Do Hoang Hen longs to wear the Vietnamese national team jersey and reunite with Nguyen Xuan Son.

Striker Do Hoang Hen (original name Hendrio Araujo) is nurturing a great ambition to contribute to the Vietnamese national team under the guidance of coach Kim Sang-sik. After officially completing the legal procedures to become a Vietnamese citizen, the Brazilian-born player sees being called up to the national team as an opportunity to repay the affection of fans after 5 years of dedication to Vietnam.

A promising collaboration between Do Hoang Hen and Nguyen Xuan Son.

The most notable highlight of Hoang Hen's plan is his desire to reunite with Nguyen Xuan Son. The two were once a formidable attacking duo at Nam Dinh FC, contributing significantly to the team's V-League championship victory. Their mutual understanding is expected to create a sharp attacking force for the Vietnamese national team in the future.

Sharing his thoughts on this connection, Hoang Hen affirmed: "Xuan Son and I have a special bond. On the field, we don't need to speak; we just need to glance at each other to understand what to do. Who makes runs to draw defenders, who passes, or who acts as a wall for the other to shoot – Son and I understand each other very well." The player is confident that his technical and passionate playing style will suit the football philosophy that the South Korean strategist is building.

Deep connection with Vietnamese culture

The 32-year-old striker's journey to becoming a naturalized citizen is marked by the influence of Hanoi FC. He adopted the surname Do to honor Chairman Do Vinh Quang and chose the name "Hen" (meaning luck) in the hope of good fortune in this new chapter of his career. After half a decade of living there, Hoang Hen says he has fully adapted to the local culture, from enjoying vegetarian dishes like pho and vermicelli to knowing the Vietnamese national anthem by heart.

Despite turning 32, the striker asserts that he is in the prime of his career thanks to his increasingly refined footballing mindset. Working alongside former star player Harry Kewell at Hanoi FC has helped him accumulate valuable professional experience and maintain his top form in domestic competitions.

Key objectives for 2026

Entering the new year 2026, Do Hoang Hen has set two clear goals: to help Hanoi FC regain its leading position in the V-League and to soon receive a call-up from coach Kim Sang-sik. This is also the first year he will celebrate Tet (Vietnamese New Year) as a true Vietnamese citizen.

With the Vietnamese national team needing new players capable of creating breakthroughs and providing stability in their gameplay, Do Hoang Hen's experience and chemistry with key players like Nguyen Xuan Son could become an important personnel option for upcoming international campaigns.