The 10 Most Regrettable Football Talents in Vietnam

Phan Thanh Bình, born in 1986, came up through Đồng Tháp football club. He showcased his skills early, winning the title of Best Young Player of the National Football Championship in 2003 at just 17 years old. Between 2003 and 2008, he was the main striker for Đồng Tháp and the Vietnamese national team. Bình was known for his versatility, strong aerial abilities, and good positioning. However, his rapid rise to fame led to external pressures and off-field challenges that caused his performance to decline. By the time he was 27, at the peak of a footballer's career, he seemed to disappear from the Vietnamese football scene. Many people have forgotten about him, a once-promising striker. His career took a downturn when he joined Hoàng Anh Gia Lai in 2009, and he never regained his previous form despite playing for various clubs, from professional leagues to the lower divisions. In 2016, at 31 years old, Phan Thanh Bình retired. His passion for football led him to pursue coaching qualifications, occasionally providing football commentary and coaching at the Juventus Vietnam Academy. However, no matter where he went, his heart always remained with his hometown, where he found his success. In early 2020, Bình joyfully accepted an invitation to coach youth football at the provincial sports center, contributing to the place where his career began.

Long Giang is forever associated with the heartbreak of U23 Vietnam's near-miss at the 25th SEA Games, a tournament when the gold medal seemed within reach. Nguyễn Thành Long Giang was the top defender for U23 Vietnam during the 25th and 27th SEA Games. At just 23, he was named in the starting lineup for Vietnam's national team during the 2014 World Cup qualifiers. Long Giang also earned the title of Vietnam’s Best Young Player for two consecutive years in 2006 and 2007. On July 19, 2014, he and five other players from Đồng Nai were arrested for their involvement in a match-fixing scandal during a V-League match where Đồng Nai lost 3-5 to Quảng Ninh. Soon after, both VFF and AFC banned these players from all football-related activities. Despite his quiet demeanor both on and off the field, the revelation of Long Giang’s involvement in the scandal shocked many fans. Standing at 1.73m and weighing 60kg, the Gò Công-born defender had an incredible sense of positioning and exceptional tackling skills, often drawing comparisons to Italian defenders. He was versatile, capable of playing as a holding midfielder or covering the wings. Long Giang was also known for his handsome features and gentle smile. In 2002, his team Tiền Giang won the U15 National Championship, with Long Giang's golden locks shining in the heat. Even today, he still has a fan club on social media, a rare phenomenon for footballers in Vietnam.

Nguyễn Xuân Nam, born in 1994, developed his skills at the Hà Nội T&T youth academy. He played alongside notable players like Huy Toàn, Ngọc Hải, and Duy Khánh, gaining recognition for his sharpness and precision in finishing. After the 2012 AFC U19 Championship, Xuân Nam suffered a serious injury and was loaned to SHB Vientiane for one year. The 2015 season marked a major breakthrough for him as he impressed while playing for Vientiane, scoring 22 goals and winning the Silver Boot in the Lao League. Despite his strong performances, Xuân Nam was never called up to the U23 national team or Vietnam's senior squad. Coach David Booth from Laos suggested he could naturalize as a Lao citizen and represent their national team, but Xuân Nam respectfully declined, expressing his desire to return to Vietnam and one day play for his national team. In recent years, Xuân Nam rejoined Hà Nội T&T and is determined to secure a spot in the first team, despite facing tough competition from top strikers like Sam Son, Gonzalo, and Văn Quyết. His unwavering determination remains as he continues to aspire to contribute to Vietnam's national football team.

On the international stage, Xuân Nam has been a key figure in Vietnam's U16 and U19 teams. He made a significant impact at the 2010 AFC U16 Championship, scoring a crucial goal against China to help Vietnam win the championship. Although his career has been filled with impressive performances and notable achievements, Xuân Nam has never had the opportunity to play for Vietnam's senior national team, which is undoubtedly a missed opportunity for one of Vietnam's talented footballers.

Lâm Tấn was part of the same generation as Quốc Vượng, Văn Quyến, Như Thuật, and Hải Nam, and developed through the Sông Lam Nghệ An youth academy. Alongside his teammates, Lâm Tấn helped Sông Lam Nghệ An dominate the youth football scene. In 2000, Lâm Tấn and the U16 Vietnam team reached the semifinals of the AFC U16 Championship. At just 17 years old, he was promoted to the senior team of Sông Lam Nghệ An, quickly becoming an outstanding left-back and even competing for a starting spot against veteran defender Văn Sỹ Sơn. In 2002, Lâm Tấn was called up to the U23 national team for the 2003 SEA Games. With his imposing physique and fiery style of play, he was considered a promising replacement for Vietnam's veteran defenders like Trần Công Minh and Văn Sỹ Sơn.

However, a series of injuries hindered Lâm Tấn's career, with his constant injuries leading to a decline in form. In 2007, he suffered a ligament tear that kept him off the field for three years. When he returned in 2010, he was welcomed back by Sông Lam Nghệ An's coach Hữu Thắng, but fate was cruel as he suffered another injury that led to his decision to retire from football. Lâm Tấn had the physique and skills to become a top defender, and his rise was cut short by bad luck. At just 16 years old, Lâm Tấn was already tall and strong, and his tackling skills were exceptional. Yet, misfortune struck, and after his ligament injury in 2003, his career was never the same. Even though he made a brief return to the pitch in 2007, his ligament rupture in that year ended his career for good. He became another talented player lost to injury, vanishing from the football scene.

The group of players who achieved fourth place in the 2000 AFC U16 Championship and participated in the 2003 SEA Games are considered some of the most talented, but also the most unfortunate in terms of their careers. Như Thuật, another product of the Sông Lam Nghệ An youth academy, played alongside famous players like Văn Quyến and Quốc Vượng. He was a central midfielder with a smooth, technical style of play. At the 2000 AFC U16 Championship, Như Thuật stood out as a creative playmaker with his elegant dribbling and imaginative passes, being the catalyst for many of Vietnam U16's attacks. His contribution helped the team reach the semifinals, and there were high hopes for him to follow in the footsteps of former star Hồng Sơn.

However, despite the early praise, Như Thuật struggled to maintain his form and fell behind his peers in terms of development. Though he was still given opportunities by coaches, the 1984-born midfielder failed to showcase the expected progress and eventually moved to several different clubs. His situation was especially tragic, as he had an exemplary lifestyle, discipline, and strong moral character, but his lack of physical development hindered his progress.

Phan Như Thuật was indeed a special player. Not only was he known for his football talent and his magical passes, but he also stood out as a rare case in Vietnamese football—being admitted to the Communist Party while still an active player. During his time at Sông Lam Nghệ An, he also served as the team's secretary and accountant due to his disciplined work ethic and integrity.

Nguyễn Công Cường, the winner of the 'Vietnamese Football Prince' competition, earned a one-year scholarship to the Liverpool Football Academy. However, due to certain issues with the organizers, Cường was only able to train for three months before being forced to return to Vietnam. Despite this setback, he continued to train and participate in local youth tournaments. Unfortunately, another serious injury cut short his promising career, forcing him to permanently leave professional football.

The program organizers cited the global economic crisis as the reason for the suspension of Cường's training, leaving him in uncertainty. His family reached out to the organizers multiple times for clarification, but their inquiries were met with cold indifference. Unable to continue in professional football, Cường also faced the challenge of not being able to finish his high school education as he had taken a leave to pursue training in England.

What had once seemed like a bright future quickly turned into a series of closed doors for the young talent. From a rising star with immense promise, Công Cường now only occasionally plays in informal matches with friends to keep his passion alive and stay in shape. On the mini-pitch, Cường still showcases his superior technical skills compared to other players, but sadly, the 'Vietnamese Football Prince' could never reclaim the glory he once held.

Not many people know that Thai Sung was the only Southeast Asian player to make it into the top 10 most talented young players in Europe in 2010. He was the first and only Vietnamese player to date to be accepted into Qatar's prestigious Aspire Academy. At the academy, Thai Sung stood out for his technical skills and energetic playing style, despite his physical disadvantage compared to teammates from other countries. In 2010, Thai Sung and the Aspire Academy team reached the finals of the European Youth Championship, overcoming renowned football academies like Manchester United, Barcelona, and AC Milan.

After finishing his training, Thai Sung returned to his hometown club, SHB Da Nang, with high expectations. However, this decision led to difficulties. His style of play—short passes and full control of the game—did not align with the tactical approach of SHB Da Nang or most teams in the V-League. This mismatch in playing philosophy caused Thai Sung’s performance to decline. He wasn't promoted to the V-League team and was relegated to the U21 Da Nang squad. Even in the youth team, he was sidelined due to his incompatible playing style. Another factor preventing Thai Sung from adapting was his small physical build, compounded by his weak fitness. An injury to his groin ligaments also led to his disappearance from the professional scene.

Unable to find opportunities with his hometown club, Thai Sung tried his luck at Hanoi FC in the 2015 V.League 2 season on a one-year loan. He received positive evaluations from coach Nguyen Duc Thang after the team earned promotion to the V.League. He later joined Kon Tum FC in the V.League 3 and continued his journey with Long An FC. However, his career was interrupted in 2019 by a torn left knee ligament. Tragically, this happened just when he was regaining his playing form. Although he occasionally played in U21 tournaments, Thai Sung remained mostly on the bench, even taking on the role of preparing drinks for his teammates.

One of Vietnam's most celebrated football prodigies is former forward Tran Minh Chien. At just 19, he helped the Ho Chi Minh City Police FC win the national championship. That season, Minh Chien scored 14 goals and earned the titles of top scorer and best young player. His relentless effort paid off when, at the age of 21, Minh Chien became Vietnam’s top forward, scoring a legendary goal against Myanmar to send Vietnam to the final of the 1995 SEA Games in Thailand. Minh Chien was well-known for his acrobatic volleys and bicycle kicks. During this period, he and Hong Son were regarded as Vietnam’s top attacking players with exceptional skills.

However, persistent injuries forced the forward, born in 1974, to retire prematurely at 22. This was a huge loss for Vietnamese football, especially as the golden generation faced setbacks in major tournaments and failed to claim Southeast Asia’s top honors. Reflecting on his early career, Minh Chien admitted that his stardom led to a situation where coaches hesitated to provide direct feedback to national team players. This lack of honest guidance led Minh Chien down a very different path from Hong Son, who, after undergoing treatment in Germany, earned the affection of coach Weigang as if he were family.

While Minh Chien had to retire early due to injury, Hong Son continued to play and won numerous prestigious titles. Yet life does not always take or give everything. Minh Chien ended his playing career prematurely but later reinvented himself as a professional football coach. He was one of the founding members of the PVF coaching staff, where he spent nearly a decade before becoming head coach of Becamex Binh Duong. During this time, Minh Chien mentored future football stars of Vietnam, such as Duc Chinh, Thai Quy, Thanh Thinh, and Trong Hoa.

To this day, Pham Van Quyen is still considered the greatest football prodigy in Vietnam's history. He made his name at the age of just 16, playing a pivotal role in Vietnam U16's stunning fourth-place finish at the AFC U16 Championship. It might be many years before Vietnam produces another versatile attacking player like Quyen. He possessed a unique combination of speed, skill, dribbling ability, and powerful long-range shots, especially his signature curled right-foot shots that made him a formidable force on the pitch. Quyen left a lasting impression during the 22nd and 23rd SEA Games, where he delivered explosive performances, scoring crucial goals, and became the driving force and leader of the Vietnam U23 team.

With his natural talent, Pham Van Quyen won several individual accolades, such as Best Young Player in the National Championship in 2000 and 2002, and Best Young Player in the 2000 AFC U16 Championship. In 2003, at just 19, he claimed the Vietnam Golden Ball award. By then, no one regarded Quyen as a mere prodigy; he was seen as the number one football talent in Vietnam. Even Thailand’s legendary coach Kiatisak 'Zico' once said, 'Only Pham Van Quyen can strike fear into the hearts of the Thai players.'

However, at the urging of his teammate Quoc Vuong, Quyen became involved in match-fixing. He was arrested and charged along with Quoc Vuong, Hai Lam, Quoc Anh, Van Truong, and Phuoc Vinh. On January 26, 2007, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Court sentenced Pham Van Quyen to two years in prison, but the sentence was suspended. The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) also banned him from participating in any of their competitions for four years, starting from March 20, 2007. The tragic twist of events at the 23rd SEA Games, when Quyen was implicated in a match-fixing scandal, marked the downfall of his career. Though he made a comeback, he never regained his former lethal goal-scoring form. Even after a decade, his story remains one of the most regrettable for fans.

When recalling Pham Van Quyen and the infamous Bacolod scandal at the 23rd SEA Games in the Philippines, one cannot forget Le Quoc Vuong. Born in 1983, Vuong was a product of the Song Lam Nghe An football academy, along with the likes of Huy Hoang, Duong Hong Son, Pham Van Quyen, and Le Cong Vinh. Playing as a central midfielder for both Song Lam Nghe An and the Vietnam U23 team, Vuong was regarded as one of the most talented players of his generation. While Quyen was a prolific striker, Vuong was the key figure in midfield. With exceptional tactical awareness and impressive stamina, Vuong was once hailed by the AFC as one of the brightest young talents in the region.

Le Quoc Vuong was known for his versatility—capable of dropping deep to defend or recovering the ball with ease, and he was also a dangerous threat with long passes and powerful shots. However, his early rise to stardom took its toll on him. Off the field, Vuong gained a reputation for his wild lifestyle and was considered a mentor to younger players. At the 23rd SEA Games, Vuong was implicated as the ringleader in a match-fixing scheme. Like Pham Van Quyen, Vuong struggled to regain his form after serving his sentence. The 2005 Bacolod match-fixing scandal, which involved seven former U23 players, remains a painful memory for Vietnam football fans. Vuong, in particular, received the harshest punishment: a four-year prison sentence for organizing illegal gambling activities. It was a heartbreaking chapter in his life, as he went from a rising star to someone who nearly lost everything.

In 2009, after receiving a pardon, Le Quoc Vuong was given a chance to return to football by the sports ministry and his former club, The Cong. Vuong worked tirelessly to get back to his best, but after four years away from the game, his road to recovery was filled with obstacles, leading him to retire from professional football at the end of the 2011 season while playing for Thanh Hoa FC, leaving behind a career full of regrets and unfulfilled potential.