Turning point in youth football training

This information is attracting attention in the country's football community. This is not only an affirmation of the growing position of Vietnamese football in the region but also an opportunity to improve the quality of training young Vietnamese players.

Youth training is focused on

In the past 10 years, the youth training system in Vietnam has made great strides. Many youth football training centers have been invested in systematically, the most prominent of which is the PVF Center ( Hung Yen ).

PVF was established in late 2008, owning the region's leading facilities, considered the first "European standard" model in Vietnam - from the dormitory system, recovery room to FIFA standard training ground. Over the past 17 years, PVF has trained a series of talented players, supplying them to professional clubs in the country. Many of them have played for the Vietnamese national teams at all levels.

PVF Center is also recognized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as a 3-star academy - the highest level in the AFC's rating scale. Currently, Asia has 3 academies that have achieved the high level: PVF, Aspire Academy (Qatar) and Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors FC Academy (Korea).

The HAGL - Arsenal JMG Center in Pleiku ( Gia Lai ) is a pioneer in the international cooperation trend. The JMG model is famous for its "training from the root" philosophy - players are trained in personal techniques, tactical thinking, and creativity from a young age. From here, Vietnam has a "golden generation" such as Cong Phuong, Tuan Anh, Xuan Truong, Van Toan, Van Thanh... - players who have contributed to the success of national teams in the international arena in the past decade.

Viettel Center (inheriting the tradition of The Cong) is also operating a large-scale training system, focusing on satellite networks in localities. Viettel selects players from youth tournaments, then brings them to the center for intensive training, combining cultural education, life skills and military discipline - a model highly appreciated for its comprehensiveness.

In addition, Song Lam Nghe An and Hanoi clubs also have an abundant source of self-trained players, know how to maintain the work of "nurturing" young talents to preserve their competitive identity, and contribute quality human resources to their home clubs.

Unique features of Ngoc Hung Football Center

PVF, Hoang Anh Gia Lai or Viettel are famous and well-known football training centers. However, Ngoc Hung Football Center also stands out with its current supply of high-quality young players.

Ngoc Hung Football Center was established in June 2014, built with the motto of preserving the identity of Ho Chi Minh City football by Coach Luu Ngoc Hung - a player who once played for the Southern Steel Club - Saigon Port, Ninh Binh and Binh Duong. At that time, many community football playgrounds for children were popular throughout the provinces and cities of Vietnam, but when the football center of former center-back Luu Ngoc Hung appeared, it immediately created attraction because of its unique features and professionalism.

Mr. Hung affirmed that he always chooses the path of promoting technical qualities and building a playing style that is typical of Ho Chi Minh City football. Ngoc Hung Football Center also has a very clear orientation, aiming at 2 criteria: discovering and training professional football players and building personality, helping them mature in thinking as well as knowing how to behave in life.

"With passion and enthusiasm, all dreams can come true! Ngoc Hung Football Center not only helps dreams fly but also contributes to training and raising children to a professional level" - Coach Luu Ngoc Hung affirmed.

In 11 years of operation and development, Ngoc Hung Football Center has provided many young talents for nearly 20 V-League, First Division, Second Division clubs, and youth teams. From a few facilities in Ho Chi Minh City, Coach Luu Ngoc Hung's center is now present in 31 provinces and cities, with 95 facilities and more than 6,000 students. Mr. Hung said: "The center invites coaches who are experienced former players and develops appropriate teaching methods. In advanced classes, young players will be applied with youth training curriculum of the clubs."

Bước ngoặt đào tạo bóng đá trẻ - Ảnh 1. — Training activities of Ngoc Hung Football Center. Photo: NGOC HUNG FOOTBALL CENTER

Currently, Ngoc Hung Football Center has nearly 150 coaches, including former Saigon Port players such as Nguyen Ngoc Thanh, Le Hoai Thanh, Dinh Kien Trung or former players for other teams such as Pham Cong Loc (Dong Thap), Tran Quoc Anh (Tien Giang). "The coaches participating in the center are all dedicated to passing on their experiences, so this place is truly a professional playground for young players to learn football and experience competition" - Mr. Hung confidently said.

In order to create opportunities for talented players who want to become professional players, Ngoc Hung Football Center also boldly lets students try their hand at tournaments in the national competition system, from U9 to U15, to exchange and learn experiences in training sessions with seniors who are playing professional football.

Many young players of Ngoc Hung Football Center have gradually asserted their position in professional arenas or national youth teams. Notable among them are defenders Pham Nguyen Tuan Anh (Ho Chi Minh City Youth) and Nguyen Le Quang Khoi (Ho Chi Minh City Club) who were called up to the Vietnam U17 team in May 2025.

"This is the third year that Ngoc Hung Football Center has been a "satellite" of The Cong Viettel and has just renewed the training contract for another three years from U8 to U21. In addition, we are also promoting the construction of "satellite" classes in the provinces with the aim of discovering and training good players for Vietnamese football" - the former player born in 1982 informed.

Football expert Doan Minh Xuong believes that in addition to applying modern training methods, young players also need to be given the opportunity to compete and practice regularly in professional playgrounds in order to develop and exploit their full potential. Through this, experience and competitive spirit will gradually be accumulated, helping young players mature and progress.

(To be continued)