Australian Embassy hosts reception to celebrate Vietnam Women’s National Team ahead of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026
On January 22 in Hanoi, the Australian Embassy hosted a formal and warm reception for the Vietnam Women’s National Football Team ahead of their departure to Australia to compete in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, scheduled to take place from March 1 to 21, 2026.
26/01/2026 11:09:38
Attending the event were Ms. Renée Deschamps, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of Australia in Vietnam; Ms. Nguyễn Phương Hòa, Director General of the Department of International Cooperation (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism); and Mr. Nguyễn Hồng Minh, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Sports Administration (Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism).
Representing the Vietnam Football Federation at the reception were Mr. Nguyễn Xuân Vũ, Vice President; Mr. Nguyễn Quốc Hội, Standing Member of the VFF Executive Committee; and Mr. Nguyễn Văn Phú, General Secretary of the Vietnam Football Federation, along with players and coaching staff of the Vietnam Women’s National Team, as well as representatives of partners, media agencies and countries whose teams will participate in the tournament.
Speaking at the event, Ms. Renée Deschamps congratulated the Vietnam Women’s National Team on securing qualification for the finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, while emphasizing the role of sport as a bridge connecting people and enhancing cooperation between Australia and Vietnam.
She affirmed that Australia is proud to welcome the Vietnam Women’s National Team to compete on home soil at the continent’s premier tournament, and expressed her confidence in the team’s determination, unity and the strong development of Vietnamese women’s football in the region.
Speaking at the reception, Mr. Nguyễn Hồng Minh, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Sports Administration, expressed his sincere appreciation to the Australian Embassy in Vietnam for hosting the meaningful gathering, which reflects its attention to and support for women’s football as well as Vietnamese sport. He emphasized that the Vietnam Women’s National Team’s participation in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup finals is a source of joy and pride for Vietnamese sport as a whole, noting that the players not only compete for the national colors but also carry with them the image, spirit and aspiration of Vietnamese sport on the international stage.
He also highly valued the increasingly strong cooperation between Vietnam and Australia, particularly acknowledging the close attention and active support from Australian organizations during the training and competition of Vietnamese national sports teams in Australia. In this regard, he expressed his hope that cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of sport, will continue to be strengthened and further expanded in the time ahead.
On behalf of the Vietnam Football Federation, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Phú, General Secretary of the VFF, expressed his sincere gratitude to the Australian Embassy for the warm, thoughtful and goodwill reception extended to the Vietnam Women’s National Team ahead of the finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.
Mr. Nguyễn Văn Phú emphasized that at major milestones of Vietnamese women’s football, from the team’s historic first appearance at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 to its journey toward the finals of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, the Vietnam Women’s National Team has consistently received valuable attention, encouragement and companionship from the Australian Government and the Australian Embassy. This support has served as a significant source of motivation, reinforcing the team’s confidence and aspiration to continue striving on the continental stage.
The event also contributed to further strengthening cooperation and friendship between Vietnam and Australia in the fields of sport and people-to-people exchanges, based on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.
A highlight of the programme was the ceremonial toast shared by representatives of the team and invited guests, symbolizing the Vietnam Women’s National Team’s readiness ahead of one of the most important tournaments in Asian women’s football. The atmosphere of the reception was further enlivened by interactive activities and quizzes focusing on the culture and people of Australia and Vietnam, as well as the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026.
Hosted by Australia, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 will feature 12 of the continent’s top women’s national teams, competing in the cities of Perth, Gold Coast and Sydney, contributing to the continued development of women’s football and women’s sport across the region.
