The team was scheduled to leave Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok at 3:55 p.m. on August 23 and land at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi at 5:55 p.m.

However, after arriving at the airport, coach Kim Sang Sik and his players were informed that their flight had been delayed until 5:40 p.m. Barring further changes, the team was expected to arrive in Hanoi at around 7:40 p.m.

While waiting at Suvarnabhumi Airport, Quang Hai and his teammates took the opportunity to rest and shop for gifts. The mood within the squad remained relaxed and upbeat following their 2-0 victory over Thailand at Rajamangala Stadium the previous evening.

The win put defending champions Vietnam firmly in control of the two-legged final. After a goalless first half, substitutes Nguyen Hai Long and Nguyen Quang Hai struck in the second half to silence the home crowd in Bangkok.

Thai media acknowledged Vietnam’s significant advantage following the defeat. Thairath highlighted the visitors’ clinical counterattacking display, while Siam Sport said the “Golden Star Warriors” had taken a major advantage into the return leg. Matichon noted that Thailand pushed forward in search of a response but failed to find a way past Vietnam.

Indonesia’s Kompas also said Vietnam’s prospects of successfully defending their ASEAN Cup crown had opened up considerably following the victory. Indonesian outlet Bola went further, noting that Vietnam now need only a draw in the second leg to secure the championship.

After arriving in Hanoi, the players were due to return directly to their hotel to rest before resuming training on August 24.

Despite holding a two-goal cushion, Kim warned his players against complacency. With Thailand having little left to lose, he expects the visitors to push hard for a comeback in Hanoi.

“Nothing is over yet. We still have the second leg ahead of us, and we need to recover quickly and prepare as well as possible,” the South Korean coach said.

The second leg of the 2026 ASEAN Cup final between Vietnam and Thailand kicks off at 8 p.m. on August 26 at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi.