Big difference in the new season
In V.League 2024-2025, only 9 players of Vietnamese origin (Vietnamese overseas) are registered to compete by 7 clubs, including Dong A Thanh Hoa, Cong An Ha Noi, Hai Phong, Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Linh Ha Tinh and Nam Dinh.
This number is equivalent to the previous 2 seasons, showing that not many Vietnamese teams or overseas Vietnamese players are really interested in participating in the V.League playground.
However, that trend is gradually changing ahead of the 2025-2026 season, when the wave of testing and recruiting overseas Vietnamese players began to flourish over the past 2 months.
The Cong Viettel Club has opened the door to welcome players of Vietnamese origin, with the appearance of Kyle Colonna and Damian Vu Thanh in recent training sessions. Hanoi FC is also testing Li Teng Long - a striker with two Vietnamese - Chinese blood lines. Similarly, Ho Chi Minh City Police closely monitor Tomas Duong Thanh Tung before deciding whether to register this player for the new season or not.
In addition, Tony Pham - a player from Finland was present at Becamex HCMC for a trial period. SHB Da Nang is interested in Vadim Nguyen and Dang Thanh Tung. Meanwhile, Jessy Nguyen - a player of French origin is expected to join Hong Linh Ha Tinh.
Overseas Vietnamese players are becoming the focus of attention in the transfer market before the 2025-2026 season. Kevin Pham Ba has just extended his contract with Nam Dinh, while Hanoi Police are trying very hard to keep Nguyen Filip amid the interest of some foreign teams.
Notably, center back Adou Minh, one of two overseas Vietnamese in the typical squad of V.League 2024-2025, officially said goodbye to Hong Linh Ha Tinh one year before his contract to join Hanoi Police.
This could also be a stepping stone for him to realize his dream of naturalization, similar to his teammates Cao Pendant Quang Vinh and Nguyen Filip.
dare to think, dare to do
The 0-4 defeat of the Vietnamese team against Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers can be considered a catalyst for the return of overseas Vietnamese players. That defeat showed the inferiority between the local Vietnamese players when facing the quality " ma kia" squad on the Malaysian side.
After the shock in the Asian qualifiers, many views on finding and developing resources for players of Vietnamese origin were given. Notably, the national team department of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has also received many applications from overseas Vietnamese players who are eligible to wear the national team jersey.
Among them, Brandon Ly is a notable name. The 20-year-old player who was a member of Burnley (UK) has officially arrived in Vietnam. To get Brandon Ly's autograph, Hanoi Police had to give him good deals and a clear roadmap, enough to convince both him and his family.
The wave of overseas Vietnamese has not stopped. In the next few days, it is likely that a famous player of Vietnamese origin will join the highest tournament in Vietnam. If this deal is successful, Vietnamese football will witness a real revolution in the selection of talent from abroad.
The increasingly large presence of overseas Vietnamese players not only enhances the prestige of V.League in the international transfer market, but also opens up hope for improving the quality of national teams, from U23 to the national team when participating in regional and continental playgrounds.
