Bui Vi Hao: Thailand and Indonesia are contenders for the SEA Games 33 championship.
Returning after an 8-month injury layoff, Bui Vi Hao is at 90% fitness; he considers the U22 Thailand and U22 Indonesia teams as major rivals for U22 Vietnam at the SEA Games 33.
Bui Vi Hao returned to the Vietnam U22 team after 8 months of injury treatment and pointed out that Thailand U22 and Indonesia U22 are the two strongest opponents at the SEA Games 33. The Vietnam U22 team began training in Vung Tau on the afternoon of November 24th, aiming for the gold medal.
Return signal and individual target
Speaking before the training session on the afternoon of November 24th, the striker born in 2003 said: “I am very happy and honored to be called back to the Vietnam U22 team to prepare for the SEA Games after an 8-month recovery period from injury. I will try my best in this training camp because this is the last SEA Games that I am still eligible to participate in.”
Regarding his fitness level, Wei Hao said: “At the recent CFA China Team - Panda Cup 2025, I played in two matches and came on in the final minutes. This was valuable time to help me regain my match fitness and feel for the game after a long break... At this point, I have recovered about 90%. I will do my best to secure a spot in the SEA Games 33.”
Identifying the biggest rivals at the SEA Games 33
In the group stage, the Vietnam U22 team will face Laos and Malaysia. However, in Bui Vi Hao's assessment, Thailand and Indonesia are the two most formidable opponents: "These are all familiar opponents in Southeast Asia. I think this year the opponents will also have some changes in their lineups. For me, every team is strong and every team will try their best to win."
These concise yet clear statements reveal the competitive mindset of the Vietnam U22 striker: respecting all opponents, but maintaining high concentration against the two teams considered benchmarks of regional ability.
The playing platform: the pace was "kicked off" with the Panda Cup.
Having played in two matches, mostly late in the game, at the CFA China Team - Panda Cup 2025, Wei Hao emphasized the value of that short period to warm up his game and strengthen his fitness after a long absence. Reaching "approximately 90%" of his fitness level is a significant milestone, opening up opportunities to compete for a spot on the SEA Games 33 roster.
Vietnam U22 team hits its stride in Vung Tau.
The Vietnam U22 team held their first training session in Vung Tau on the afternoon of November 24th. The plan is clear: the team will train there until November 30th, before moving to Thailand on December 1st to officially begin their SEA Games 33 campaign.
Key timeline
- November 24th: The first training session of the Vietnam U22 team in Vung Tau.
- Until November 30th: Continue training in Vung Tau.
- December 1st: Travel to Thailand, beginning the SEA Games 33 campaign.
Competition for position and the aspiration for the gold medal.
With this being his last SEA Games as an eligible player, Bui Vi Hao has clearly defined his motivation and readiness to compete for a starting spot. The message from the U22 Vietnam striker is specific: achieve peak physical condition, adapt quickly to the coaching staff's requirements, and aim for the gold medal.
The remaining training days in Vung Tau will be a time for the coach and his staff to finalize the roster, while players like Vi Hao continue to build up their match fitness, pushing their physical condition above 90% to be ready for the intensity of the SEA Games 33.
