The Vietnam national team, comprising about 40 members including players, coaching staff, and officials, will be based in Incheon from 2/7 to 14/7.

This trip aims to refresh the atmosphere and boost player morale before the ASEAN Cup. Additionally, it provides the entire team with a private space, free from external distractions.

Nguyen Hoang Duc (left) and Le Pham Thanh Long compete for the ball during a training session of the Vietnam national team in Gyeongju, South Korea on 24/11/2024. *Doan Huynh*

Head coach Kim Sang-sik has also planned three practice matches against local clubs. These matches will take place at the Incheon Munhak Sports Complex, where the Namdong training ground and the main Munhak stadium are adjacent.

Munhak Stadium has a seating capacity of 50,000 and is about 30 km from Incheon International Airport. It previously hosted group stage matches of the 2002 World Cup, including France's 0-2 loss to Denmark and Portugal's 0-1 defeat to South Korea. After the 2014 ASIAD, the stadium primarily hosts cultural events, concerts, and esports competitions. Namdong Stadium, meanwhile, traditionally hosts rugby matches.

South Korea has been a familiar training ground for Vietnam's national football teams over the past 10 years. The national team previously held two training camps before the AFF Cup (now ASEAN Cup): in Paju in 2018 under coach Park Hang-seo, and in Gyeongju in 2024 under coach Kim Sang-sik. At the U23 level, coach Nguyen Huu Thang's squad trained in Mokpo before the 2017 SEA Games. In late 2019, the team trained in Tongyeong, coach Park's hometown, ahead of the 2020 AFC U23 Championship finals.

During the 2024 training trip, the Vietnam national team played practice matches against K-League 3 team Ulsan Citizen, and the youth teams of two K-League 1 clubs: Daegu FC and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors.

The upcoming practice matches in Incheon will help coach Kim Sang-sik assess player quality before finalizing the squad for the ASEAN Cup 2026. Previously, coach Kim and the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) decided not to convene the team during the FIFA Days period from 1/6 to 9/6. This decision aims to allow domestic leagues to conclude earlier, providing the national team with a longer, uninterrupted training period.

The V-League will conclude on 7/6, and the National Cup final will take place on 14/6. Players selected for the national team will have about 10 days of rest after the season before gathering in Hanoi.

The ASEAN Cup 2026 runs from 24/7 to 26/8. Vietnam will participate as the defending champions. The team is in Group A and will play its opening match on 24/7, against the winner of the play-off between Timor Leste and Brunei. Subsequently, Vietnam will face Singapore at home on 31/7, Indonesia away on 3/8, and Cambodia at home on 7/8.

Group B includes Thailand, Malaysia, Philippines, Myanmar, and Laos.

Hieu Luong