Hoang Van Phuc has been named the new head coach of the Vietnam women's national football team. His contract with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) extends until the conclusion of SEA Games 34 in September 2027. The team's immediate focus in 2026 will be preparations for ASIAD 20, scheduled for September in Japan. An official announcement ceremony will take place tomorrow morning at VFF headquarters.

Hoang Van Phuc (second from right) serving as an assistant to Mai Duc Chung for the Vietnam women's national team during preparations for the Asian Cup 2026 in February 2026. Photo: VFF

Phuc steps into the role following a highly successful 10-year tenure by Mai Duc Chung, which saw the team achieve historic milestones. Under Chung, the team made its first-ever appearance at the World Cup 2023, secured the 2019 Southeast Asian Championship title, and won four SEA Games gold medals in 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2023. Despite multiple partings and reunions, Chung's final tournament was the Asian Cup 2026, where the team exited in the group stage, signaling the end of an era.

Born in 1964, Hoang Van Phuc had a notable playing career as a center-back for clubs like The Cong, Quan khu 3, and Duong sat Viet Nam. After retiring in 1996, he transitioned into coaching, acquiring an AFC Pro license. His club coaching career included stints with Hanoi ACB, Quang Nam, and Saigon FC, all of which have since dissolved. A highlight of his club management was leading Quang Nam to the V-League 2017 championship.

Phuc's experience with national teams dates back to 2008, when he guided the U16 team to the Southeast Asian Championship title. He later led the U19 team to the U19 Asian Championship finals in 2012. In May 2013, he signed a two-year contract with VFF to manage both the senior national team and the U23 squad. However, his tenure ended with a resignation after the U23 team's group stage elimination at the SEA Games 2013 in Myanmar. More recently, Phuc worked at the Hanoi youth football training center from 2021, also serving as technical director and interim coach for Hanoi FC. From 2024, he joined the women's national team as an assistant to Mai Duc Chung, a move widely seen as preparation for this leadership transition.

Hoang Van Phuc becomes the 11th individual, including interim coaches, to lead the Vietnam women's national team. Previous domestic coaches include Tran Thanh Ngu, Nguyen Kim Thanh, Mai Duc Chung, Tran Ngoc Thai Tuan, Ngo Le Bang, and Vu Ba Dong. Foreign coaches who have held the position are Rainer Willfeld (Germany), Steve Darby (England), Tran Van Phat (China), and Takashi Norimatsu (Japan). The VFF had explored options for high-caliber foreign coaches, particularly from Japan, but financial constraints proved to be the primary obstacle.

Hieu Luong