Back to Where It All Began – My Long-Awaited Return to Vietnam’s V.League

It’s been twelve years since I last stepped onto Vietnamese soil with a camera in hand and a notebook full of football dreams. In 2013, I had the privilege of covering a V.League clash between Song Lam Nghe An and SHB Da Nang in the football-driven city of Vinh. That trip opened my eyes to the passion and rawness of Vietnamese football — a memory etched so deeply that I knew I had to return one day. That “one day” finally came in 2025.

 

This time, the opportunity to cover one of the league’s biggest sides, Cong An Hanoi (CAHN), came unexpectedly — and I jumped at it. Getting the chance to see stars like Nguyen Quang Hai, Quang Vinh (Jason Pendant), and one of our all-time favourites, Pham Thanh Luong, up close again was surreal. Adding to that was the thrill of seeing Mano Polking, a familiar name in Southeast Asian football, working from the dugout.

 

What made this return even more meaningful was the reunion with Pham Thanh Luong. During my last trip in 2013, he was the only Vietnamese player I truly knew, and I had the privilege of interviewing him then — never expecting that he would go on to become a four-time Vietnam Golden Ball winner, a record that still stands today. Twelve years later, I met him again at PVF (Promotion Fund of Vietnamese Football Talent Football Academy), and to my surprise, he still remembered me. Perhaps not by face, but maybe because a Singaporean media member interviewing him back then stood out. Regardless, it was a touching moment. Thanh Luong has always been one of my strongest Vietnamese football memories, and meeting him again, now serving as assistant coach at CAHN, reminded me why. Still as soft-spoken, humble, and grounded as ever — some things thankfully don’t change.

 

 

 

 

 

My last real experience of the V.League wasn’t just about matches — it was about the people, the place, and the systems supporting the game. Back then, I visited the then newly launched Vietnam Professional Football (VPF) Training Center, which I recently found out is no longer in use. This time, we were at the PVF Academy in Hưng Yên — and what a difference twelve years make. PVF’s world-class training centre features a total of six full-size pitches, combining both natural and artificial grass, and even includes a dedicated main stadium with a seating capacity of around 3,600. With its modern infrastructure and campus-like environment, PVF is in every sense a footballing factory built for the future. This is where Vietnam’s next generation of talent is being shaped. CAHN trains and resides within the PVF compound, and I was fortunate enough to watch their session and even conduct an exclusive interview with France-born Vietnamese international Quang Vinh — another personal highlight.

 

Hanoi, the city where I first set foot in 2007 during the AFC Asian Cup, has always held a special place in my heart. That year marked a historic moment in football — the 14th edition of the AFC Asian Cup was hosted jointly by four Southeast Asian countries: Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand. It was the first time in football history that more than two nations had come together to co-host a major continental tournament, and the only time such a format was used until UEFA Euro 2020. I was fortunate to be in Hanoi during that tournament, soaking in the energy and excitement as Vietnam took the global football spotlight. It was an unforgettable atmosphere that kickstarted my connection with Vietnamese football. In 2013, I returned for V.League coverage and a visit to the VPF. This third trip in 2025 felt like coming full circle. To truly relive the city’s soul, I chose to stay in the Old Quarters, where the heart of Hanoi beats the loudest. A huge shoutout to Babylon Premium Spa & Hotel for providing such a warm and comfortable stay — a true home away from home.

 

The match I was assigned to cover this time was CAHN vs Hai Phong FC at the iconic Hang Day Stadium. Alongside Vinh Stadium and My Dinh, this marked my third V.League venue. All these stadiums, coated in their signature yellow hue, bear the marks of time. Peeling paint, spiderwebbed corners, cracked walls, and weathered fencing — signs of wear that might seem like flaws, but to me, each imperfection tells a story. While stadiums in Japan’s J.League, China’s Chinese Super League, or even the UAE’s Arabian Gulf League boast modernity and shine, there’s something beautifully raw about Vietnamese stadiums. They are gritty, imperfect, but full of soul. I hope infrastructure here continues to improve, but I also hope the culture — the beating heart of Vietnamese football — remains untouched.

 

 

 

 

 

I must also say that the management team at Hang Day Stadium were incredibly kind and thoughtful. Just as the match kicked off and the skies were beginning to threaten rain, we were handed a local “dinner” — a traditional sticky rice wrapped in leaves, sprinkled with sesame seeds and paired with a slice of fish cake. It was my first time tasting this local delight. Admittedly, it was a little bland for my palate — it reminded me of our Chinese dumpling back home — but after being so engrossed in the game and caught off guard by the rain, that warm, humble meal really hit the spot. This gesture of hospitality reminded me of our experience earlier this year at the J.League, where Shimizu S-Pulse went out of their way to help pre-book a cab to bring us down from the mountain stadium to our hotel. These little acts of care speak volumes — and I have nothing but respect for how media is treated here.

 

Adding to the local flavour of the night, I travelled to and from the stadium on a motorbike — a true Hanoi experience! Anyone who’s been to Vietnam knows that motorbikes are the lifeblood of the city, and being part of that chaotic, buzzing convoy on matchday brought back memories of football nights in Indonesia. It was sweaty, slightly nerve-wracking, but unforgettable. This was football culture at its rawest and most authentic — and I was glad to be in the thick of it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

And just like how no trip is complete without a little surprise, Hanoi’s weather delivered a dramatic twist. The day was humid and sweltering — until it wasn’t. As I stood pitchside, camera in hand, the skies suddenly poured. It wasn’t a drizzle — it was a full-blown tropical downpour. What made it unforgettable was that the sun never left — the sky remained brilliantly lit. And then, as quickly as it came, the storm passed — leaving behind a perfect rainbow. It felt like nature’s own blessing on my return.

 

As for the football, the level of play remains impressive. CAHN, captained by the talismanic Quang Hai, showed why they’re among the league’s elite. While V.League may not yet match the fierce competitiveness of Indonesia’s Liga 1, it is still one of Southeast Asia’s top competitions. The 10,000-strong crowd, despite being partially thinned by the rain, brought their signature energy with drums and cymbals — creating a soundscape that reminded me of Vietnam’s traditional water puppet performances.

 

Being back in Vietnam, covering the V.League once more, filled my heart in ways I can’t describe. It was a long overdue journey, one that reconnected me with the roots of football storytelling in this part of the world. I left drenched in rain but soaked even more in gratitude.

 

Hopefully, it won’t take another decade before I find myself pitchside again in Vietnam. Until then, cảm ơn and hẹn gặp lại, V.League.