Vietnamese Women's Football: From Passion to Professionalism — A Challenging Journey on Asian Pitches

Hanoi Hang Day Stadium on a November 2026 afternoon, the cheers of approximately 3,000 spectators rang out each time the Vietnamese women's national team launched an attack. It was not an impressive number compared to men's football stadiums, but for Vietnamese women's football, it marked a significant step in building a sustainable fan base. The friendly match against Thailand's women's team was not just a performance showcase, but also an opportunity for experts to reassess Vietnam's women's football development strategy in the context of Southeast Asia undergoing strong changes. Vietnamese women's football has undergone a journey of more than two decades since the national women's team was officially established in 2026. Throughout this period, there have been moments of glory such as consecutive Southeast Asian championships, but also many times facing structural challenges that raised questions about the sustainability of development. Notably, while neighboring countries like Thailand and Myanmar have made significant progress in professionalizing women's football, Vietnam is still searching for its own path suitable to actual conditions. The tactics of the Vietnamese women's national team under coach Mai Duc Chung have undergone significant changes. From traditional defensive counter-attacking play, the team has gradually shifted to possession-based football with an average ball possession rate of 52% in recent matches — a figure showing marked improvement compared to the 41% in the 2026-2026 period. The 4-3-3 system is used flexibly, with the presence of young players like Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung, who has made over 45 appearances for the national team since her first call-up in 2026. This 2026-born player stands out with her high-pressing ability and explosive pace, creating continuous pressure on opposing defenses. However, the core weakness lies in squad depth. While the starting lineup can compete with top regional opponents, when it comes to tactical changes or injuries, the quality of substitutes decreases significantly. Statistics from the 2026 AFF Women's Championship show that the Vietnamese women's team had only 3 scorers, while Thailand had up to 8 goal scorers. This is a tactical issue that experts have repeatedly pointed out but has not been completely resolved. Financially, Vietnamese women's football is still in the transition phase from semi-professional to professional. According to figures from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), the budget for women's football in 2026 is estimated at approximately 25 billion VND, a 30% increase from 2026. While this figure is encouraging, it still accounts for less than 8% of VFF's total football budget. This disparity reflects the imbalanced resource allocation that many experts believe needs adjustment if Vietnam wants to compete in Asia. One notable bright spot is the development of the national women's championship. The 2026 season witnessed the participation of 8 teams, with Ho Chi Minh City I and Hanoi I as the strongest contenders for the title. Young players from the domestic league have begun to be given more opportunities to play, with the average age of starting lineups in recent matches decreasing from 26 to 24 years old — a positive sign that the rejuvenation process is taking effect. Looking more broadly, Vietnamese women's football is at a crucial crossroads. While countries like the Philippines have made leaps and bounds by reaching the final round of the 2026 Women's World Cup qualifiers, or Australia has become a real force on the continent, Vietnam is still in the foundation-building phase. This raises questions about long-term strategy: should Vietnam concentrate resources on developing the best group of players, or invest evenly to improve the overall quality of women's football? Tactical analysis reveals a concerning issue: the Vietnamese women's national team's playing style still relies too heavily on outstanding individuals like Nguyen Thi Van or Pham Hai Yen. When these players are absent or tightly marked, the collective play lacks the necessary cohesion. In the 0-2 loss to Japan's women's team in the 2026 Olympic qualification, Vietnam had only 2 shots on target — a statistic reflecting helplessness in creating chances against solid defense. Proposed solutions include inviting foreign experts to coach, investing in training facilities specifically for female players, and more importantly, building a systematic youth development system from the grassroots level. Japan's model, developing women's football from school and amateur club levels before professionalization, is considered a worthwhile reference. One aspect often overlooked in women's football discussions is commercial value. According to FIFA's report on the global women's football market, revenue from women's football is expected to reach 600 million USD by 2026. Vietnam, with a population of nearly 100 million people and women accounting for 49.5%, has enormous potential to develop a sustainable women's football market. However, this requires a change in marketing and media mindset, from investing in live broadcasts to building personal brands for players. Looking ahead, Vietnamese women's football's goals for the 2026-2028 period include improving its FIFA ranking from its current position (around 35th) to the top 30, securing a spot in the 2026 Asian Women's Cup, and especially developing at least 5 players capable of playing in foreign professional leagues. These are ambitious but not unattainable goals, provided the necessary elements of financing, expertise, and infrastructure are adequately met. Vietnamese women's football is not lacking in passion and ability. What it lacks is strategic investment, long-term vision, and most importantly, social recognition that women's football deserves serious investment like men's football. As the girls on Hang Day field continue to run, shoot, and fight, they represent not just a football team — they are continuing the story of a sports sector gradually establishing its position in the region and the world. That story, though still full of challenging chapters, is ultimately one worth following and supporting.