Village courtyard and small dream
Thanh Vinh village, Bac Trach commune, Quang Tri province has long been considered a land with a developed football movement. In this place, football is not only a sport but also a familiar community activity, a village-based story, a joy and also the aspiration to change lives of many generations of village boys.
Born in 2003, Nguyen Phi Hoang (currently participating in the 2026 AFC U23 Championship finals) grew up in that football atmosphere. When many children of his age were still fast asleep, the boy woke up from dawn, waving his father to be taken to the schoolyard to practice football.
Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Phuong, Hoang's father, still clearly remembers the cold mornings, drizzling rain, when he advised his son to stop practicing, but the boy resolutely shook his head.
In the family, Phi Hoang is not alone. His older brother Nguyen Phi Hung also shares a love for football. The two brothers practiced together and encouraged each other from the early days of pursuing their football dream.
When Hoang was 9 years old, his family took him to Dong Hoi to apply for the PVF training center. Talent was soon discovered, the boy was recruited and started the years of studying away from home.
However, after 3 years, because his physique did not meet the requirements, Hoang was forced to return to his hometown. The cross-country trip seemed to close the dream, but the boy did not let go of the ball. Returning to the village, Hoang still silently practiced, persistently pursuing his passion.
Far from home, don't give up
The turning point came in 2013, when Hoang's mother, Ms. Nguyen Thi Huong, brought the two brothers Phi Hung and Phi Hoang to take the entrance exam at the SHB Da Nang training center. Both were admitted, opening a new path with many hopes but also many challenges.
Later, Phi Hung unfortunately suffered a serious injury, forced to put aside his football dream to study abroad. Phi Hoang continued to stay and stick to the path of professional football.
At that time, the family's economy fell into difficult circumstances. Mr. Phuong decided to go to work abroad in Germany to have money to raise his children to study and practice. To reassure Hoang, he lied that he only went to work far away in the country and would soon return to visit.
It was more than a decade later that Mr. Phuong had the opportunity to return. At that time, the boy of the past had grown up, old enough to understand and love his father more. In his hometown, all the burden of making a living fell on the shoulders of his mother. Ms. Huong both worked hard to earn a living and saved every penny to send to her child. Small packages of candy and milk boxes became a rope of love between the family and the training ground far away.
Phi Hoang is a quiet and taciturn person. Away from home to train, there were months when he could not go home, he only knew to bury himself in training. Every time he called home, he often ended up with tears because he missed his family, but never in Hoang's mind appeared the intention to give up.
Originating as a winger, Phi Hoang is highly appreciated for his speed, attacking support ability and flexibility. He can play well in the position of full-back or winger. At the 2026 AFC U23 Championship Finals, Phi Hoang was an important factor in helping U23 Vietnam reach the semi-finals, playing impressively against strong opponents.
The title of Best Young Player of the 2022 National Championship and the SEA Games 33 Gold Medal are recognition of that persistent journey. These days, the small house in Thanh Vinh village is more bustling as neighbors gather to watch each match.
For the family, the biggest wish is not the title, but that the son is always healthy, plays his best and continues to write his dream starting from early mornings in the village yard.
