A farewell letter from Coach Park's assistant to the Vietnamese players.
Bae Ji-won expressed her feelings after more than a year as a fitness assistant in Vietnam, in a long letter sent to VnExpress on the afternoon of December 19th.
I am writing this letter to the players, colleagues, and dear friends.
I've been working in Vietnam for over a year, but only now, as I say goodbye, do I realize I'll be leaving behind some very special friends. Saying goodbye to the Vietnamese national team is the hardest decision of my life.
In life, we always meet new people. Some people become closer than usual, even if there were no initial signs of that. When that happens, we want to see them more often. After saying goodbye to the players, I involuntarily looked back on the past year. I realized that the memories I shared with each player gave me a clearer understanding of their personalities and who they were.
![]() |
| Mr. Bae Ji-won (third from the left) proactively bid farewell to Vietnam after winning the AFF Cup. Photo: Duc Dong. |
The decision to leave still makes my heart ache. Only when we are apart do we truly realize the meaning of the memories we shared.Writing these words still makes me sad because I have to leave behind unforgettable memories and admirable players. I want to express my gratitude to the lovely players who have been with me for over a year.
I remember accompanying center-back Bui Tien Dung when he was recovering from injury in December 2017 in Thailand. Tien Dung later recovered in time to lead Vietnam to a resounding victory at the U23 Asian Championship.
I remember Do Duy Manh fighting so hard in the U23 Asian Championship final. His tears when we conceded a goal in the final minutes left an unforgettable memory in my mind.
I remember Nguyen Phong Hong Duy and center-back Nguyen Thanh Chung were dropped from the Asian Games squad. Midfielder Dinh Thanh Trung and defender Duong Thanh Hao were also absent from the AFF Cup roster.
I remember Nguyen Huy Hung making a strong and impressive comeback after his injury.
Many happy, regrettable, and sad moments still linger in my heart.
My pen continues to roll, and my mind still holds every smile of the players. Working with them makes me happy. The jokes and teasing help us become closer. Each player has their own sense of humor, and from that, I understand their personalities. Jokes are also a way for players to get closer to the coach. That's how we build our relationship.
I want to thank the players for giving me the opportunity to work with them. They made me feel more comfortable in my job. Some players even called me "Dad." And I also got to hear them talk about their girlfriends, and even get to say hello to some of them through video calls.
![]() |
| Mr. Bae (in the red jacket) plays a quiet but crucial role for the Vietnamese national team. Photo: Duc Dong. |
With faith, we have everything. By opening our hearts and talking to each other, we can truly understand each other's character.Sometimes coaches need to be firm, but that's how they build trust and help players overcome difficulties.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the players for their unwavering trust in me. That has helped me to do my job in the best way possible.
Nguyen Anh Duc is always friendly and playful everywhere he goes. He's the type of player who easily becomes close friends with coaches.
Nguyen Van Quyet consistently demonstrates the qualities of a captain, serving as a role model for his teammates.
Nguyen Cong Phuong is always courageous on the field, but he is a gentle and quiet guy off the field. That makes him even more lovable.
Ha Duc Chinh possesses a bright and charming smile, which always brings joy to those around him.
Nguyen Tien Linh is friendlier than he looks. His jokes, day after day, still delight me.
Nguyen Van Toan became closer to me during the AFF Cup, when he was injured. He's an optimistic guy with a bright smile. Sometimes I see Van Toan as a son, sometimes as a friend. Either way, he always brings me happiness.
Phan Văn Đức is truly an uncontrollably funny kid on the team. He has a pure heart and is always optimistic both on and off the field.
Nguyen Quang Hai is a player who is not easy to approach, not because he is disrespectful, but because he always trains to the fullest. In life, Quang Hai is disciplined and serious, but also has a warm heart.
Luong Xuan Truong possesses many admirable qualities. He's like a leader, knowing how to take responsibility and motivate his teammates. Xuan Truong is even willing to sacrifice for the team. He's calm and fully focused on self-development.
Pham Duc Huy is a man of few words, but he will try his best to complete his tasks. He is quite reserved but has a warm heart.
Nguyen Huy Hung has an optimistic philosophy of life and is always ready to be considerate of others.
Do Hung Dung always dedicates his full potential to the team without seeking personal fame. I have special faith in his efforts. Hung Dung possesses an open and optimistic mindset.
Nguyen Phong Hong Duy usually greets everyone with a smile and an optimistic attitude. My relationship with him is progressing well.
![]() |
| Mr. Bae celebrates with the players after winning the 2018 AFF Cup. Photo: Giang Huy. |
Doan Van Hau is a young talent representing the new generation of Vietnamese football. He is eager to prove himself, regardless of age. Van Hau likes to ask questions and frankly criticizes unsportsmanlike behavior. He also has a warm smile.
Nguyen Trong Hoang is calm but will do everything to complete his task. He is always shy around people. But if you get to know Trong Hoang well, you'll easily see that he has a burning passion.
Defender Tiến Dũng has a strong personality and strict discipline. He's more mature than his age. When I first joined the Vietnamese national team, he was still recovering from injury. We became closer and closer through each training session on the field.
Luc Xuan Hung is an introverted and quiet person, but he has a pure heart. He struggles to convey his emotions to others, yet he remains a mystery. Even without playing time, he trains diligently.
Que Ngoc Hai is a man with an iron will, who never accepts injustice. He has also demonstrated leadership qualities.
Tran Dinh Trong has the most beautiful eyes on the team. But on the field, he's a warrior. I really like his sincerity. Dinh Trong is also one of the rare players on the team who always brings laughter.
Do Duy Manh and I have forged a friendship since the U23 Asian Championship in China. I am proud to see him give his all in every situation. Duy Manh's fighting spirit gives confidence to his teammates. He also never loses his smile.
Goalkeeper Bui Tien Dung shows remarkable effort and determination in training and matches. He never stops smiling and always stands his ground.
Nguyen Tuan Manh is an experienced and skilled goalkeeper. He's the team's comedian. There were times when Tuan Manh might have been angry and jealous about not being the starting goalkeeper. But he remained patient and is a role model for his teammates to follow.
Dang Van Lam has a smile that makes his teammates feel comfortable. He's kind-hearted by nature and always knows how to showcase his skills on the field. Van Lam has good relationships with all his teammates.
Some might say our success this year is due to luck. But it's the result of harmony and mutual trust, enabling us to overcome difficulties.Each player played a unique role in the team's success. I will never forget the memories I shared. I want to thank the players once again and wish them success in the future. May your lives continue to be filled with happiness.
Thank you to the coaching staff for providing me with the best possible conditions to support the players. I wish them and their families much joy.
I am extremely happy to be with the players. Thank you to the Vietnam Football Federation for giving me this experience.





