Vietnam retained their Southeast Asian crown after drawing 2-2 with Thailand in the second leg of the ASEAN Cup 2026 final on August 26. Having won the first leg 2-0, Kim Sang Sik’s side completed a 4-2 aggregate victory to become the first Vietnamese team to successfully defend the regional championship.

Immediately after the triumph, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung sent a congratulatory letter to the national team and coaching staff, saying he was delighted and deeply moved by their courageous and composed performance in the final at My Dinh.

The Prime Minister praised the players for demonstrating resilience, tactical discipline, unity and a strong desire to give everything for the national colors throughout a demanding title defence.

He said their commitment and perseverance, particularly in the second leg of the final, had delivered not only sporting glory but also confidence and happiness to millions of supporters across Vietnam and Vietnamese communities overseas.

The victory, he added, further strengthened Vietnamese football’s position among Southeast Asia’s leading forces and reflected meticulous preparation, the leadership of the coaching staff, particularly head coach Kim Sang Sik, and the determination of every player.

The Prime Minister expressed hope that the triumph would provide fresh inspiration for Vietnamese sport to pursue greater achievements at continental and global level.

Recognition also came from the top of Asian football.

In a letter to Vietnam Football Federation President Tran Quoc Tuan, AFC President Salman bin Ebrahim Al Khalifa congratulated Vietnam on successfully defending the ASEAN Cup 2026 title.

He described the championship as a thoroughly deserved conclusion to a dramatic and successful tournament and asked the VFF president to convey his congratulations to every member of the national team for the historic achievement.

The AFC chief’s message was seen as recognition not only of the national team’s performance but also of the broader progress Vietnamese football has made in recent years.

Vietnam has steadily increased investment in its national teams, youth development system, facilities and organization of international football events.

The ASEAN Cup final also brought FIFA’s leadership to Hanoi. FIFA President Gianni Infantino and Secretary General Mattias Grafstrom attended activities during their visit to Vietnam, including the second leg between Vietnam and Thailand.

Infantino praised the occasion and the atmosphere inside a packed My Dinh Stadium, saying he was delighted to be in Hanoi to witness the final match of ASEAN Cup 2026 and experience the passion of the crowd.

For Vietnam, the championship capped an unbeaten campaign in which Kim Sang Sik’s team won six matches and drew two, scoring 21 goals while conceding only three.

The statistics reflected a tournament in which Vietnam were not only effective but generally dominant. They created more attempts than any other team and controlled large stretches of their matches.

Their success was also the product of unusually thorough preparation.

The national team assembled in mid-June and had almost two months together before the final. Vietnam held a training camp in South Korea, played several friendlies against K League clubs and completed their preparations with a 4-0 victory over Myanmar.

Kim also had a deep and balanced squad combining experienced internationals with younger players in strong form, supplemented by additions including Hoang Hen, Nguyen Tai Loc and Patrik Le Giang.

Striker Nguyen Xuan Son was among the standout performers, scoring five goals to share the tournament’s Golden Boot with Nguyen Dinh Bac.

Xuan Son’s contribution was subsequently recognized by Omoda & Jaecoo Vietnam, which presented its brand ambassador with VND100 million (about $3,800) in cash and a Jaecoo J5 EV Flagship valued at around VND600 million ($23,000).

It was the second car Xuan Son had received following an ASEAN Cup triumph. He was previously presented with a Jaecoo J7 PHEV after contributing to Vietnam’s 2024 championship and became a brand ambassador for the company in March 2025.

High-value rewards from businesses and sponsors have long accompanied major achievements in Vietnamese football. Former national coach Park Hang-seo and current coach Kim Sang Sik are among those who have received vehicles following notable successes.

For Xuan Son, however, receiving two cars in less than two years illustrates just how closely his rise has coincided with one of the national team’s most successful periods.

For Vietnam, the celebrations and congratulations surrounding the latest championship underline something broader. The title was not simply another trophy, but the culmination of sustained preparation and investment - and, for the first time, proof that Vietnam could successfully defend its place at the summit of Southeast Asian football.

Dai Nam