Vietnamese player delivers bad news, faces risk of long-term absence

Bui Vi Hao has encountered further misfortune as he tore a ligament in practice with Becamex HCMC, requiring the Vietnamese forward to have an operation and be sidelined for an extended period.

Bui Vi Hao has just suffered another major career blow after picking up a serious injury while training with Becamex HCMC in preparation for the 2026/27 season. The striker born in 2003 has been diagnosed with a torn ligament and will need to undergo surgery.

Notably, this is the second time Hao has experienced a ligament tear. Given the severity of the current issue, the 23-year-old forward will require a long period of treatment and recovery before he can even consider returning to the field.

The new injury is especially unfortunate because Hao had only recently returned to action after a long battle with physical problems. Previously, he suffered a fibula fracture and missed nearly eight months. After an extended recovery, the striker had just begun to regain his touch and even scored during the final stages of the past season.

Hao was once regarded as one of the most promising talents in Vietnamese football. He was also a member of the Vietnam national team that won the ASEAN Cup 2024. However, repeated injuries are now significantly disrupting the development of the 23-year-old player.

Hao's long-term absence also creates a staffing challenge for Becamex HCMC ahead of the new season. The club has already added Daniel Dos Anjos and naturalized striker Hoang Vu Samson to bolster the attack, but Hao's injury means the coaching staff still need to look for more options.

In that context, Becamex HCMC decided to bring back Ha Duc Chinh. The 29-year-old striker previously played for the team from Thu land during the 2024-2025 season before moving to Bac Ninh. His years of experience in the V-League and his past appearances for the Vietnam national team have raised hopes that he can share the attacking burden.

Coach Gerard Albadalejo has also taken time to discuss with Chinh and expects the striker from Phu Tho to rediscover his form within the new tactical system.

For Hao, the biggest priority right now will be the surgery and recovery process. Having just overcome a serious injury to return to the pitch, the 23-year-old forward now faces another difficult journey as he deals with a ligament injury for the second time.