Midfielder Nguyễn Thanh Bình of Thể Công – Viettel Club. — Photo courtesy of Bình.

The year 2024 promises to be a remarkable year for Vietnamese football, with a roster of outstanding players expected to shine. Among them are five talented male players who were born in the year of the Dragon (2000) and have already begun making waves in the sport. Let's take a closer look at these rising stars.

Midfielder Nguyễn Thanh Bình (Thể Công – Viettel Club)

Bình is a vital player for both Thể Công – Viettel Club and the U23 Vietnamese national team. His breakthrough moment came during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers when he not only scored Việt Nam's opening goal against Japan, but also showcased exceptional skills in fending off the Japanese team's formidable attacks. Bình's efforts played a pivotal role in securing a 1-1 draw.

Under the guidance of coach Phillipe Troussier, Bình has been consistently called up for national team duty, most recently participating in the 2023 Asian Cup. Given his young age, Bình has tremendous potential for further development and is expected to achieve more accolades in the future.

Midfielder Nguyễn Hai Long of Hà Nội FC. — Photo nguoinoitieng.tv

Midfielder Nguyễn Hai Long (Hà Nội FC)

Long gained attention with his impressive performance in the 2020 V.League 1, which led to his inclusion in the U22 team for the SEA Games 31 and the 2022 AFC U-23 Asian Cup qualification. Long's passion for football began in his childhood, and after training at the Viettel training centre, he returned to play for his hometown team, Quảng Ninh.

In October 2021, Long signed a five-year contract with Hà Nội FC. Although he may not possess an ideal physique, Long compensates with his intelligence and technical playing style. His most notable achievement thus far was winning the 31st SEA Games championship with the national team in 2022. Additionally, he played a crucial role in Hà Nội FC's triumph in the V.League 1, National Cup, and National Super Cup in 2022.

Striker Nhâm Mạnh Dũng (Thể Công – Viettel FC)

Nhâm Mạnh Dũng is a familiar name to Vietnamese football fans. Known for his handsome appearance and ideal physical attributes (standing at 1.81m tall), Dũng has scored numerous goals in national tournaments. His most memorable performance came during the SEA Games 31, where his goal secured a gold medal for the U23 team.

Dũng's talent shone through even earlier when he won the top scorer award at the 2017 national U17 tournament. Initially a striker, Dũng later demonstrated his versatility by excelling as a centre back for his club. Through dedication and hard work, Dũng has developed his potential and proven his expertise in both positions. He is expected to achieve great success in his personal career and contribute to the success of Vietnamese football.

Midfielder Nguyễn Trọng Long of Hà Nội Police. — Photo baomoi.com

Midfielder Nguyễn Trọng Long (Hà Nội Police)

Nguyễn Trọng Long's football journey began in his youth when his talent was discovered by coaches at the PVF Youth Football Training Centre. He started his professional career with Phố Hiến Club in the V.League 2 in 2019, contributing to their promotion to V.League 1.

In 2021, Long joined HCM City, a top team in V.League 1, but faced tough competition for playing time. In 2023, he made the decision to join Hà Nội Police, where his talent has flourished. Long's skills were recognised when he was called up to the U23 team for the 2021 SEA Games, where Việt Nam successfully defended their gold medal. As a central midfielder, Long possesses a smart playing style, excellent mobility, impressive physical strength and strong defensive abilities in the middle of the field.

Midfielder Dụng Quang Nho of LPBank Hoàng Anh Gia Lai. — Photo 60giay.com

Midfielder Dụng Quang Nho (LPBank Hoàng Anh Gia Lai)

Nho has had an impressive journey in Vietnamese football. Despite being born into a poor family in Bình Thuận Province, his football talent was evident from an early age. This led to his inclusion in the renowned youth football training facility, Hoàng Anh Gia Lai (HAGL), in 2013.

Nho's passion for the sport, his inherent qualities and the professional training environment at HAGL helped him develop his skills rapidly. He quickly outperformed his peers and became one of the standout players in the programme.

At the age of 16, Nho was promoted to HAGL's U19 team, where he competed in national championships. Two years later, he earned a call-up to the Vietnamese U19 national team and delivered impressive performances. Since then, he has become a familiar name to Vietnamese football fans, particularly HAGL supporters.

In 2019, Nho continued to be called up to the Vietnamese U22 team for the AFF U22 Championship in Cambodia. He was also included in the national U22 team's preparation squad for the 30th SEA Games, but unfortunately, he suffered an injury and was unable to compete in the tournament.

However, Nho's talent did not go unnoticed, and he was subsequently chosen as captain of the U23 team for the 2022 AFF Championship, in which Vietnam finished as runners-up.

Currently, Nho plays a crucial role as one of the key players for LPBank Hoàng Anh Gia Lai. His skills and contributions have made him an integral part of the team's success. VNS