In 2024, the Executive Board of the VFF (Vietnam Football Federation) continued to prioritize expanding international relations and enhancing its role within global football organizations.
The VFF effectively implemented its international cooperation and relations with support from regional, continental, and FIFA-affiliated football federations, while fostering close partnerships for mutual development with other national federations in Asia and the region.
As part of the Memorandum of Understanding between VFF and La Liga, the Vietnam Football Federation collaborated with La Liga to successfully organize a youth football seminar for youth coaches at Vietnamese clubs from January 10-12, 2024, in Hanoi. The event was highly praised by La Liga experts and received positive feedback from participants. This seminar marked the first activity within the framework of the VFF-La Liga partnership.
In 2024, VFF extended its cooperation agreement with the Japan Football Association (JFA) until 2027 on September 18, 2024. The agreement outlines specific goals and strategic development plans to strengthen ties and achieve future objectives. On a club level, representatives of Urawa Red Diamonds (Japan) held discussions with VFF leaders about future collaboration plans.
On June 13, 2024, Duong Nhuan Hung, Director of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of the Hong Kong SAR Government, visited the VFF headquarters to discuss enhancing cooperation between Vietnamese and Hong Kong football to promote mutual development.
As an active member with extensive experience in hosting significant regional and continental events, VFF successfully organized various events in 2024. These included the second round of the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifiers (March and June 2024), the 2024 International Futsal Tournament with teams from Vietnam, New Zealand, Morocco, and Iran, and key AFF-hosted events in Vietnam, such as the draw ceremonies for the 2024-2025 AFF Clubs Championship and the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup, and the AFF Council Meeting in May 2024. Other notable events included the 2024 LPBank Cup (featuring Russia and Thailand), the AFC U20 2025 qualifiers in Hai Phong, and a friendly match between Vietnam and India in Nam Dinh.
Regarding women’s football achievements, AFC announced Vietnam as one of eight national federations with a direct slot in the 2024 AFC Women’s Champions League (October 6-12, 2024). Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC represented Vietnam and advanced to the quarterfinals.
Additionally, VFF was among five Asian federations selected by UEFA to participate in the UEFA/AFC Women’s Football Development Project over three years. From November 6-8, a UEFA delegation visited Vietnam to implement the project. Earlier, in August and September 2024, AFC, UEFA, and VFF jointly organized workshops on grassroots football development, media promotion, national team advancement, and capacity building for women’s football in Vietnam.
VFF representatives also participated in FIFA and AFC technical workshops to enhance expertise and contribute to Vietnam’s football development.
With outstanding efforts and achievements in 2023-2024, VFF reaffirmed its role in regional and continental football while making significant contributions to the sport’s growth in Vietnam and internationally. VFF officials continued to demonstrate their capabilities, earning trust from FIFA, AFC, and AFF for managing tournaments and matches during the first nine months of 2024.
Notably, VFF leadership received key appointments in AFC’s organizational structure. VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan held roles including AFC Executive Committee Member, AFC Competitions Committee Chair (2023-2027), and AFF Competitions Chair (2022-2026). Vice President Tran Anh Tu served on the AFC Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee (2023-2027), while Deputy Secretary-General Nguyen Thanh Ha joined the AFC and AFF Women’s Football Committees. Other officials, such as Nguyen Van Phu (AFC Medical Committee) and Mai Anh Hoang (AFC Development Committee), also received AFC appointments.
Leveraging support from FIFA, AFC, and AFF and recognizing the importance of partnerships with other football federations, VFF aims to further enhance international cooperation in 2025 to achieve its football development strategy goals.
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