When Vietnamese players go abroad, is it still about gaining experience and learning?

In the past, many top Vietnamese players have had the opportunity to play in various football environments abroad; however, their performances and levels of success have been modest. Let's take a look at some of the most notable names who have played overseas.

Le Huynh Duc

Le Huynh Duc was the first Vietnamese player to play abroad. In 2001, he went to China to play for four months. This was both a professional playing trip and a mission for Huynh Duc. His destination was Chongquin Lifan Club.

Le Huynh Duc is a Vietnamese player who has played abroad. Photo: Fox Sports Asia

To secure his services, the Chinese club had to exchange three players with Dong A Bank and provide 60 specialized vehicles to the Ho Chi Minh City Police. At his new team, the Ho Chi Minh City Police striker only scored four goals.

Luong Trung Tuan

Luong Trung Tuan once went to Thailand to compete because he wanted to maintain his form. Photo: Anninhthudo

Luong Trung Tuan moved to play for Port Thailand in early 2005 with a salary of approximately $400 per month, needing a place to maintain his form after the Vietnamese national team center-back was involved in a match-fixing scandal while playing for HAGL in the Southeast Asian Champions League at the end of 2003. Afterward, he was suspended for three years by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and lost his place at the team from Pleiku, forcing him to join Binh Dinh.

Nguyen Viet Thang

Also involved in match-fixing allegations at HAGL, like Luong Trung Tuan, Nguyen Viet Thang has also sought out a team abroad to train and play to maintain his form.

Viet Thang poses for a photo with Quaresma during their time studying at Porto B Club. Photo: XALUAN

Viet Thang joined the Portuguese club thanks to the favoritism of his coach at his then-club, DTLA, Coach Calisto. Later, upon returning to play for the national team, Viet Thang made a significant contribution to repaying his coach and, together with his mentor, won the Southeast Asian championship for the first time.

Le Cong Vinh

He is one of the rare players to have played abroad twice. From September 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009, Vinh played for Leixoes in Portugal with the help of coach Calisto. At this club, the striker from Nghe An scored two goals against Custoias and Padroense in friendly matches. He also played two official matches for Leixoes in the Portuguese National League and National Cup but did not score any goals.

Cong Vinh in the jersey of Sapporo FC – Japan. Photo: Goal

In July 2013, Cong Vinh moved to Japan to play for Consodale Sapporo on a 5-month loan contract, receiving a salary of 7,000 USD per month. On September 22, 2013, he made his official debut for Sapporo V-Varen Nagasaki and scored the opening goal in the 16th minute. However, in the 36th minute, the striker received a second yellow card and was sent off. In total, Cong Vinh played 9 matches for the Japanese club, scoring 2 goals.

Luong Xuan Truong

Following his success with the Vietnam U19 team, in 2016, Luong Xuan Truong went to South Korea to play for two years with Incheon United and Gangwon. However, his appearances for these new teams were limited, with only 8 official appearances and no goals. At the end of the 2017 season, he returned to play for HAGL in the V.League 2018.

Luong Xuan Truong is playing for foreign clubs for the third time. Photo: Fox Sport

Recently, Luong Xuan Truong has once again moved abroad to play, and his next destination is Buriram FC in Thailand.

Nguyen Cong Phuong

The player from Nghe An province went abroad with his teammate Luong Xuan Truong in 2016. Cong Phuong's destination was Mito Hollyhock in the Japanese second division. However, like other players who have gone abroad, Cong Phuong did not get regular playing time, and his 6 appearances from the bench were not enough for the favorite of Chairman Duc to show much.

Chairman Duc kisses Cong Phuong goodbye as the player heads to Japan to play. Photo: Mito Hollyhock

After much effort upon returning from Japan, Cong Phuong and his teammates made a strong impression at continental tournaments, culminating in winning the Southeast Asian Championship after a 10-year wait. At the U23 Asian Championship, ASIAD 2018, and Asian Cup 2019, Cong Phuong also performed very well, and immediately after returning to Vietnam from Qatar, the striker from Do Luong was loaned to Incheon United, the former club of Xuan Truong, on a one-year contract.

Looking at previous overseas stints, one shouldn't expect too much from the dazzling performances of players like Van Lam, Xuan Truong, Cong Phuong, or possibly Van Hau and Quang Hai in their new teams. However, this is an unparalleled opportunity for these national team players and young talents to familiarize themselves with a new environment, gain experience playing against clubs from higher-level leagues, and continuously improve their skills, confidence, and professional demeanor.