Today, referee Tran Dinh Thinh returns to his motherland…

At 2 PM today (August 7th), the family will hold the funeral ceremony for referee Tran Dinh Thinh, who suddenly passed away at the age of 43 after experiencing a health problem during a physical fitness test in Hanoi.

Family, friends, and colleagues mourn their loss.

Family, relatives, friends, neighbors, and numerous colleagues were present to bid farewell to referee Tran Dinh Thinh as he was laid to rest.

Last night (August 6th), after completing their training course, the referees and supervisors immediately flew to the South and traveled to Dinh Quan commune ( Dong Nai province) to pay their respects to their colleague. They also stayed overnight to attend the funeral of referee Tran Dinh Thinh.

This morning (August 7th), another vehicle carrying Mr. Duong Nghiep Khoi – former General Secretary of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), along with supervisors and the chief referee, will also arrive at the home of referee Tran Dinh Thinh's parents – where the funeral will be held. The General Director of VPF and Head of the Organizing Committee for professional leagues in Vietnam, Nguyen Minh Ngoc, was also present at referee Tran Dinh Thinh's hometown.

In addition to his professional work on the football field, referee Tran Dinh Thinh was also a physical education teacher at a school in his hometown of Dong Nai. Many colleagues from the school and students have visited to pay their respects to teacher Thinh over the past few days.

Earlier, referee organizations, former players' associations, training centers, class groups, etc., sent wreaths to pay respects to referee Tran Dinh Thinh - a talented and diligent man who dedicated his entire life to sports .

Organizations and groups sent flowers to pay their respects to referee Tran Dinh Thinh.

The funeral was held in Dinh Quan, Dong Nai.

The funeral arrangements for the 43-year-old referee are being handled jointly by the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and the Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF), along with his family. The head of the funeral committee is Mr. Nguyen Van Phu, General Secretary of the VFF, and the deputy head is Mr. Vo Van Hung, Deputy General Director of the VPF.

To express their gratitude for his contributions, the VFF and VPF organized the entire funeral and decided to provide financial support to the family to help alleviate some of the burden. Hopefully, this sentiment and support will help the family and loved ones of referee Tran Dinh Thinh ease their grief.

Referee Tran Dinh Thinh has been assigned to officiate many important matches.

PHOTO: Kha Hoa

Referee Tran Dinh Thinh (third from the left) with his colleagues.

PHOTO: Kha Hoa

I will always remember the kind smile of referee Tran Dinh Thinh.

Referee Tran Dinh Thinh was born in 1982 (originally from Ha Nam - now Ninh Binh ) and grew up in Dong Nai. He has spent decades involved in football in various roles. He began officiating in the V-League in 2015 and has since been assigned to officiate many important matches. In 2019, he was recognized as a FIFA-certified referee. Referee Tran Dinh Thinh also consecutively won the "Bronze Whistle" and "Silver Whistle" awards in the V-League 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 seasons.

A candid photo of referee Tran Dinh Thinh.

This smile will now become a beautiful memory.

PHOTO: Kha Hoa

On the field, referee Thinh was a strict and authoritative figure, while in everyday life, he was described by his colleagues and friends as kind, enthusiastic, and generous. The sudden passing of referee Tran Dinh Thinh is a great loss to refereeing in particular and to Vietnamese football and sports in general; leaving immeasurable sorrow in the hearts of his family, friends, colleagues, and sports lovers.

Looking back at the career of referee Tran Dinh Thinh: FIFA certified, renowned for his strictness.

Farewell to referee Tran Dinh Thinh - a man who dedicated his heart and soul to refereeing and to Vietnamese sports.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/hom-nay-trong-tai-tran-dinh-thinh-ve-voi-dat-me-185250806123827001.htm