On February 17, renowned Vietnamese goalkeeper Dang Van Lam and his wife, bodybuilding coach Bui Thi Yen Xuan, celebrated the arrival of their first son. In a heartwarming social media post, Van Lam shared a series of joyful images capturing the newborn’s first moments, receiving an outpouring of congratulations from friends, colleagues, and football fans alike. Yen Xuan delivered the baby at American International Hospital (AIH) in Ho Chi Minh City, marking a significant and joyful milestone in the couple’s life.
At a time when Van Lam has been facing several professional challenges, including frequent club changes and shifting training locations, the birth of his son brings a refreshing personal victory. After the 2023-2024 season, the 31-year-old goalkeeper had agreed to join Thanh Nien TP HCM with a lucrative offer and the advantage of training close to his family. However, due to shared sponsorship ties between Thanh Nien and Ninh Binh—both linked to Bau Thuy—an exchange of players was arranged, requiring Van Lam and several teammates to move north for training. Initially, Ninh Binh’s training sessions were held at the PVF-CAND Youth Training Center in Van Giang, Hung Yen, prompting Van Lam to rent an apartment nearby. Later, the team fully relocated to Ninh Binh to continue their preparations.
Despite these professional relocations and the stress associated with constant changes, Yen Xuan has been a steadfast companion throughout. Even while continuing her career as a personal bodybuilding coach, she has diligently expanded her knowledge to maintain her health during pregnancy. In December 2024, Yen Xuan moved back to Ho Chi Minh City to better support the family, allowing her to care for both her husband and their growing household.
Van Lam’s dedication to both his career and family was evident on February 15, when he and Ninh Binh secured a 1-0 away win against Binh Phuoc in the ninth round of the 2024-2025 National Cup. While Yen Xuan followed the match live on her phone, she sent a warm message urging, “Come home to pick up your son, Dad.” After the match, Van Lam requested leave from the club and traveled from Binh Phuoc to Ho Chi Minh City to be with his wife, demonstrating that family always comes first.
Notably, Dang Van Lam is the first prominent Vietnamese footballer to welcome a child in the Year of the Snake 2025. Previously, during the Year of the Dragon 2024, forward Ha Duc Chinh, defender Doan Van Hau, and midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai each celebrated the birth of their first child. Born in 1993 and two years younger than his wife, Van Lam’s personal journey is interwoven with his impressive football career. Having met Yen Xuan in 2018, the couple has often been seen together at stadiums, cheering on his matches.
Van Lam’s career has been marked by numerous achievements and challenges. From playing in prominent Russian youth academies at Spartak Moskva and Dinamo Moskva, to stints with HAGL and Hoang Anh Attapeu in Laos, he has carved out a reputation as one of Vietnam’s top goalkeepers. His journey took him to Muangthong United in Thailand and later to Japan’s J-League with Cerezo Osaka, making him the first Vietnamese player to compete in that league. In August 2022, Van Lam returned to Vietnam with Binh Dinh, and from the 2024-2025 season, he moved to Ninh Binh with the goal of winning promotion to the V-League. Currently, his new team is undefeated in 10 matches and leads the First Division with eight straight wins, while also advancing to the National Cup quarterfinals.
The arrival of his son adds a new chapter to Dang Van Lam’s life—a beacon of hope and joy amidst the challenges of professional football. As he continues to battle for his place on the field, both his family and fans are united in their support, celebrating his personal triumph alongside his athletic achievements.
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