The recent golden era of Vietnamese soccer is closely tied to the contributions of two South Korean coaches. Park Hang-seo paved the way for Vietnam's rise as a Southeast Asian powerhouse, while Kim Sang-sik has expanded that legacy with back-to-back ASEAN Cup victories. Their achievements extend beyond trophies, symbolizing the sports exchange between South Korea and Vietnam.
The Vietnamese national team drew 2-2 with Thailand in the second leg of the 2026 ASEAN Cup final on August 26 at Hanoi's My Dinh National Stadium. Having won the first leg 2-0 in Thailand on August 21, Vietnam secured the championship with an aggregate score of 4-2.
Kim Sang-sik Achieves Vietnam's First Back-to-Back Titles
Kim has become the first coach to break through the barrier of consecutive titles for Vietnamese soccer. Although Vietnam won the regional championship in 2008 and 2018, they failed to defend their title in subsequent tournaments. After winning in 2008, they were eliminated in the semifinals, and the 2018 championship team, led by Park, lost to Thailand in the 2020 tournament, missing out on back-to-back victories. However, Kim led the team to consecutive ASEAN Cup titles in 2024 and 2026, along with a gold medal at the Southeast Asian Games and a championship at the U23 Southeast Asian Championship, bringing Vietnam's total to four regional titles.
Despite the triumphs, the path to victory was not without challenges. Some matches saw the team lose momentum, allowing opponents to create unnecessary pressure. Nevertheless, Vietnam weathered these moments, relying on individual skills and game management to navigate crises. The team finished the tournament with six wins, two draws, 21 goals scored, and only three conceded. This success was the result of extensive preparation, with the team gathering in mid-June and training for nearly two months leading up to the final. They participated in training camps in South Korea and played friendly matches against K League clubs, culminating in a 4-0 victory over Myanmar in their final warm-up match.
In comparison to Thailand, the difference in preparation was stark. Thailand's last competitive matches before the tournament were two friendlies with their best players during the FIFA international match window in June. In contrast, Vietnam combined experienced players with emerging young talent, broadening their roster with players like Hoang Hen, Nguyen Thai Lok, and Patrick Lezhang.
Kim's success has reignited interest in Park Hang-seo, who led Vietnamese soccer's ascent from October 2017 to January 2023. Under his guidance, Vietnam achieved a runner-up finish at the 2018 U23 Asian Championship, a fourth-place finish at the 2018 Asian Games, victory in the 2018 ASEAN Football Federation Cup, back-to-back gold medals at the Southeast Asian Games in 2019 and 2021, and their first-ever qualification for the final round of the World Cup Asian qualifiers in 2022.
Indonesian media have also compared the achievements of the two South Korean coaches. CNN Indonesia reported, "Kim Sang-sik has set an impressive record by winning four titles in three years," noting that he is the first to lead Vietnam to consecutive ASEAN Cup victories and has surpassed Park's record.
The influence of both coaches extends beyond the field. On April 22, in Hanoi, Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President, hosted a dinner for South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and his wife, Kim Hye-kyung. Both Kim and Park were in attendance, with local media reporting that they were invited due to their contributions to Vietnamese soccer and were introduced as bridges between Vietnam and South Korea.
Park also acknowledged the significance of the relationship between the two countries during the event. He expressed his gratitude on Facebook, stating, "It is truly an honor and a privilege to be invited to today's state dinner." He added, "Since the relationship between our two countries was elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022, I hope the ties between Vietnam and South Korea continue to strengthen."
Park Hang-seo: From Leading Vietnam's Golden Era to New Challenges in Thailand
Currently, Park is pursuing new challenges in Thailand after leaving Vietnam. Before his move, he served as an advisor for Binh Dinh FC until the end of the 2025-2026 season. After witnessing Binh Dinh FC's promotion to the V League on June 12, he officially joined Kanchanaburi Power FC. Park aims to lead Kanchanaburi Power FC to promotion in the 2026-2027 season after the team was relegated from the Thai top league last season and is now seeking immediate return.
On August 29, during a local event in Thailand, Park was asked about Vietnam's ASEAN Cup victory. He responded, "I will answer if I can," avoiding a direct response. When asked if he watched the final, he confirmed he did, but smiled and refrained from sharing his thoughts. Thai media outlet Thairath commented that Park's reaction demonstrated his respect for both Vietnam, where he spent many years, and Thailand, where he currently resides.
Meanwhile, the recent trajectory of Vietnamese soccer continues to be shaped by the two South Korean coaches. While Park elevated Vietnam to a Southeast Asian powerhouse, Kim has built on that foundation, achieving back-to-back championships and four titles overall. The names of these South Korean coaches have become symbols of success that transcend a single era, linking the two nations.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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