Hanoi, 24 July 2026 – Vietnam national team arrived back in Hanoi on July 14, concluding a nearly two-week training camp in Incheon, South Korea. The overseas trip marked a crucial phase in coach Kim Sang Sik’s preparations as the defending champions gear up for the 2026 ASEAN Championship.
During their stay in Incheon, Vietnam trained at modern facilities and tested themselves against increasingly stronger opposition in three friendly matches. The Golden Star Warriors faced K3 League side Siheung FC, K2 League outfit Yongin FC, and finally K League 1 club Gangwon FC. The series of matches allowed the coaching staff to closely assess individual performances, experiment with different tactical setups, and refine the squad ahead of the regional tournament.
Vietnam wrapped up the camp on a high note by securing a 2-1 victory over Gangwon FC, the strongest opponent they encountered during the trip. Against top-flight Korean opposition, Kim Sang Sik’s players displayed noticeable progress in both their tactical execution and overall team cohesion. Throughout the training camp, the South Korean head coach also rotated his squad extensively, giving nearly every player valuable playing time while increasing competition for places ahead of the ASEAN Championship.
There was, however, one personnel setback. Defender Le Ngoc Bao was released from the squad and returned to his club to continue recovering from injury after failing to regain full fitness. Before his departure, Kim Sang Sik personally encouraged the defender to remain patient with his rehabilitation and expressed hope that he would be ready to rejoin the national team during the next international gathering.
Following their return to Vietnam, the team will enter the final stage of preparations before traveling to Thai Nguyen on July 17. One day later, Vietnam will take on Myanmar in an international friendly, a key dress rehearsal that will help the coaching staff finalize the squad and make last-minute tactical adjustments before the tournament begins.
According to the schedule, Vietnam will depart for Thailand on the morning of July 20 to defend their ASEAN Championship title. Kim Sang Sik’s men will open their campaign against Timor-Leste at Chonburi Stadium on July 24, aiming to begin their title defense with a positive result and take the first step toward retaining Southeast Asia’s biggest football crown.
VSN/RPT
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