Vietnam Women’s National Football Team is set for a busy 2025, with three major competitions on the horizon: the AFF Women’s Championship, the 33rd SEA Games, and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers. After a relatively quiet 2024, the team, under Coach Mai Duc Chung, will enter an intense schedule filled with significant challenges and opportunities.
Preparing for Regional Rivals at the AFF Women’s Championship
At the AFF Women’s Championship, Vietnam will face not only traditional rivals like Thailand but also rapidly improving teams across Southeast Asia. The 2022 tournament highlighted this growing competition when Vietnam was eliminated in the semifinals by hosts and eventual champions, the Philippines. Indonesia also poses a potential threat as their women’s team follows the men’s lead in naturalizing players to strengthen their squad.
Defending the Gold at SEA Games 33
The SEA Games 33 will bring another opportunity for Vietnam to defend their gold medal. Having won the title four consecutive times, the team will face fierce competition from the likes of Thailand, the Philippines, and Indonesia. Maintaining their dominance in the region will require consistent performances and tactical adaptability.
Navigating the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers
The AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers are expected to be a relatively easier task for Vietnam due to their high FIFA ranking. The team is projected to avoid stronger opponents in the early rounds, making group stage dominance and qualification for the final tournament a feasible goal.
A Year of Preparation in 2024
While 2024 lacked major official competitions, it was an essential year of preparation for the Vietnamese women’s team. Domestic tournaments, including the National Championship and National Cup, provided valuable match experience. Additionally, Ho Chi Minh City-based players gained exposure at the continental level by participating in the AFC Women’s Champions League 2024/2025.
Coach Mai Duc Chung capitalized on this period by organizing multiple training camps, particularly focusing on integrating younger players into the squad. These camps aimed to build a strong foundation for the future while ensuring the current team remains competitive.
Valuable International Exposure
In September 2024, the team embarked on a training tour in the Czech Republic, where they played three matches against formidable European opponents: RB Leipzig (Germany), FK Pardubice, and Viktoria Plzen (Czech Republic). The tour yielded encouraging results and significant progress in both physical fitness and tactical execution.
Reflecting on the team’s performance, Coach Mai Duc Chung remarked, “Our players have learned to utilize their strengths as Vietnamese players, such as quick passing and ground play, to compete effectively against taller and stronger opponents. This progress is what pleases me the most.”
Later in 2024, the team participated in the Yongchuan Chongqing International Tournament in China, finishing as runners-up. Matches against Uzbekistan and China offered valuable insights and experiences, further preparing the squad for the challenges of 2025.
Looking Ahead to a Promising 2025
With a packed schedule in 2025, the Vietnam Women’s National Team is well-positioned to make its mark on both regional and continental stages. The combination of rigorous preparation, valuable international exposure, and strategic integration of young talent ensures the team is ready to tackle the year’s challenges head-on. Fans eagerly await their performances as they strive for success and continued dominance in Southeast Asian football.
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