Dinh Bac confirms the possibility of playing abroad, Ninh Binh appoints a foreign coach.
Striker Nguyen Dinh Bac revealed his ambition to play abroad after receiving a major award, while Ninh Binh and Da Nang simultaneously changed key personnel.
Vietnamese football news over the past 24 hours has seen significant changes, from promising individuals to the top management structure of clubs. Focus has been placed on the Dedication Awards ceremony and strategic personnel changes in the central region and the ancient capital of Ninh Binh.
Nguyen Dinh Bac and his ambition to reach continental prominence.
At the 20th Dedication Awards Ceremony held on the evening of April 15th, striker Nguyen Dinh Bac was honored as "Young Sportsman of the Year". This is a well-deserved reward for the tireless efforts of the 2004-born striker in the national team and club colors over the past time. Facing opportunities to develop his career, Dinh Bac has openly expressed his desire to test himself in more developed football leagues.
"I don't know what difficulties or challenges await me in the future, but if I have the opportunity to play abroad, I will do my best," Dinh Bac shared. This statement shows the professional mindset and desire to break out of the comfort zone of the current generation of young Vietnamese players.
Reforming the top leadership in Ninh Binh and Da Nang.
In other news, Ninh Binh club has taken a pivotal step in preparation for the 2026-2027 season. Mr. Vu Tien Thanh has officially stepped down as head coach to take on the role of Technical Director, handing over the coaching position to South Korean strategist Bae Ji-won.
This move aims not only to optimize the management structure but also to help the team meet professional licensing criteria. The appointment of Mr. Bae Ji-won, a person with expertise in Vietnamese football, is expected to bring a fresh tactical approach to the team from the ancient capital.
In Central Vietnam, Da Nang FC is also not immune to the changes. After coach Le Duc Tuan resigned due to poor performance, the club's management quickly appointed Tran Minh Chien as head coach. This is an attempt to salvage the turbulent season for the team from the Han River amidst a prolonged performance crisis.
Hong Duy's future and the developments at the AFC.
The transfer market is also heating up with news about Nguyen Phong Hong Duy. After losing his starting spot at Nam Dinh with only 12 appearances since the beginning of the season, the defender is likely to join Truong Tuoi Dong Nai after the season ends to seek more regular playing opportunities.
At the continental level, the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has finalized the draw for the 2027 Asian Cup on May 9th in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Vietnamese fans are concerned about a "group of death" with the participation of long-standing rivals such as Japan and Iraq. In addition, the AFC has also proposed expanding the Asian Champions League (ACL Elite) to 32 teams from the 2026/27 season, opening up more opportunities for Vietnamese clubs to return to the continent's biggest competition.
Finally, the strength of Vietnamese youth football continues to earn respect from the region. Coach Shukor Adan of the Malaysian U17 team acknowledged that the strength of the Vietnamese and Indonesian U17 teams is completely equal after their convincing performances in the continental arena, affirming the leading position of these two countries in Southeast Asia.
