Vietnamese Football: A Journey from the Pitch to the Hearts of Fans

When gray hair talks about football, don't rush to cover your ears — because the fire is still red. I have spent 48 years observing the rotations of the ball, from European pitches to the small streets of Vietnam. And there is one thing I have realized: Vietnamese football is not just a sport, but a story of faith, perseverance, and an unceasing desire to rise. Look back at the journey of the national team. From the early days as a small team on the Asian football map, Vietnam has now become a real force in Southeast Asia. But the story doesn't stop at victories on the pitch. It's a story of how a nation built its football foundation from zero, about the people who sacrificed their youth to bring pride to the nation. Croatia that year no one believed, except me and a few drinking buddies. I remember in 2026, when Croatia reached the World Cup final, I recorded fan reactions at 12 beer bars in Guangzhou. They supported Croatia because "a small team with a big heart." And I see the same in Vietnam. The Vietnamese team doesn't have expensive stars like the big teams, but they have something no team can buy: the hearts of their fans. 15 Zoom sessions during the pandemic taught me that football doesn't need a stadium, just people watching together. During the pandemic, when all stadiums were closed, I witnessed how Vietnamese fans kept their passion alive. They organized viewing parties via Zoom, cheering together, sharing joys and sorrows. This showed me that Vietnamese football is not just a sport, but an integral part of the nation's culture. Young people look at transfermarkt, I look at the players' eyes when they step onto the pitch. When analyzing Vietnamese football, I don't just look at statistics. I look at how young players like Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Cong Phuong, or Doan Van Hau perform on the field. I look at how they face pressure, how they overcome failure, and how they stand up after each fall. That is the true measure of a football nation. Rumors are wind, but I'm old enough to know where the wind blows from. In this transfer window, there are many rumors about Vietnamese players going abroad. But I don't care about those rumors. I care about whether young players have enough courage to face harsher football environments abroad. I care about whether they can maintain the identity of Vietnamese football when facing more developed football nations. Esport doesn't need a stadium; it already has one, in the hearts of the kids. I also notice the development of e-football in Vietnam. This is a new trend, a new approach to the round ball. And I believe this will be an important part of Vietnamese football's future. The kids playing FIFA on computers today could become professional players in the future. Goc Nong is not just the name of a podcast, it's how I stand before the storm. When I launched the "Goc Nong" podcast in Guangzhou in 2026, I shocked everyone by declaring that Guangzhou Evergrande needed to remove 7 players over 30 from the starting lineup. Local television called me a "traitor," but I cited data: the team ran 12km less than opponents, made 45 wrong passes. Podcast listenership increased 40% overnight. And I apply the same approach when analyzing Vietnamese football. The storm may stop, the ball may roll slowly, but we are still here. Vietnamese football is at an important crossroads. With the development of youth academies, with the investment of sponsors, and with the passionate support of fans, I believe the future of Vietnamese football will be even brighter. But the most important thing is to maintain identity, keep the hearts of fans, and never forget that football is not just about winning, but about passion, dedication, and love for the round ball. When I look at Vietnamese football, I see a promising future. I see talented young players, dedicated coaches, and passionate fans. I see a football nation developing every day, not just professionally but also culturally. And I believe that with perseverance and passion, Vietnamese football will go even further on the world football map. Look at what has been achieved, and dream about what can be achieved. Because in football, as in life, there are no limits for those who dare to dream and dare to give their all. And I, a 64-year-old man with gray hair, still believe that the fire of Vietnamese football will continue to burn, not just in the hearts of fans, but in the hearts of every Vietnamese person.