Vietnam Women’s Football Development Strategy: The Aspiration to Rise
On the morning of June 6 in Hanoi, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) held the launch ceremony for the Vietnam Women’s Football Development Strategy for the 2024–2027 period, as part of the women’s football development project funded by UEFA and the AFC.
09/06/2025 11:17:24
Attending the ceremony were Ms. Lê Thị Hoàng Yến – Deputy Director General of the Sports Authority of Vietnam; Ms. Gayathry Mohan – FIFA Member Associations Regional Lead for Southeast Asia; Mr. Simon Toselli – FIFA Women’s Football Expert; Mr. Amir Assokan Abdullah – AFC Special Project Officer; Mr. Winston Lee – General Secretary of the ASEAN Football Federation; Mr. Trần Quốc Tuấn – President of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF); Mr. Nguyễn Trung Kiên and Mr. Nguyễn Xuân Vũ – Vice Presidents of VFF; along with members of the Executive Committee, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Phú – General Secretary of VFF; Ms. Nguyễn Thanh Hà – Deputy General Secretary of VFF and Head of the UEFA/AFC Women’s Football Project; representatives from VFF’s functional departments, the Vietnam Youth Football Training Center, Bongdaplus, the FFAV community football project, and national team players such as Huỳnh Như, Phạm Hải Yến, as well as Head Coach Mai Đức Chung.
Since joining international women’s football in 1997, Vietnam’s women’s football has achieved many proud accomplishments: winning the SEA Games championship 8 times, reaching the quarterfinals of the 2018 Asian Games (ASIAD), participating in the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, and making its historic debut at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023. Domestic women’s and youth tournaments have grown significantly, providing a solid foundation for the development system.
However, in order to move toward a professional and sustainable football landscape, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) recognizes the need for a long-term strategy. Speaking at the ceremony, VFF President Trần Quốc Tuấn emphasized that starting in 2024, the VFF is officially launching a new development journey for women’s football. This is not only a strategic step forward but also a strong affirmation of the Federation’s commitment to improving quality, building a comprehensive ecosystem, and striving to reach the highest levels of the global game.
The Vietnam Women’s Football Development Strategy outlines specific goals: to comprehensively develop and professionalize women’s football, from domestic competitions and clubs to the national team; to inspire younger generations and spark passion for women’s football; to focus on training female coaches and referees, improving technical quality; to build a strong women’s football brand, enhance media presence, and attract sponsorship; and to expand school-based football programs, creating opportunities for girls to access the sport.
This strategy is concretized through a system of key initiatives: developing competitive leagues, strengthening club capacity, training players, building a professional national team environment, applying sports science, and enhancing governance and management capabilities. At the same time, school football programs will be expanded to promote equal playing opportunities for girls.
Representatives from international organizations highly appreciated the direction set by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). Mr. Simon Toselli (FIFA) shared: “The VFF has great potential and a clear vision. This strategy will open up many opportunities for girls and women—not only in football but also in life.”
Mr. Amir Assokan Abdullah (AFC) expressed his confidence: “With persistent efforts and a strategic vision, Vietnam’s women’s football will become a model of development for football federations in the region.”
The launch of the Vietnam Women’s Football Development Strategy marks a significant milestone, laying the foundation for a bright future where women’s football is not only a source of national pride, but also a powerful voice for equality, aspiration, and progress.
Drawing from her real-life experience, national team player Huỳnh Như—currently playing in Portugal—shared:
“My journey in Portugal is something I’ll never forget. Despite my small stature, I never felt insecure. I’ve always strived to prove myself and promote the image of Vietnamese women’s football internationally. I had to actively learn, adapt, even cook and share Vietnamese culture with international friends. All of that has made me feel happier and stronger.”
The launch of the Vietnam Women’s Football Development Strategy is a significant milestone, laying the groundwork for a bright future where women’s football is not only a source of national pride but also a powerful voice for equality, aspiration, and advancement.
