Hanoi, 4 August, 2025 – Vietnamese football mourns the loss of referee Tran Dinh Thinh, who passed away early on August 4 at the age of 43, following a collapse during a mandatory fitness test for the 2025/2026 season.
During the endurance run at the Hanoi Indoor Athletics Arena on August 3, which required referees to complete 4 km in timed intervals, Thinh collapsed in the seventh lap. Medical teams on site immediately performed emergency procedures before transferring him to Bach Mai Hospital. Despite intensive care and continuous efforts to save him, doctors gave a poor prognosis. His wife was flown from Dong Nai to Hanoi, but tragically, Thinh passed away at around 2 a.m.
The sudden death of the 2025 Silver Whistle award winner shocked the Vietnamese referee community. Referee Tran Dinh Hoc, his nephew, expressed his grief on social media: “Today is the last time we walk together. You will no longer be here! Everyone is waiting for you to come home.” Former referee Vu Nguyen Vu, speaking from the United States, was deeply saddened: “Thinh was misunderstood by many as strict, but he was actually gentle, eager to learn, and courageous. We shared many matches and memories together. It’s heartbreaking to say goodbye this way.”
Born in 1982 in Dong Nai, Thinh was widely respected for his professionalism and fairness. He won the Bronze Whistle in 2024 and the Silver Whistle in 2025, and was recognized as a FIFA referee in 2019 and 2020. Aside from officiating, he also worked as a physical education teacher at a local secondary school.
VFF General Secretary Nguyen Van Phu described his passing as a great loss: “Thinh was professional, serious in his work, and beloved by all colleagues. His departure leaves an irreplaceable void. VFF will coordinate with VPF to organize a dignified and heartfelt funeral.”
At the time of the test, Northern Vietnam was experiencing extreme heat, with temperatures reaching 38°C and humidity around 80%. The test was scheduled at 5 a.m. to minimize heat impact, with four ambulances and medical teams on standby. Despite the precautions, the tragedy occurred.
The fitness test is a mandatory requirement for referees to qualify for assignments in the upcoming season. Out of 62 referees and assistant referees, 55 passed (88.7%).
This is not the first such tragedy in Vietnamese football. In 2018, assistant referee Duong Ngoc Tan also collapsed during a fitness test and passed away days later at the age of 37.
Tran Dinh Thinh’s sudden passing is a painful reminder of the physical demands and risks referees face behind the scenes. His dedication, professionalism, and contributions to Vietnamese football will be forever remembered.
Dang Long
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