"If players aspire to and can meet the requirements of advanced football leagues like those in Japan or Europe, we will create favorable conditions," stated Colonel Tran Van Hung on the afternoon of 31/1. He emphasized that "competing in major football leagues allows players to contribute more effectively to Vietnamese football and the national team."

Cong An Ha Noi FC (CAHN) Vice Chairman Tran Van Hung made the statement following a ceremony honoring Nguyen Dinh Bac, Pham Minh Phuc, and Pham Ly Duc. This trio recently earned a gold medal with Vietnam at SEA Games 33 and a bronze medal at the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026. Dinh Bac, in particular, was a key inspiration for the team during this period. Since the AFF U23 Championship 2025, the forward, born in 2004, has scored 10 goals and assisted 6 of the team's 31 goals across three official tournaments and one qualifying round.

Cong An Ha Noi forward Nguyen Dinh Bac (right) celebrates the goal that sealed a 3-2 victory over Nam Dinh in the 2024-2025 National Super Cup match at Thien Truong Stadium, Ninh Binh, on 9/8/2025. *Photo: Hieu Luong*

Dinh Bac himself expressed a desire to play abroad if the opportunity arises, with Japan as a potential destination. Coach Kim Sang-sik echoed this sentiment, advising his player not to be complacent with his current position. "He must strive for higher goals and challenge himself in a league superior to the V-League, such as in Europe, Japan, or South Korea," remarked the coach, born in 1976.

Dinh Bac joined CAHN in mid-2024, scoring 5 goals in 38 matches. Before this, the player from Nghe An developed through the Quang Nam youth academy, joining their first team in 2023. That same year, he secured the championship, the Best Player award, and the top scorer title in the National First Division League.

CAHN has a history of domestically trained players competing abroad, including Nguyen Quang Hai and Doan Van Hau. Hai played for Pau FC in France's second division – Ligue 2 – during the 2022-2023 season. Hau, meanwhile, played for SC Heerenveen in the Dutch national league during the 2019-2020 season.

Beyond supporting players going abroad, Vice Chairman Hung highlighted that the success of Vietnam U23 further motivates CAHN's continued investment in youth development. The club is currently collaborating with SK Slavia Prague from the Czech Republic. Additionally, clubs such as Sporting Lisbon (Portugal) and Sanfrecce Hiroshima (Japan) are exploring partnerships for youth football development with CAHN.

Domestically, CAHN maintains a cooperation regulation with the Ha Noi Department of Culture and Sports to jointly scout and train talent. On 30/1, CAHN also formalized a strategic partnership with Nutifood Football Academy for youth training initiatives in Ha Noi.

CAHN is now preparing for the "first leg final" of the V-League 2025-2026 against Ninh Binh at Hang Day Stadium tomorrow, 1/2. CAHN currently ranks second in the league with 26 points, trailing their opponent by one point, having played one fewer match.

Coach Mano Polking's team is also looking ahead to the AFC Champions League Two round of 1/8 against Singapore's Tampines Rovers on 11/2 and 18/2. The team has already exited the National Cup in the round of 1/8 and the ASEAN Club Championship at the group stage.