The team departed Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi at 12:45 p.m. and landed in Bangkok at 2:45 p.m. local time on the same day. From the Thai capital, Xuan Son and his teammates travelled by bus to Chonburi, the venue for their opening fixture against Timor-Leste.

Despite the lengthy journey, the players appeared eager for the tournament opener.

In the build-up to the ASEAN Cup 2026, Vietnam recorded four consecutive wins in warm-up matches, scoring 14 goals while conceding twice.

Notably, head coach Kim Sang Sik fielded what appeared to be his strongest lineup in two matches, starting three naturalized players - Xuan Son, Hoang Hen and Tai Loc.

Based on the team's recent performances, particularly the 4-0 victory over Myanmar, the defending champions are expected to present a refreshed look at this year's regional tournament.

After settling into their hotel, the squad quickly resumed training in Chonburi to complete the final phase of preparations for the match against Timor-Leste.

According to the coaching staff, temperatures in Chonburi are currently between 35°C and 36°C. However, with four days before the opening match, Hoang Hen and his teammates are expected to have sufficient time to adapt to the conditions before kickoff.

According to the tournament schedule, Vietnam's opening match against Timor-Leste will kick off at 8:30 p.m. on July 24 at Chonburi Stadium.

Dai Nam