20th Dedication Awards honor Vietnam U22 team and young player Dinh Bac
20/04/2026 10:32:54On the evening of April 15, the 20th Dedication Awards Ceremony was held at the Vietnam–Soviet Friendship Labour Cultural Palace under the theme “For a Glorious Vietnam.” The event was attended by Mr. Tran Thanh Lam, Member of the Party Central Committee and Deputy Head of the Central Commission for Propaganda and Mass Mobilization; Ms. Vu Viet Trang – Deputy Head of the Commission, Secretary of the Party Committee and General Director of the Vietnam News Agency; Mr. Phan Tam, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Mr. Nguyen Duc Loi – Standing Vice President of the Vietnam Journalists Association; Mr. Ito Naoki – Ambassador of Japan to Vietnam; journalist Nguyen Thien Thuat, Editor-in-Chief of Sports & Culture Newspaper and Head of the Organizing Committee of the 2026 Dedication Awards; along with artists, athletes and a large number of fans. Representing the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) were President Tran Quoc Tuan and General Secretary Nguyen Van Phu.
The Dedication Awards, organized by Sports & Culture Newspaper, aim to recognize and honor individuals and organizations whose music and sports activities have strong influence, inspire the public, and leave a lasting impression on both audiences and experts. The 20th edition in 2026 features 10 music categories and one Special International Award, in cooperation with the Music Awards Japan (MAJ). In the sports category, there are four awards, including two decided by the judging panel and two combining panel decisions with public voting.
Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) President Tran Quoc Tuan (far right) presents the “Sporting Achievement of the Year” award to Vietnam U22 team representative, head coach Kim Sang Sik.
At the ceremony, head coach Kim Sang Sik represented the Vietnam U22 team to receive the Dedication Sports Award in the category “Sporting Achievement of the Year.” This recognition reflects a successful year for the young squad, highlighted by their gold medal triumph at the 33rd SEA Games. At the tournament, Vietnam U22 demonstrated resilience, squad depth, and consistency to overcome strong opponents, thereby reaffirming football’s prominent role in the country’s sporting landscape. The achievement also underscores the effectiveness of Vietnam’s youth development pathway, providing a solid foundation for higher ambitions at regional and continental levels.
In the individual category, forward Nguyen Dinh Bac was honored with the “Young Athlete of the Year” award. This accolade is a well-deserved recognition of the remarkable progress and efforts made by the 2004-born player in recent times.
Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) General Secretary Nguyen Van Phu presents the “Young Athlete of the Year” award to player Nguyen Dinh Bac.
A major milestone in Nguyen Dinh Bac’s development journey was his outstanding performance at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup finals, where he scored four goals and provided two assists to claim the Top Scorer title. In an increasingly competitive environment, a young Vietnamese player asserting himself as the leading figure in attack at the continental level carries special significance.
Beyond a single tournament, Nguyen Dinh Bac maintained consistent form throughout the 2025–2026 period, contributing to a series of achievements such as the 2025 AFF U23 Championship title, the gold medal at the 33rd SEA Games, and a bronze medal at the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup, along with domestic honors. On an individual level, he has built an impressive collection of accolades, including the AFC U23 Asian Cup Top Scorer award, Best Player of the AFF U23 Championship, Vietnam Silver Ball 2025, and “Young Athlete of the Year” at the Victory Cup.
In addition to his on-field performances, Nguyen Dinh Bac has also made a positive impression off the pitch through community activities, from supporting people in his hometown to participating in charitable programs. This reflects not only his professional growth but also his sense of social responsibility—an important quality for a young player striving to establish himself.
