The young generation of Vietnamese football and the question of succession: Who will follow in the footsteps of Quang Hai and Tien Linh?

With top players like Quang Hai and Tien Linh currently at their best, Vietnamese football is confronted with the task of identifying successors to maintain its prowess and aim for significant targets like the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers and the 2027 Asian Cup.

Nguyen Dinh Bac – The new attacking spearhead

Among the rising young talents, Nguyen Dinh Bac (born 2004) has emerged as a standout with a series of impressive achievements. He scored 8 goals and provided 7 assists in 12 matches during the 2023 V.League 2 season, playing a major role in helping Quang Nam win the championship and secure promotion to V.League 1, and became the youngest player ever to be named “Best Player of V.League 2.” On the national team level, Dinh Bac scored twice at the 2025 AFF U23 Championship, contributing to Vietnam U23’s title and was honored as “Player of the Tournament.”

Additionally, he made history by scoring against Japan at the 2023 Asian Cup, becoming the youngest Vietnamese player to net a goal in the tournament. Despite facing setbacks due to injury and an internal suspension in 2024, Dinh Bac bounced back, showing energy and creativity at the 2025 AFF U23 Championship. Former Vietnam national team coach Henrique Calisto once praised Dinh Bac, comparing him to striker Le Cong Vinh. In an interview with Tuoi Tre Online, Calisto shared:“I can recognize the faces of some current national team players. I really like the number 9, even though I don’t know his name. He looks very young. Watching him play reminds me of Le Cong Vinh, as he possesses the same qualities as my former student.”

In October 2023, Dinh Bac was called up to the Vietnamese national team and debuted on October 10 in a 0-2 loss to China, becoming the first player born in 2004 to represent the national team. On November 16, he scored his first senior international goal in a 2-0 win over the Philippines during the 2026 World Cup Qualifiers. In January 2024, he participated in the 2023 Asian Cup as the youngest member of the squad. On January 14, he netted his first goal for Vietnam in the tournament, though the team lost 2-4 to Japan. Currently, Nguyen Dinh Bac plays for Cong An Ha Noi FC in V.League 1 and is a key figure for both the U23 and senior national teams, standing out at both club and international levels.

Pham Ly Duc (born 2003, Cong An Ha Noi)

Center-back Pham Ly Duc, born on February 14, 2003, in Tay Ninh, stands at 1.82m and is one of the brightest young talents in Vietnamese football. He developed at the Nutifood JMG Academy, previously played for HAGL before joining Cong An Ha Noi FC. On July 31, Cong An Ha Noi officially announced his arrival after his departure from HAGL, marking a new chapter in his career with the capital’s team.

Moreover, before returning to his club to prepare for the 2025/26 V.League season, Pham Ly Duc became a sensation at HAGL during 2024/25, making 20 appearances, scoring 3 goals, and providing 1 assist. He was also named in the 23-man squad for the 2025 AFF U23 Championship in Indonesia, where he scored the opening goal in a 2-1 win over U23 Cambodia, despite almost missing the tournament due to an ankle injury.

In March 2025, Ly Duc received his first call-up to the Vietnamese national team for the AFC Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers against Laos. Currently, detailed information about his appearances for the national team is limited. Since he was only called up in March 2025, he has yet to have many opportunities to play or make a significant impact in official matches.

Le Nguyen Hoang – A rising star of Vietnamese football

Le Nguyen Hoang (born February 14, 2005) is a talented center-back in Vietnamese football, currently playing for Song Lam Nghe An in V.League 1 and the U23 national team. Having come through the renowned Song Lam Nghe An youth system, he was promoted to the first team for the 2023/24 V.League season and quickly made a name for himself with impressive performances.

At the 2024 AFC U23 Championship, despite being only 19 years old, Le Nguyen Hoang made a strong impression with his excellent defensive skills. He achieved remarkable duel success rates of 83% and 88.9% in matches against U23 Kuwait and Malaysia, respectively. His total number of defensive actions (including tackles, clearances, blocks, and interceptions) reached 12, surpassing other center-backs in the squad. Nicknamed “Que Ngoc Hai 2.0,” Le Nguyen Hoang is known for his composure, sharp reading of the game, and authoritative leadership at the back. Besides his defensive solidity, he stands out for his tactical awareness and precise passing, playing a key role in building attacks from the back. “Le Nguyen Hoang plays with great maturity. Compared to Tran Dinh Trong or Que Ngoc Hai at the same age, he is arguably a step ahead,”commented a former assistant to coach Troussier at both U23 and the senior Vietnamese national team.

He has also played and featured at youth and U23 levels. For example, in March 2022, Nguyen Hoang was selected alongside 18 other U17 Vietnamese players for training in Germany. In February 2023, he joined the U20 national team for the 2023 AFC U20 Championship. A few months later, he was called up to the U23 squad for the 2023 AFF U23 Championship, appearing in all four matches as Vietnam clinched the title.

Challenges in the transition process

Despite their great potential and being seen as promising prospects for Vietnamese football, these young players still face numerous challenges in the generational transition. Regular playing time in V.League and international competitions offers valuable opportunities to gain experience, improve skills, and enhance tactical understanding. However, competing with more experienced seniors within the same squad is no small feat.

Coaching staff play a critical role in shaping the development path for young talents. A well-balanced strategy that blends youth with experience can help prevent them from being overshadowed in a fiercely competitive environment, while also maximizing their inherent potential. In addition, standardizing technical skills, enhancing the ability to perform under pressure, and building strong mental resilience are decisive factors for the sustainable growth of this new generation of players.

Expectations for the future

Names like Nguyen Dinh Bac, Pham Ly Duc, and Le Nguyen Hoang are highly anticipated by experts and fans alike to become the mainstays of the Vietnamese national team in the near future. If given opportunities at the right time and developed with a clear direction, they are fully capable of continuing the success of previous generations such as Quang Hai and Tien Linh. They may even elevate Vietnamese football to new heights in Southeast Asia and across the continent.

This is not just a story of talent; it also reflects the strategic vision of clubs and the Vietnam Football Federation in building a solid foundation for the future. The younger generation is not only expected to maintain the national team’s status, but also serves as a key factor in raising Vietnamese football’s profile on the continental stage. The fusion of experience, skill, and passion will create a squad ready to compete and leave a strong impression in upcoming major tournaments.