Overseas Vietnamese players could boost Vietnam women’s team competitiveness with successful naturalization

Hanoi, April 9, 2025 – Successful naturalization of overseas Vietnamese players could heighten competition within the Vietnam women’s national football team, especially with targets like the 2026 Asian Cup and SEA Games in sight. Ho Chi Minh City FC currently boasts Chelsea Le, a Vietnamese-American born in 2001. Standing at 1.65 meters, the attacking midfielder is a rare case—the only overseas Vietnamese player to return and play professionally in Vietnam.

After leaving Arizona State University, Chelsea Le trialed in Vietnam and earned a spot in Ho Chi Minh City FC’s first team under coach Doan Thi Kim Chi in 2023. That year, she shone in the National Women’s Championship and National Cup, cementing her role into 2024. Despite her Vietnamese father, Chelsea lacks Vietnamese citizenship. Ho Chi Minh City FC and the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) are pushing her naturalization, but the process remains incomplete.

Coach Kim Chi praised her: “Chelsea Le has strong skills. She’s young, fit, technical, and hungry to play. But to join the national team, she needs Vietnamese citizenship. We’re working to finalize her paperwork. If she gets it, I’m confident she’d be a great pick for the women’s team.” Chelsea’s flair—evident in her six goals and eight assists in 2023—could bolster Vietnam’s attack, currently led by Huynh Nhu.

Beyond Chelsea, other Vietnamese diaspora players thrive abroad, yet few aspire to represent Vietnam. Raised in professional setups with higher salaries, they find Vietnam’s modest incentives less enticing. Overseas stars like Tran Thi Hong Nhung (France) or Nguyen Thi Tuyet Ngan (Australia) prioritize club careers over national duty, highlighting a gap in appeal.

Still, the future holds promise if Vietnam streamlines naturalization, enhances transparency, and improves benefits. Former coach Mai Duc Chung said: “If an overseas Vietnamese player has the skill and desire to play for the national team, I’d welcome them—provided they have citizenship and commitment.” Chelsea Le’s case could set a precedent, bridging the diaspora and Vietnam’s ambitions. With Ho Chi Minh City FC’s 2025 National Cup win, her potential national team debut might signal a new era for women’s football here.