Truong Tuoi Dong Nai and its journey to elevate provincial football

 The runner-up position in the 2024-2025 season is the belief for Truong Tuoi Dong Nai to go further.             Photo: Nguyen Tan

It is a journey of building a professional football team to compete in Vietnam's top league, the V.League, driven by their own strength and the aspiration to elevate local football.

Determined to take Dong Nai Football to new heights

Since Vietnamese football turned professional in the 2000–2001 season, Dong Nai football, formerly encompassing both Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc, had yet to build a team capable of making a lasting impression on the national football map. The only exception came in 2013, when Dong Nai Berjaya Football Club was granted a special promotion to the V.League after the tournament lacked one team due to unforeseen circumstances. However, in their debut season in the V.League, Dong Nai Berjaya were relegated and have since hovered between the First and Second Divisions.

Meanwhile, the former Binh Phuoc team, prior to being transferred to Truong Tuoi Group, struggled each season to avoid relegation due to limited financial resources. Everything changed in 2023, when Truong Tuoi Group officially took over the club under the policy of sports socialization. In its first season, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai finished third overall in the First Division, and in its second season (2024–2025), the club claimed the runner-up title.

Although Truong Tuoi Dong Nai has yet to achieve its goal of reaching the V.League, the club's approach to football has strengthened fans' belief that promotion is within reach. The team continues to show steady improvement, while Truong Tuoi Group increases its annual investment to enhance the squad's quality further.

This ambition is clearly reflected in preparations for the 2025–2026 season. In addition to retaining current stars, the club has signed several high-caliber players such as Xuan Truong, Minh Vuong, Quang Thinh, Huu Tuan, and Van Son.

With a well-planned and deeply strategic roadmap, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai is not only expected to conquer the First Division and secure promotion soon, but also to become a club that embodies the pride and burning passion for victory of football lovers in Dong Nai.

The Journey of Inspiring Confidence

Football fans across the province are eagerly anticipating the day when Truong Tuoi Dong Nai not only secures promotion to the top-flight league but also proves capable of competing on equal terms with the country's strongest V.League teams. Those expectations are being met, at least in part, through the club's serious and professional approach to football development.

Notably, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai made the bold decision to decline a recent special promotion to the V.League, as the club's leadership recognized the need to prepare the team in terms of strength and capability comprehensively. Their goal is not a short-term appearance, but a serious push to compete, conquer, and bring pride to local football.

Along with recruiting a team of high-class players to realize the determination to be promoted in the 2025-2026 season, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai also reformed the coaching staff, experts... those who are responsible for shaping the playing style and the long-term development of the club. Even in youth training, Truong Tuoi Dong Nai is also maintaining all the "U" generations through training cooperation from the famous Juventus Club...

As the 2025–2026 season approaches, marking the first since the provincial merger and the club's rebranding from Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc to Truong Tuoi Dong Nai, the team appears to have gained renewed strength to embark on a new journey: one fueled by the aspiration to elevate Dong Nai football to greater heights across every competition.

By: Nguyen Tan

Translated by: Thu Cuc - Minho