No Tet holiday due to Asian schedule
On the evening of February 11, Hanoi Police Club won a resounding 4-0 victory over Tampines Rovers in the first leg of the 1/8 round of the AFC Champions League Two 2025-2026. This helped Quang Hai and his teammates put one foot in the quarter-finals of the tournament. However, to ensure a place in the top 8, the Police sector team added another favorable result in the second leg, when they had to play at Singapore's stadium on February 18 (ie, the 2nd day of the Binh Ngo Tet).
Based on the schedule and travel plan, athletes such as Quang Hai, Van Duc, Dinh Bac, Ly Duc, Minh Phuc... will not be able to celebrate Tet with their families in the first 3 days of the 2026 Lunar New Year (29th, 1st and 2nd of Binh Ngo Tet).
Currently, Hanoi Police still maintain training every afternoon. Therefore, taking advantage of the morning break or immediately after the match ends, some players with families in Hanoi and some neighboring provinces have quickly returned, buying Tet shopping with their wives and children...
Center-back Cao Pendant Quang Vinh took advantage of a few hours with his family to take New Year's photos at a studio near his house. Similarly, Quang Hai and Dinh Trong also returned home, playing with their children before returning to the military training cycle throughout the Lunar New Year.
Perhaps, for young players such as: Dinh Bac, Ly Duc, Minh Phuc or a group of overseas Vietnamese players including Nguyen Filip, Cao Pendant Quang Vinh, this is a rare time they do not celebrate New Year's Eve with their families. But for Quang Hai, Dinh Trong or Bui Hoang Viet Anh... the story of not being able to "watch the banh chung pot" during Tet has happened in the past.
After the match against Tampines Rovers at Hang Day Stadium on the evening of February 11, Quang Hai shared: "This is not the first time, but it is the 3rd time I have played away from home during Tet. There are many indescribable emotions when away from family at this time. Celebrating Tet in another country is also more special because of that. The team encourages each other when competing during this occasion, everyone will aim for the best results, as a New Year's greeting to everyone.
Quang Hai continued: "Hanoi Police Club always maintains focus to aim for the second leg. As I emphasized, the whole team continues to unite, fight for the colors of the flag and the desire to turn Tet days away from home into motivation, a memorable milestone with worthy results. That could be a smooth start to the new year, opening up a journey with more success for us. It would be great if reporters and the media accompanied the team on this occasion.
Many players eagerly welcome Tet
Unlike Hanoi Police Club, the vast majority of teams have "released camp" from February 12-13 to February 19 (left for about 7, 8 days). It is expected that in the afternoon of February 19 or from February 20 (equivalent to the 2nd and 3rd days of Lunar New Year), the cycle in the new year of Binh Ngo will return. With Hanoi Club, this team will play a friendly match with Bac Ninh on the morning of February 14, before letting players return home for Tet.
Coach Harry Kewell discussed with Vietnamese assistants about the custom of celebrating the traditional Tet. Initially, the Australian strategist scheduled the re-training of the entire Hanoi team on the morning of the 3rd day of Tet. However, comparing from the travel schedule as well as the unique lifestyle of Vietnamese people, he agreed to let his students gather again on the afternoon of the 3rd day.
According to research, most clubs conduct Tet bonuses based on the contribution level of players and corresponding financial capacity in each team. The average number ranges from a few million to tens of millions, thereby creating more motivation for each player before the Binh Ngo New Year.
A Da Nang player shared: "This year's Tet I went to the South to celebrate Tet with my family. Compared to some teammates, I have to travel quite far, but the rest time is enough for me to visit my family and celebrate the New Year together before returning to the team.
