The journey of Becamex Ho Chi Minh City: From Song Be team to the illustrious 'Vietnamese Chelsea'.
Discover the glorious history of Becamex Ho Chi Minh City with 4 V.League championships, the golden era of the late coach Le Thuy Hai, and the iconic Nguyen Anh Duc at Go Dau Stadium.
Becamex Ho Chi Minh City is one of the most traditional and successful clubs in the history of Vietnamese professional football. With its origins as Song Be FC, the club has undergone a spectacular transformation to become a powerhouse with 4 V.League championships, and is also a pioneer in the model of sports socialization.
Historical milestones through the ages.
The history of the team based at Go Dau Stadium is divided into many periods of ups and downs, from its early days of establishment after 1976 to its peak period when it was known as "Vietnamese Chelsea".
| Stage | Main event | Outstanding achievements |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 - 1994 | Establishing the Song Be football team. | Winner of the 1994 National Cup |
| 2002 | Becamex IDC takes over. | Begin comprehensive professionalization. |
| 2007 - 2008 | The Le Thuy Hai Era | 2 consecutive V.League championships |
| 2009 | Reaching continental heights | AFC Cup Semi-finals |
| 2014 - 2015 | A historic treble. | Winners of the V.League, National Cup, and Super Cup. |
| 2016 - present | Rejuvenation strategy | Training talents like Tien Linh and Vi Hao. |
From Song Be football team to the turning point at Becamex IDC
Starting in 1976, the Song Be football team gradually built its own identity with the passionate playing style of the people of the Southeast region. The first milestone was winning the National Cup in 1994 after defeating Saigon Port. However, it wasn't until 2002, when Becamex IDC officially took over, that the team truly transformed.
With abundant financial resources, the club launched a massive talent recruitment campaign, bringing top stars to Go Dau Stadium. The nickname "Vietnamese Chelsea" was born from this, reflecting the team's ambition and unparalleled financial strength in the domestic arena.
An era of dominance and lasting impact in the AFC Cup.
Becamex Ho Chi Minh City's true strength was unleashed when coach Le Thuy Hai arrived. With his strong personality, he united top-class stars like Philani, Huynh Kesley Alves, and Nguyen Anh Duc into a cohesive unit. The result was two consecutive V.League championships in 2007 and 2008.
Most notably, in 2009, the club caused a sensation by reaching the semi-finals of the AFC Cup. This is still considered one of the most glorious achievements of Vietnamese football in Asian competitions, affirming the position of a team that is not only strong domestically but also capable of competing regionally.
The historic treble and a fundamental rejuvenation strategy.
The 2014-2015 period marked the team's return to its peak with a squad resembling a "miniature national team". Under the guidance of coach Mai Duc Chung and technical director Le Thuy Hai, the club completed a historic treble in 2015, winning the V.League, the National Cup, and the National Super Cup.
After their second golden era, the management decided to shift their focus to youth development instead of spending lavishly on new signings. This strategy has yielded positive results with the emergence of striker Nguyen Tien Linh – currently the main goalscorer for the Vietnamese national team. In addition, talents like Bui Vi Hao and To Van Vu continue to maintain the team's identity and its formidable presence in the V.League.
Immortal monuments at Go Dau Stadium
When discussing the club's history, it's impossible not to mention Nguyen Anh Duc – a symbol of perseverance and professionalism. He holds the record for the most appearances and goals, and is one of the rare players who spent his entire peak period with the Binh Duong team.
Besides Anh Duc, foreign players like Philani and Huynh Kesley Alves have also become an inseparable part of the memories of the fans who regularly fill the stands at Go Dau Stadium. Despite being in a restructuring phase, Becamex Ho Chi Minh City remains a formidable force, ready to conquer new heights in the near future.
