Brick mark
Coach Hoang Van Phuc was appointed to lead the Vietnamese women's team in the context of the team entering a transitional period after a long period of success under Mr. Mai Duc Chung.
In the history of Vietnamese football, it is not uncommon for coaches who used to play in men's football to switch to leading the women's national team. However, the case of coach Hoang Van Phuc is quite special as he became the first person to officially lead both men's and women's national teams.
Starting out as a center-back, Mr. Phuc used to play for The Cong, Military Region 3 and Vietnam Railways before retiring in 1996. After that, he switched to coaching, owning an AFC Pro license and working at many levels, from club level, youth training to national team.
At the club level, he used to coach Hanoi ACB, Quang Nam and Saigon FC clubs. The most outstanding achievement is the V.League 2017 championship with Quang Nam. At the national team level, he helped U16 Vietnam win the Southeast Asian championship, led U19 Vietnam to the Asian finals and once led the national team. Although the time in the men's team did not last long, the accumulated experience at many levels is an important basis for him to continue to take on the role of captain of the national women's team.
Before becoming head coach, from September 2024, Mr. Hoang Van Phuc participated in the coaching staff of the Vietnamese women's team as a professional assistant.
Inheritance problem
The biggest pressure on coach Hoang Van Phuc is not getting used to the environment but maintaining the previous achievements. Under Mr. Mai Duc Chung, the Vietnamese women's team won many titles, including 6 SEA Games Gold Medals and especially a spot to participate in the 2023 World Cup.
On the day of receiving the assignment, coach Hoang Van Phuc admitted the pressure: "Mr. Mai Duc Chung is a legend of Vietnamese women's football, having gone through a long process of leading the team and achieving many achievements, including a ticket to the World Cup. Such an legacy is really very stressful, but our profession is like that. I have been familiar with the women's team for 1.5 years, Mr. Chung has always enthusiastically guided me, I have become familiar with and learned many things about women's football. I myself have also played in men's football for many years from youth teams and clubs levels. I am confident to take over the women's team".
The time working as an assistant helps coach Hoang Van Phuc understand the force from expertise to daily life, limiting disruption when transitioning. The Vietnamese women's national team is also in a transitional phase, when many pillars have passed the peak, and the next generation needs more time.
Female players have great will, perseverance, and a spirit of progress. I hope I will have patience and convey reasonably. I also believe that if there is good analysis of opponents and good preparation for the tournament, there will be good results. During the time participating in coaching the Vietnamese Women's Team from September 2024 to now, I was fortunate to work and be associated with the players at SEA Games 33, the Asian finals. This helps me better understand the professional capacity, bravery, fighting spirit and unique identity of the Vietnamese Women's Team" - Mr. Phuc said.
In the coming time, coach Hoang Van Phuc and the coaching staff aim to build the team in a stable direction, promote the experience of key players and expand opportunities for young players to develop. At the same time, he will focus on building a united team, disciplined and modern playing style.
From now until the end of 2026, the Vietnamese women's team will focus on preparing for ASIAD 20 taking place in Japan in September. In 2027, the whole team aims for SEA Games 34 in Malaysia with the goal of regaining the Gold Medal, while improving competitiveness in the Asian and world arenas.
This is considered a pivotal period for the Vietnamese Women's National Team. Coach Hoang Van Phuc and his team must both maintain their position and prepare for a new cycle of the country's women's football.
