic performance.

2020 AFC U-23 Championship

Main article: 2020 AFC U-23 Championship qualification, 2020 AFC U-23 Championship

Vietnam tried to run for the race to host the competition, but was eventually beaten by Thailand over the hosting rights. Thus, Vietnam had to take part on the 2020 AFC U-23 Championship qualification where Vietnam was seeded together with Thailand, Indonesia and Brunei, Thailand officially qualified regardless of results. Even though being seeded in a tough group, Vietnam went on to overcome both opponents with over 11 goals scored and conceded none, topping the group with a perfect fashion including the famed 4–0 win over Thailand. In the main stage which served as the qualification for the 2020 Summer Olympics, Vietnam was again seeded into group D where they would once again reunite with Jordan and the United Arab Emirates, alongside North Korea. They had two 0-0 draws over United Arab Emirates and Jordan, before lose to North Korea by 1-2 and being eliminated by finished last place in the group.

2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup

Main article: 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification, 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup

2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup

Main article: 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification, 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup

2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup

Main article: 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification, 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup

Asian Games

2018 Asian Games

Main article: Football at the 2018 Asian Games – Men's tournament

Duy Mạnh](do-duy-manh) Tiến Dũng](bui-tien-dung-footballer-born-1995) Văn Hậu](doan-van-hau) Xuân Mạnh](pham-xuan-manh) Quang Hải](nguyen-quang-hai-footballer-born-1997) Đức Huy](pham-duc-huy) Văn Thanh](vu-van-thanh) Văn Quyết](nguyen-van-quyet) Văn Toàn](nguyen-van-toan-footballer-born-1996) Anh Đức](nguyen-anh-duc)

In the 2018 Asian Games, Vietnam made another remarkable achievement under the guidance of coach Park as they qualified to the semi-finals for the first time in their history with a clean sheet. Drawn in Group D, the team beat Pakistan by 3–0, Nepal by 2–0, and former champion Japan by 1–0 to lead the group. In the second round, Vietnam then met Bahrain and defeated them by 1–0 before defeating Syria 1–0 in the quarter-finals in a match that went to overtime. At the semi-finals, Vietnam met the defending champion South Korea, led by their 2018 FIFA World Cup players such as pair strikers Son Heung-min, Hwang Hee-chan and their goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, where they failed to continue their path to the finals after losing by 1–3. The team then met United Arab Emirates for the bronze medal match. The score remained 1–1 after extra time, and they ended up losing the penalty shoot-out 3–4.

Southeast Asian Games

2019 Southeast Asian Games

Main article: Football at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games – Men's tournament

Tấn Sinh](huynh-tan-sinh) Thành Chung](nguyen-thanh-chung) Văn Hậu](doan-van-hau) Tấn Tài](ho-tan-tai) Hoàng Đức](nguyen-hoang-duc) Đức Chiến](nguyen-duc-chien) Hùng Dũng](do-hung-dung) Trọng Hoàng](nguyen-trong-hoang) Đức Chinh](ha-duc-chinh) Tiến Linh](nguyen-tien-linh) The victory in the 2019 football edition of the Southeast Asian Games is considered as the country first ever SEA Games men's football title since the Vietnamese reunification, having won the first edition of the 1959 Southeast Asian Peninsular Games through South Vietnam. In the 2019 edition, Vietnam opened their campaign in Group B with a large victory over Brunei by 6–0 as well as Laos by 6–1 before defeating Indonesia and Singapore through a slim win by 2–1 and 1–0 respectively. In their last match in the group, Vietnam able to drawn itself by 2–2 against long-time SEA Games men's dominating champion Thailand after being left by two goals in the earlier minutes. After successfully securing themselves in the top group standings, they then meet the rising team of Cambodia in the semi-finals and defeat them with a large win of 4–0 before meeting Indonesia again in the final and defeat them by 3–0 to secure the title after 60 years long-waited.

2021 Southeast Asian Games

Main article: Football at the 2021 Southeast Asian Games – Men's tournament

Việt Anh](bui-hoang-viet-anh) Thanh Bình](nguyen-thanh-binh-footballer-born-2000) Tiến Long](vu-tien-long) Tuấn Tài](phan-tuan-tai) Công Đến](huynh-cong-den) Hoàng Đức](nguyen-hoang-duc) Hùng Dũng](do-hung-dung) Văn Đô](le-van-do) Tiến Linh](nguyen-tien-linh) Văn Tùng](nguyen-van-tung) Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Seagames hosted by Vietnam, were postponed to 2022. Playing in front of their home fans, Vietnam would successfully defend their Seagames title, as coach Park Hang-seo in his last tournament for the u23/Olympic team, led the nation to their 2nd straight gold medal. Vietnam began their campaign in the 31st Seagames with a comfortable 3–0 win over Indonesia. However, they failed to breakthrough in the second match, as Vietnam were held to a draw against the Philippines by a score of 0-0. Vietnam was bounce back and win both their last group matches against Myanmar and Timor-Leste to advance to the knockout stage. Vietnam was also narrowly defeat Malaysia in a thrilling semi-final match that went to extra time, to advance to the Final. Facing their biggest rivals Thailand, an 83rd-minute winner by Nhâm Mạnh Dũng erupted the Mỹ Đình National Stadium in cheers as Vietnam won back to back gold medals in the Seagames football tournament. Vietnam ended their final match with 0 goal conceded, a SEA Games record, before coach Park Hang-seo exit the Under 23/Olympic team.

Kits and sponsors

Kit suppliers

Sponsorship

Primary sponsors include: Honda, Yanmar, Grand Sport, Sony, Bia Saigon, Acecook, Coca-Cola, Vinamilk, Kao Vietnam, Herbalife Nutrition and TNI Corporation.

Broadcasting rights

[[SEA Games]]

[[Asian Games]]

[[AFC U-23 Asian Cup]]

[[ASEAN U-23 Championship]]

Results and fixtures

Main article: Vietnam national under-23 football team results (2020–present)

2025

• Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn
• Nguyễn Hoàng Anh
• Đinh Xuân Tiến
• Bùi Văn Hiếu
• Kim Woo-bin
• Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn
• Asqer
• Nguyễn Quốc Việt
• Nguyễn Hai Long
• Châu Ngọc Quang Nguyễn Văn Trường Nguyễn Quốc Việt Lê Văn Thuận Viktor Le Nguyễn Quốc Việt Nguyễn Hiểu Minh
• Phạm Lý Đức
• Nguyễn Đình Bắc
• Mon Rado
• Nguyễn Đình Bắc
• Nguyễn Xuân Bắc
• Mariona
• Nguyễn Công Phương
• Nguyễn Ngọc Mỹ
• Viktor Le
• Lê Văn Thuận
• Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn
• Lê Văn Thuận
• Nguyễn Quốc Việt
• Phạm Minh Phúc
• Khamidov
• Kim Myung-jun
• Khampane
• Nguyễn Đình Bắc
• Phạm Minh Phúc
• Lê Văn Thuận
• Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn
• Yotsakorn
• Seksan
• Nguyễn Đình Bắc
• Waris
• Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn
• Mhanna
• Osman
• Nguyễn Lê Phát

2026

• Nguyễn Đình Bắc
• Nguyễn Hiểu Minh
• Murzakhmatov
• Khuất Văn Khang
• Brauzman
• Nguyễn Đình Bắc
• Nguyễn Lê Phát
• Nguyễn Đình Bắc
• Phạm Minh Phúc
• Ndiaye
• Al-Menhali
• Peng Xiao
• Xiang Yuwang
• Wang Yudong
• Nguyễn Quốc Việt
• Nguyễn Đình Bắc
• Kim Tae-won
• Shin Min-ha
• Khuất Văn Khang
• Phạm Minh Phúc
• Nguyễn Thái Quốc Cường
• Nguyễn Ngọc Mỹ
• Nguyễn Nhật Minh
• Nguyễn Xuân Bắc
• Nguyễn Thanh Nhàn
• Kim Tae-won
• Kang Seong-jin
• Lee Chan-wook
• Kim Yong-hak
• Lee Hyun-yong
• Jang Seok-hwan
• Bae Hyun-seo

Players

Current squad

The following 23 players were named in the final squad for the 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup.

Caps and goals as of 23 January 2026 after the match against South Korea. Names in bold denote players who have been capped for the senior team.

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up for the team within the last 12 months and are still available for selection. INJ INJ PRE PRE PRE PRE PRE PRE INJ INJ PRE PRE

• Players in bold have capped for the senior team.
• PRE Preliminary squad
• INJ Player withdrew from the squad due to an injury.
• SEN Player withdrew from the squad due to a call up to the senior team.
• SUS Serving suspension.
• WD Player withdrew from the squad due to other reasons.

Overage players in Asian Games

Previous squads

; AFF U-23 Championship

• 2019 AFF U-22 Youth Championship
• 2022 AFF U-23 Championship
• 2023 AFF U-23 Championship
• 2025 ASEAN U-23 Championship

;SEA Games

• 2005 SEA Games
• 2007 SEA Games
• 2009 SEA Games
• 2011 SEA Games
• 2013 SEA Games
• 2015 SEA Games
• 2017 SEA Games
• 2019 SEA Games
• 2021 SEA Games
• 2023 SEA Games
• 2025 SEA Games

;Asian Games

• 2006 Asian Games
• 2010 Asian Games
• 2014 Asian Games
• 2018 Asian Games
• 2022 Asian Games

;AFC U-23 Asian Cup

• 2016 AFC U-23 Championship
• 2018 AFC U-23 Championship
• 2020 AFC U-23 Championship
• 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup
• 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup
• 2026 AFC U-23 Asian Cup

SEA Games gold-medalist captains

ASEAN U-23 Championship-winning captains

Coaching staff

Coaching history

Coaches by years since 1999

Honours

Continental

• AFC U-23 Asian Cup: : Runners-up (1): 2018 : Third place (1): 2026
• Asian Games: :Fourth place (1): 2018

Regional

• AFF U-23 Championship :[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Winners (3): 2022, 2023, 2025 : Third place (1): 2019
• SEA Games :[[File:Gold medal icon (G initial).svg]] Gold medal (3): 2019, 2021, 2025 :[[File:Silver medal icon (S initial).svg]] Silver medal (3): 2003, 2005, 2009 :[[File:Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg]] Bronze medal (2): 2015, 2023 Friendly tournaments
• VFF Cup :[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Champions (3): 2005, 2009, 2018
• Merdeka Cup :[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Champions (1): 2008
• Ho Chi Minh City Cup :[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Champions (1): 2005
• Capital SHBank Cup :[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Champions (1): 2005
• Millennial Anniversary of Hanoi Cup :[[File:Simple cup icon.svg]] Champions (1): 2010

Competitive records

Olympic Games

• Since 1992, football at the Summer Olympics changed into an Under-23 tournament.

AFC U-23 Asian Cup

;Notes

• BRU Qualified as best runners-up

Asian Games

• Since 2002, football at the Asian Games changed into an Under-23 tournament.

SEA Games

• Since 2001, the men's football event at the SEA Games changed into an under-23 tournament.

ASEAN U-23 Championship

Head-to-head record

An all-time record table of Vietnam national under-23 football team in major competitions only including; Summer Olympics, AFC U-23 Asian Cup, Asian Games, Southeast Asian Games, ASEAN U-23 Championship and some other official friendly matches.

Notes

References

References

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