Chinese fans react as Dinh Bac becomes a target for Guangxi Hengchen club recruitment

Nguyen Dinh Bac has suddenly come under the radar of the Chinese club Guangxi Hengchen, triggering a wave of passionate discussions within the fan community about the talent and worth of the young U23 Vietnamese player.

Chinese football is abuzz with news that Nguyen Dinh Bac, the standout young star of Vietnam's U23 team at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, has attracted interest from a local club. According to Sohu, the most mentioned team is Guangxi Hengchen, a newcomer recently promoted to China League One.

On Chinese forums and social media, this news immediately sparked a variety of opinions from fans:

One fan commented: “He is still very young but his stats at the AFC U23 Championship are impressive. If the price is only 300,000 Euros, it’s a bargain for Guangxi Hengchen.”

Meanwhile, another supporter said: “Vietnamese players nowadays are different, with better technique and football intelligence. Dinh Bac could be the surprise signing of the season.”

Some remain skeptical, saying: “I support recruiting Dinh Bac, but China League One is not easy. The key is for the club to give him time to adapt.”

Another fan expressed: “Guangxi Hengchen is on the right track, investing in young Asian players instead of chasing expensive foreigners from Europe or South America.”

Sohu describes Dinh Bac as emerging as a new symbol for Vietnam’s young generation of players. At the 2026 AFC U23 Championship, the 2004-born striker played a leading role in attack, helping Vietnam’s U23 team make a mark by defeating South Korea’s U23 squad to secure third place. Individually, Dinh Bac scored 4 goals and provided 2 assists, earning the top scorer title, a feat that has drawn much praise from Chinese media for his long-term potential.

Notably, Guangxi Hengchen is compared to the “next Guangzhou Evergrande” due to its strong financial backing, ambitious goals, and rapid construction of its own stadium. According to Sohu, the club’s pursuit of Dinh Bac fits into a strategy of youth renewal at a reasonable cost. The estimated fee of around 300,000 euros is seen as a “smart investment,” reducing financial pressure while opening profit opportunities if the player excels in the new environment.

These reactions indicate Nguyen Dinh Bac’s growing appeal not only in Southeast Asia but also expanding into the Chinese football market.