Coach Nguyen Viet Thang and his team's belief in victory

In July, the Dong Nai Truong Tuoi team signed a two-year contract with coach Nguyen Viet Thang. His top priority is to lead the team to promotion to the V.League.

Coach Nguyen Viet Thang always shows enthusiasm when instructing players. Photo: Dong Nai Truong Tuoi Club

There are compelling reasons why the leadership of Dong Nai Truong Tuoi chose to partner with the coach born in 1981. Most notably, Viet Thang recently led Phu Dong Ninh Binh Club to the 2024–2025 National First Division title with an almost perfect record, 19 wins and 1 draw in 20 matches, clinching promotion to the V.League with three rounds to spare. In addition, the strategist previously coached PVF and Can Tho clubs and worked as an assistant to coach Le Huynh Duc in Da Nang. The former striker has also served as an assistant coach for both the U-23 squad and the Vietnam national team.

During his playing career, Viet Thang played for many clubs such as Ho Chi Minh City Police, Hoang Anh Gia Lai, Dong Tam Long An, Ninh Binh, Becamex Binh Duong, and Thanh Hoa.  He won the V.League championship three times, the National Cup twice, and the National Super Cup once. In the Vietnamese national team, he also helped his teammates secure the 2008 AFF Championship title.

Viet Thang's rich playing career, combined with his varied experiences in coaching, game-reading ability, and use of modern tactics, has established him as a talented strategist in Vietnamese football.

In preparation for the 2025-2026 season, coach Viet Thang and his team have actively traveled from the North to the South to compete in friendly matches to assess the squad and refine tactics ahead of the new campaign, which kicks off with the National Cup this weekend.

Coach Viet Thang said, "After our recent match against the Ho Chi Minh City Police team, we had a good warm-up. This season, with the investment, expectations, and the provincial merger, both the team and I feel proud but also under some pressure. However, I see this as an opportunity to send a meaningful gift to all the fans of Truong Tuoi Dong Nai team. Our top goal is to advance in the National Cup, starting with the match against Becamex Ho Chi Minh City."

Although leading a club with many "stars," the former Long An-born coach believed: "Fortunately, we have the support of Chairman Pham Huong Son, who has accompanied and supported us with the best tools for a head coach like me to perform my duties effectively. With strong investment in facilities and stable financial support for the players, I believe that fostering fair competition will naturally lead to team unity."

Veteran goalkeeper Bui Tan Truong also optimistically expressed: "In terms of morale, we have been ready for a long time. With the schedule in advance, everyone has studied it and carried out tactical training for the upcoming National Cup. I am confident that Dong Nai's Truong Tuoi will win the next match… Another goal is to secure promotion to the 2026-2027 V-League."

With major investment in strengthening the squad, along with thorough preparation and the strong determination of coach Viet Thang and his team, fans of the "Green Warriors" have high expectations that their team will perform well in the new season, starting with the home match against Becamex Ho Chi Minh City Club on the evening of September 14.

By: PTT

Translated by: Huyen Trang - Minho