Top 10 Outstanding Football Players of Vietnam

Lê Huynh Duc was born on April 20, 1972, and is a coach and former footballer from Vietnam. He is one of the greatest footballers in Vietnamese football history. Lê Huynh Duc holds the record for participating in 5 consecutive Tiger Cup tournaments in 1996, 1998, 2000, 2002, and 2004. He is the second-most recipient of the Vietnamese Golden Ball award with three wins in 1995, 1997, and 2002, tied with Lê Công Vinh and only behind Phạm Thành Lương (four wins). With three Silver Ball awards and two Top Scorer awards in the national championship, Lê Huynh Duc holds the record for the most individual honors in Vietnam. He has been awarded the Labor Medal by the State twice.

Lê Huynh Duc has served as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Vietnam. He is currently the Head Coach of SHB Đà Nẵng Football Club and a member of the National Coaching Council. His football career began in 1994 when he joined the Military Zone 7 Football Team, later moving to the Ho Chi Minh City Police Football Team. He was quickly recognized as a talented player and became a member of the Vietnam national team.

Personal Honors:

• Vietnamese Golden Ball: 1995, 1997, 2002.
• Vietnamese Silver Ball: 1998, 1999, 2000.
• Top Scorer of the national championship: 1996, 1997.
• Labor Medal, Second Class, Third Class.

Cong Phuong was born on January 21, 1995, in My Son, Do Luong District, Nghe An Province. He is a professional Vietnamese footballer currently playing as a forward for Mito HollyHock in J-League 2. Nguyen Cong Phuong was one of the young players enrolled in the HAGL-Arsenal JMG Football Academy, class 1. In 2014, Cong Phuong played for Hoang Anh Gia Lai club. In the first match of the 2015 season, Cong Phuong was included in the starting lineup. On December 23, 2015, Cong Phuong signed a contract with Mito Hollyhock Club (Japan). Cong Phuong was called up by coach Miura Toshiya to the Vietnam U23 national team to participate in SEA Games 28. In this tournament, Cong Phuong scored 3 goals along with numerous assists.

In December 2018, Cong Phuong was called up by coach Park Hang Seo to the national team to participate in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup. In the opening match against Iraq, Cong Phuong scored 1 goal in the first half, but in the end, the opponent reversed the score to win 3-2. After an intense group stage match against Jordan in the round of 16, he continued to shine with a one-touch goal to equalize and win the penalty shootout, helping the team advance to the quarterfinals against the top 8 strongest teams in Asia. At the King's Cup 2019, Vietnam won 1-0 against Thailand to advance to the final against Curaçao. In the final match, the two teams drew 90 minutes and had to decide the winner in the penalty shootout, where Cong Phuong was the only player to miss his penalty, resulting in Vietnam's defeat to Curaçao (penalty 4-5), and they received the runner-up title of the tournament.

Personal Achievements:

• Best Young Player of Vietnam 2015.
  
• Most Popular Player in Vietnam: 2015, 2017, 2018.
  
• V-League Best XI: 2018, 2020.
  
• SEA Games 29 Top Scorer (with Thanabalan Nadarajah and Aung Thu).
  
• Club's Most Outstanding Player: 2020.
  
• M-150 Cup Top Scorer: (2017).
  
• International U21 Cup Top Scorer: 2014, 2015.
  
• V-League Top Scorer: 2020.
  
• Top 5 Most Popular Players in Asia: (2020).

Nguyen Hong Son, born Nguyen Sy Son on October 9, 1970, in Hanoi, is one of the most outstanding football players of the Vietnam national football team and Thể Công Club from 1995 to 2001. Wearing jersey number 8, Hong Son was the owner of two Vietnamese Golden Ball awards in 1998 and 2000, making him one of the greatest footballers in Vietnamese football history. Nguyen Hong Son joined the Army Football Club (also known as Thể Công) in 1988 and began playing for the national team in 1993. Initially, Hong Son played as a forward and later transitioned to a winger. In 1990, Hong Son won the top scorer award in the national championship. He won the silver medal at SEA Games 18, 20, and the Tiger Cup 1998, and the bronze medal at the Tiger Cup 1996 and SEA Games 19. In 1998, he was awarded the title of 'Tiger Cup Best Player.'

Nguyen Hong Son was once awarded the best player of the month in Asia in August 1998 and the 'Vietnamese Golden Ball' for the first time. In 1999, he ranked second in the Pepsi-sponsored exhibition football tournament (This tournament included many famous players such as David Beckham, Yorke, Ruis Costa, Roberto Carlos...). At the beginning of 2001, he won the 'Vietnamese Golden Ball' for the second time. At the end of the V-League 2002 season, Hong Son announced his retirement due to injury, but in the second phase of the 2003 season, he returned to Thể Công and later played for the Red Beer Factory Workers. He is also a captain in the Vietnamese People's Army, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In 2001, before leaving Vietnam, Coach Dido left an immortal saying about Son: 'If Hong Son was born in Brazil, he would have the potential to become a legend of world football.' After retiring from playing, Nguyen Hong Son became a football coach leading Thanh Nghia - Quang Ngai Football Club and later the U15 team of Thể Công. At the 2007 Southeast Asian Games, he served as the assistant coach of the Vietnamese national futsal team.

Personal Achievements:

• Vietnamese Golden Ball 1998 and 2000.
  
• Top scorer of the Vietnamese National Football Championship 1990.
  
• Tiger Cup Best Player 1998.
  
• Best Player of the Month in Asia in August 1998.

Nguyen Quang Hai, born on April 12, 1997, is a Vietnamese footballer who plays as a midfielder for Hanoi Football Club and the Vietnam national football team. He is the recipient of the 'Vietnamese Golden Ball' award in 2018 and also the best player in Southeast Asia in 2019. Born in Dong Anh district, Quang Hai joined Hanoi's youth team at the age of 9. At the age of 16, he was registered to participate in the 2013 National U19 Football Championship. Since 2014, he has won the National U19 Football Championship with Hanoi Football Club in 2014, 2016, and finished as runners-up in 2015. In the same year 2016, he won the National U21 Football Championship for the third time. Registered to participate in the V-League since 2014, Quang Hai played his first professional match in 2015 wearing the Saigon Football Club's jersey in the First Division. In 2016, he returned to Hanoi Football Club, playing as a midfielder and forward, helping the team win the V-League titles in 2016, 2018, 2019, and finish third in V-League 2017.

At the youth level, Quang Hai was a member of the Vietnamese national team that finished runner-up in the Southeast Asian U19 Football Championship in 2014 and 2015. His performance with the team reaching the semi-finals of the AFC U19 Championship 2016 also subsequently made him the captain of the Vietnamese national team participating in the FIFA U-20 World Cup 2017 for the first time. Later, he contributed 5 goals in the journey to win the runner-up at the AFC U-23 Championship of the Vietnamese U-23 national team in January 2018. He also played for the Vietnamese Olympic team reaching the semifinals of the 2018 Asian Games and was in the tournament's best XI. Quang Hai made his debut for the Vietnam national football team in June 2017. At the end of 2018, he was the 'Best Player' and together with the national team won the championship of the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup. At the AFC Asian Cup 2019, he and the Vietnam national football team reached the quarter-finals. In December 2018, Quang Hai won the 'Vietnamese Golden Ball' award. Prior to that, he was also the recipient of the 'Vietnamese Silver Ball' in 2017. These impressive achievements earned Quang Hai the Third-Class Labor Medal and the Second-Class Labor Medal from the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. Additionally, he is a Central Committee member of the Vietnam Youth Union VIII term 2019 - 2024.

Personal Achievements:

• Third-Class Labor Medal under Decision No. 125 signed by President Tran Dai Quang (2018).
• Best Player of the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup.
• Second-Class Labor Medal signed by President Nguyen Phu Trong.
• Vietnamese Silver Ball 2017
• Vietnamese Golden Ball 2018.
• Vietnamese Silver Ball 2021
• One of the 10 outstanding athletes nationwide in 2018.
• Central Committee member of the Vietnam Youth Union VIII term 2019–2024.

Lê Công Vinh, also known by the nickname 'CV9', was born on December 10, 1985. He is a former Vietnamese footballer who has played for clubs such as Sông Lam Nghệ An, Hà Nội T&T, Leixoes S.C, Hà Nội ACB, Consadole Sapporo, Becamex Bình Dương, and the Vietnamese national team as a forward. He is regarded as a legend of Southeast Asian football, one of the most outstanding and successful players in the history of Vietnamese football. He shone at the JVC Cup 2003. On October 26, 2008, Vinh officially signed a contract with T&T Hà Nội for a record fee of 8 billion VND along with a monthly salary of no less than 40 million VND. As of now, Vinh has numerous goals for the Vietnamese national team.

He is considered one of the best players in Southeast Asia in general and Vietnam in particular. Besides his natural position as a center forward, Công Vinh can also play well as a withdrawn forward or left winger thanks to his strengths in finishing and speed. In an online interview with Thanh Niên newspaper at the end of 2016, Công Vinh revealed that his favorite player during his youth was Luís Figo, so his preferred attacking style was also to penetrate the penalty area from the wings (mostly the left wing) to create opportunities for teammates or to score himself.

Individual Honors:

• Golden Ball Vietnam: 2004, 2006, 2007
  
• Silver Ball Vietnam: 2005
  
• Bronze Ball Vietnam: 2008, 2014, 2015
  
• Top Scorer, Ho Chi Minh City Football Cup 2004
  
• Top Scorer, Vietnam Football Cup 2004
  
• Best Player of the Vietnam Football Federation: 2004
  
• Best Player of the V-League: 2006, 2007
  
• V-League Best XI: 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013.
• Top 10 highest goal scorers for the national team in the world as of 2016.
• Most beautiful goals in each Asian Cup edition as voted by fans: Top 4 (2020).

Văn Quyết, born on June 27, 1991, hails from Thạch Thất, Hà Tây. At the age of 15 in 2005, he began training at the Thể Công youth training center with the aim of becoming a professional footballer. Under the guidance of Thể Công's experts, Văn Quyết quickly demonstrated his talent. He captained the U19 National Team to defeat the U21 Thailand team to win the Thanh Niên International U21 Championship in 2010. Văn Quyết was also voted the tournament's best player.

He caught the eye of Hà Nội T&T FC and joined the club at the beginning of 2011. He quickly asserted his value with intelligent play, speed, and good technique. Văn Quyết represented the U23 Vietnam team at the 26th SEA Games in 2011 with the goal of reaching the highest peak in the region. He played explosively and scored 5 goals for the Vietnam national team, including a hat-trick against the U23 Brunei team, which was ranked among the Top 10 fastest hat-tricks in the world. In the 2012 season, Nguyễn Văn Quyết won the Best Player award for January. He also scored the most goals by a domestic player in the season with 12 goals.

Individual Honors:

• At the V.League Awards 2022 ceremony, Văn Quyết was honored with 2 awards: 'Best V.League 1 Player' and 'V.League 1 Best XI'.
• Golden Ball Vietnam: 2020.
  
• Silver Ball Vietnam: 2014, 2015.
  
• Best Young Player of Vietnam: 2010, 2011.
  
• V-League 1 Domestic Top Scorer: 2012.
  
• Best V-League 1 Player: 2018, 2020.
  
• V-League 1 Best XI: 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019.
  
• Best Player of Thanh Niên International U21 Football Tournament: 2010.

Tuấn Anh, whose full name is Nguyễn Tuấn Anh, was born in 1995 in Quỳnh Phụ, Thái Bình. At the age of 9, he was one of the key players who helped the U11 Thái Bình national youth football team become runners-up in the national youth football championship held in Khánh Hòa. Also in 2004, Tuấn Anh was called up by the Thái Bình talent school. However, after training at the talent school for six months, his parents decided to bring him back home due to concerns about his young age and training conditions, despite the pleas of the coaches who wanted Tuấn Anh to stay, as he was one of the few children with good technical skills and a smart playing style. At the age of 12, Tuấn Anh joined the HAGL Arsenal JMG Football Academy.

On November 16, 2012, Arsenal's technical director, Steve Morrow, sent a summons to 4 players from the HAGL-Arsenal JMG Football Academy: Tuấn Anh, Nguyễn Công Phượng, Xuân Trường, and Đông Triều, to train and play alongside the U17 Arsenal players at Arsenal's training center in London. After the training stint in London, although his performance was not enough to join Arsenal's youth team, Tuấn Anh was still highly regarded by coach Wenger among the trialists and was recommended for a trial in Greece. He participated in two friendly tournaments with Hoàng Anh Gia Lai in Da Nang in December 2019 and Viettel in January 2020. He unexpectedly suffered an injury before the start of the V-League 2020 season after participating in a friendly tournament with Hoàng Anh Gia Lai in January, but he managed to recover quickly. Tuấn Anh continued to be trusted with the captain's armband for Hoàng Anh Gia Lai in the V-League 2020. On March 15, 2020, Tuấn Anh made his debut in the V-League 2020 in Round 2 when Hoàng Anh Gia Lai played away against Viettel. He started in the match, which ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw at Hàng Đẫy Stadium, before being substituted in the 68th minute due to a minor injury, making way for Nguyễn Văn Anh, who scored the equalizing goal for Hoàng Anh Gia Lai.

Individual Honors:

• Best Player of the ASEAN U19 Football Championship 2013.
  
• Best Young Player of Vietnam 2014.
  
• Best Player of HAGL Club 2015.

Trần Công Minh was born on September 1, 1970, in Hoa Long commune, Đức Thành district, Sa Đéc province, now Lai Vung town, Lai Vung district, Đồng Tháp province. He is a former player of Đồng Tháp Football Club and the Vietnam national team, and currently works as a football coach. He played as a right-back and is considered one of the best full-backs in the history of Vietnamese football. He was a key member of the Vietnam national team from 1995 to 2000. He won the Vietnamese Golden Ball award in 1999 and several Silver and Bronze Ball awards in previous years. After retiring in 2002, Trần Công Minh transitioned to coaching. He is currently the head coach of Đồng Tháp Football Club.

Trần Công Minh retired from football in 2002. In 2003, he started coaching and has served as the head coach of Đồng Tháp's first team. He was also an assistant coach of Đồng Tâm Long An. In July 2008, he replaced coach Ednaldo Patricio as the head coach and secured the first victory against Hải Phòng with a score of 2 - 1 on July 27, 2008. He continued to serve in various coaching roles at Đồng Tâm Long An. In April 2012, Trần Công Minh officially terminated his contract with Đồng Tâm Long An and returned to his hometown of Sa Đéc three days after being invited by Đồng Tháp's leadership to become the head coach, replacing Trang Văn Thành. In May 2016, he decided to accept the offer to become the head coach of Đồng Tháp after the team only earned 3 points in 7 matches in the V-League 2016.

Personal Achievements:

• Golden Ball: 1999.
  
• Silver Ball: 1996.
  
• Bronze Ball: 1997, 1998.

Phạm Thành Lương was born on September 10, 1988, in Phù Lưu Hạ village, Phù Lưu commune, Ứng Hòa district, Hà Tây province (now part of Hanoi), Vietnam. He is a footballer for Hanoi T&T Football Club, a member of the Vietnam national football team, and has also been the captain of the Vietnam national U23 football team. With 4 Golden Ball awards in 2009, 2011, 2014, and 2016, Phạm Thành Lương is considered one of the greatest footballers in the history of Vietnamese football.

In 2008, despite Hanoi - ACB Football Club's unsuccessful performance in the Vietnam National Football Championship and their relegation, Lương and the club won the national cup. In particular, Thành Lương was called up to the Vietnam national football team by coach Henrique Calisto to prepare for the 2008 AFF Championship. At this tournament, Lương performed well, scoring 2 goals against Malaysia and Laos, contributing to Vietnam's championship title. He was also the captain of the Vietnam U23 national team at the 26th SEA Games. After the disappointing 2016 AFF Championship for the Vietnam national team (defeat against Indonesia with an aggregate score of 3 - 4), Phạm Thành Lương officially parted ways with the Vietnam national team after 8 years of dedication, having played 78 matches and scored 7 goals.

Personal Achievements:

• Golden Ball Vietnam 2009, 2011, 2014, 2016.
• Best Young Player Vietnam 2008.

Lương Xuân Trường was born on April 28, 1995, in Tuyên Quang, where his passion for football was evident from a young age. His father, Mr. Lương Bách Chiến, recognized his son's special talent early on. At the age of 6, Trường began receiving basic football lessons from his father. Mr. Chiến imposed a rigorous training regime on his son. Every day, Xuân Trường had to score 100 goals against his father's goal or make 100 accurate crosses. Xuân Trường was one of the first players from the Hoàng Anh Gia Lai - Arsenal - JMG football academy. On November 16, 2012, Arsenal's technical director, Steve Morrow, decided to call up 4 players from the HAGL-Arsenal JMG Football Academy, including Tuấn Anh, Công Phượng, Xuân Trường, and Đồng Triều, to the Arsenal Training Center in London for training and matches with the U17 Arsenal team.

In early 2019, he moved from Hoàng Anh Gia Lai to Buriram United on a one-year loan deal. After sitting on the bench for six consecutive matches, Lương Xuân Trường was brought on as a substitute in the 79th minute for Jakkaphan Kaewprom against Beijing Guoan in the AFC Champions League. He scored his first goal for Buriram United with a remarkable free-kick against Nakhon Ratchasima in Round 9 of Thai League 1. In the 21st minute, Buriram United was awarded a free-kick from just over 20 meters in front of the goal, and Xuân Trường scored with a free-kick. This goal was voted the Best Goal of May in Thai League 1. After four months, he parted ways with Buriram United and returned to Vietnam to play for Hoàng Anh Gia Lai.

Accolades:

• Silver Ball Vietnam 2016.
• Runner-up U19 Southeast Asian Championship: 2013, 2014
• Runner-up AFC U-23 Championship: 2018
• Fourth place in men's football at the 2018 Asian Games
• Southeast Asian Championship: 2018