Kim Sang-sik will not lead Vietnam's U23 team at the international friendly tournament in Gia Lai from 10 to 14 November, Dan Tri reported, citing an announcement from the VFF. Assistant coach Dinh Hong Vinh will take charge instead, because the tournament falls during a training camp for the senior national team, which Kim will lead. Vietnam U23 will face Thailand, Singapore and Qatar.
Schedule and prize money
The U23 squad reassembles on 8 November to prepare, according to Dan Tri, and all three of its matches kick off at 19:00:
| Date | Match |
|---|---|
| 10 November | Vietnam U23 vs Thailand U23 (opening game) |
| 12 November | Vietnam U23 vs Singapore U23 |
| 14 November | Vietnam U23 vs Qatar U23 |
The winners will receive 100,000 US dollars (almost 2.6 billion dong) with the trophy and gold medals, the runners-up 40,000 dollars and silver medals, and the third-placed team 20,000 dollars and bronze medals. Individual awards cover the best player (2,000 dollars), top scorer, best goalkeeper and best refereeing team (1,000 dollars each). Dan Tri said the event will let the coaching staff assess players, test line-ups and give the squad international experience.
Not the first time Vinh has stepped in
Dinh Hong Vinh was in charge of the U23 side at the 20th Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, while Kim was working with the senior team at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, according to Dan Tri. Thanh Nien noted that Vietnam reached the quarter-finals in Nagoya but won only one game, against the Philippines, drew with Kuwait and lost to Uzbekistan and South Korea. Before that, the U23 team won bronze at the AFC U23 Asian Cup finals, including a victory over South Korea.
Thanh Nien expects Vinh, as caretaker coach, to call up most of the players who were with him at the Asian Games, and hopes young players will get more chances at the four-team event.
Three targets for 2027
According to Thanh Nien, the U23 team has three key tasks in 2027: defending the men's football gold at SEA Games 34, keeping the Southeast Asian U23 title at a tournament the VFF will host for the first time, and getting through AFC U23 Asian Cup qualifying. Dan Tri also listed the qualifiers for the 2028 AFC U23 Asian Cup among the team's next goals. Thanh Nien therefore sees the Gia Lai tournament as the first step on a long road for the side.
What comes next
The squad reports on 8 November and opens against Thailand at 19:00 on 10 November. Match dates for the U23 and senior teams are listed on the Vietnam national team fixtures page.