Vietnam Workers' and Civil Servants' Football Tournament: Motivation for grassroots football to flourish

công nhân - Ảnh 1. — Sawaco player (right) in the semi-final match against Da Nang Trade Union in the Southern qualifying round of the 2025 Vietnam Workers and Civil Servants Football Tournament - Photo: QUANG DINH

Entering its third year, the tournament is not only a prestigious playground for workers, but also a real festival, where amateurs shine with passion. At the same time, it is a driving force to promote the flourishing community football movement across the country.

To be present in Ho Chi Minh City to participate in the final round, the journey of 16 teams is not only about dramatic qualifying matches, but also a story about the spirit of effort and intense love for the ball. The most typical story is the story of the Da Nang Trade Union team, who had to overcome the historic flood to reach the tournament.

The tournament itself is the driving force for local grassroots tournaments to become more exciting and purposeful.

Mr. BANH PHU TONG (leader of Dong Nai Trade Union)

Overcoming floods to the final round

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Luan, leader of the Da Nang Trade Union, could not hide his emotions when recounting the team's journey. The recent flood caused many of the players' houses to be submerged and their properties to be damaged. They themselves, the workers of the water supply company, had to work day and night to fix the problem, in order to soon restore clean water to the people. In the context of "busy housework and office work", the decision to participate in the final round was a great effort of the team.

"Houses are flooded, work at the factory is urgent, but for the sake of the flag and the uniform, because we have registered to participate, we have to try. At 5am, brothers from all over the place had to find a way to move early through the flooded roads to gather, then catch a bus to the airport. It can be said that it was not until this afternoon, when there was a practice session to familiarize ourselves with the field, that our team had its first official practice session with all members. While traveling, we had to take care of the family at home," Mr. Luan shared.

Their story is not unique. Most of the players participating in the tournament are direct production workers. They have to balance shift work schedules with limited training time. As shared by Mr. Bang Phu Tong, leader of Dong Nai Trade Union, his players are all workers from factories and enterprises. Arranging for them to practice together was a great effort of the whole team and the business leaders.

Those difficulties further highlight the value of the tournament - a playground where they truly belong, where they not only play football, but also carry the pride of their businesses, their localities and the spirit of overcoming difficulties of their workers.

công nhân - Ảnh 2. — The joy of the Hai Phong Trade Union team on the day of preparation for the final round. Photo: TRI DUC

When the tournament becomes a "tradition"

After 3 years, the Vietnam Workers and Civil Servants Football Tournament has gone beyond the framework of a regular sporting event to become a "tradition". A cycle of anticipation that lasts throughout the year in the working community.

The story of Hai Phong Trade Union is the clearest proof. Coach Nguyen Manh Dung described: "It has become a habit, as soon as this year's tournament ended, everyone discussed and thought about how we would play next year. By mid-year, everyone's spirit was very high, just waiting for the call-up to be ready to join the competition immediately."

That anticipation is nurtured by the values that the tournament brings. It is not only about the matches, but also an opportunity to exchange, learn and strengthen solidarity. As Mr. Bang Phu Tong said, in Dong Nai, the Provincial Labor Federation always organizes an internal tournament every year. This playground is both to create a movement and an opportunity to select the best teams to participate in the national tournament.

And the tournament organized by Tuoi Tre newspaper, Vietnam General Confederation of Labor and Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has become the goal and motivation for local grassroots tournaments to become more exciting and purposeful.

Moreover, the joy from the football field also brings double benefits. Player Ta Anh Tung, captain of Hai Phong Trade Union, analyzed: "Exercising and creating solidarity from the tournament will have a reverse effect on better work. When workers have a rich spiritual life, they will regenerate energy and increase their attachment to the business." This is the reason why units are increasingly interested in and investing in their football teams. From there, promoting the movement to develop in a sustainable way.

Wings for grassroots football

One of the key factors that creates the attraction and prestige of the tournament is the professionalism in the organization - something that VFF, in its role as professional sponsor, has been doing very well.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Chau, Deputy General Secretary of VFF, once affirmed: "The professional quality has been constantly improved and enhanced through each season. VFF not only sponsors but also participates deeply in building regulations, arranging competition schedules, providing referees and professional supervisors."

This professionalism has created a new standard for grassroots football. Coach Manh Dung of Hai Phong Trade Union commented: "In the grassroots playground, there is probably no better organization. Experiencing a disciplined competition environment, from the field to the management, has motivated other local tournaments to strive to improve quality."

Mr. Nguyen Manh Kien, Deputy Head of the Labor Relations Department of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, called this a prestigious playground. He emphasized that in the context of many difficulties in workers' lives, creating a healthy playground to improve cultural and spiritual life is a great effort of all parties.

The 3-year journey of the Vietnam Workers and Civil Servants Football Tournament is not only a place for workers to satisfy their passion, but also an ecosystem that nurtures, connects and elevates community football. When the 16 best teams enter the finals today, they not only bring with them the desire to win the championship, but also bring with them the spirit of millions of workers and demonstrate the strong growth of grassroots football across Vietnam.

Outstanding quality

Evaluating the past matches of the tournament, referee Pham Nguyen Tri Thuc said: "Having worked in previous years, I see that the professional quality of this year's tournament is much higher than last year's. The teams are stronger, the players are also of a higher class. I see that the operation and management of the organizing committee in most stages are very professional. This year can be considered the best year of the tournament. I hope that this year's tournament will be a big step forward to help the grassroots football movement of Vietnamese workers and civil servants develop more and more strongly."

According to Mr. Le Ba Hoai, the match supervisor of Ho Chi Minh City at the tournament: "In this tournament, the quality of the teams has clearly improved, the match is highly professional, and there are many beautiful goals. This proves that the leaders of the grassroots teams are very interested in and accompany the tournament. Many teams have really invested very systematically, practicing with clear tactical plans and playing styles. I hope this tournament will be a healthy and useful playground for the Vietnamese workers and civil servants in the coming time."

The Vietnam Workers and Civil Servants Football Tournament is jointly organized by Tuoi Tre Newspaper, Vietnam General Confederation of Labor, and Vietnam Football Federation for the third consecutive year. Entering the 2025 season, the tournament has affirmed its position as an annual, prestigious playground for workers, civil servants, and laborers across the country; contributing to promoting the movement of physical exercise and sports, improving the cultural and spiritual life of workers, civil servants, and laborers in particular and the whole society in general.

This year's tournament is honored to receive the support of Truong Hai Group Joint Stock Company (THACO), Dong Luc Sports Group, HTP Pharmaceutical Investment Joint Stock Company, Hoa Sen Group Joint Stock Company, Sunshine Group, Saigon Water Corporation (SAWACO), Fashion Connection Joint Stock Company (Faslink), 108 Central Military Hospital, 175 Military Hospital and a number of enterprises.

The final round of the Vietnam Workers' and Civil Servants' Football Tournament 2025 took place from October 31 to November 2 in Ho Chi Minh City with the participation of 16 teams that had successfully passed the qualifying round.

Back to topic

THANH DINH - H.DU

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/giai-bong-da-cong-nhan-vien-chuc-viet-nam-dong-luc-chobong-da-phong-trao-no-ro-20251031101035177.htm