Hanoi, 10 November 2025 – Early this morning, a group of 12 players from U23 Vietnam, along with the coaching staff, departed from Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport to Chengdu, China, to participate in the Panda Cup 2025 — a key warm-up tournament before the SEA Games 33.
At 5:30 AM on November 10, more than ten players from U23 Vietnam, accompanied by the coaching staff, officially set off from Noi Bai International Airport for Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China, where they will compete in the Panda Cup 2025 — an important preparatory event for the SEA Games 33.
The traveling group includes goalkeeper Cao Van Binh, defenders Vo Anh Quan, Nguyen Hieu Minh, Dang Tuan Phong, Nguyen Duc Anh, Nguyen Nhat Minh; midfielders Nguyen Xuan Bac, Khuat Van Khang, Nguyen Cong Phuong, Nguyen Phi Hoang; and forwards Nguyen Thanh Nhan and Bui Vi Hao.
According to the coaching staff, only 12 players traveled from Hanoi this morning because several others are still involved in V.League 1 Round 11 fixtures, particularly those playing for Ho Chi Minh FC, Hanoi Police FC, Nam Dinh FC, Hong Linh Ha Tinh, and Hanoi FC. These players will join the team later once their club duties conclude.
Head coach Kim Sang Sik will not accompany the U23 team to China, as he remains with the Vietnam national team to prepare for the upcoming Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers match against Laos on November 19. For this campaign, coach Dinh Hong Vinh will take charge of the U23 squad during their stint at the Panda Cup.
Meanwhile, another group of players — including Tran Trung Kien, Nguyen Tan, Le Van Thuan, Nguyen Thai Son, Nguyen Thai Quoc Cuong, Nguyen Ngoc My, and Nguyen Quoc Viet — are set to depart from Ho Chi Minh City today to meet up with the team in China.
Following that, once V.League 1 Round 11 concludes, the remaining players from Hanoi FC, Hanoi Police FC, and Hong Linh Ha Tinh — such as Pham Minh Phuc, Viktor Le, Nguyen Van Truong, Pham Ly Duc, Le Van Ha, Vo Anh Quan, and Nguyen Dinh Bac — will travel to Chengdu tomorrow to complete the full squad.
The Panda Cup 2025 features four participating U23 national teams — China, South Korea, Uzbekistan, and Vietnam. The tournament serves as a vital test for the young Vietnamese side, allowing the coaching staff to assess player form and tactical readiness ahead of the SEA Games 33 in Thailand this December.
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