Khuat Van Khang: From 'the hunger strike boy' to the goal of building a filial piety house by 2026

Khuat Van Khang enters 2026 not only as a rising star but also with a simple yet incredibly strong aspiration in life. The midfielder, currently playing for The Cong Viettel, is striving to transform his on-field successes into the most practical gift for his family: a spacious house in his hometown of Phuc Tho.

The journey from 'hunger strike boy' to Vietnamese football record holder.

Few people know that, to become the resilient Khuất Văn Khang he is today, he had to go through an intense psychological struggle with his family. In 2013, when he was accepted into the Viettel training academy, the 10-year-old boy used unwavering determination, even going on a hunger strike, to convince his parents to allow him to pursue his passion. Coming from a working-class family with a father who was a construction worker and a mother who ran a small business, Khang understood the value of hard work from the days he wore worn-out canvas shoes on the training field.

That perseverance paid off with an impressive record in his twenties. Van Khang made a significant mark by becoming the first Vietnamese player to participate in three consecutive U23 Asian Championships. Notably, 2025 marks a crucial milestone in his career with a valuable collection of titles including two U23 Southeast Asian Championships, a gold medal at the 2025 SEA Games, and the 2024 AFF Cup.

Goal 2026: Build a family of filial piety and achieve breakthroughs together with The Cong Viettel.

For Khuat Van Khang, football is not just about glory, but also a means to change his family's life. He shared that this sport has given him the opportunity to travel to many places, learn many things, and achieve proud accomplishments. However, the midfielder affirmed that he will not stop at what he has already achieved.

In 2026, Khang's biggest goal is to help The Cong Viettel achieve the highest rankings in the domestic league. Besides that, he still maintains his great aspiration to play well enough to build a new house for his parents. This is a crucial motivation that helps him maintain the highest training intensity and fighting spirit every time he steps onto the field.

After enjoying the Lunar New Year holiday with his family, Khuất Văn Khang is ready to return with renewed energy. The combination of his individual skill and determination to overcome challenges promises to help him continue to be a crucial pillar in both his club and the national team in the upcoming trials.