Opening of the 3rd Vietnam Student Youth Football Tournament

"The organizing committee has done an excellent job."

Yesterday afternoon, December 28th, the opening ceremony of the 3rd Vietnam Youth and Student Football Tournament - 2025 THACO Cup (TNSV THACO Cup 2025) took place solemnly and enthusiastically at the Ton Duc Thang University stadium, witnessed by 7,000 fans in the stands and tens of thousands more watching via online channels.

Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Youth Union and President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Student Association; and Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Toan, Vice President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union, Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Nien Newspaper, and Head of the Organizing Committee of the tournament; presented flowers and encouraged the players of the participating teams.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Secretary of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union and President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Student Association, Nguyen Minh Triet, said: "Two years ago, in order to develop sports in universities, colleges, and academies on a large and attractive scale, the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Student Association directed Thanh Nien Newspaper to cooperate with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) to organize the first Vietnam Youth and Student Football Tournament. The tournament is held annually during the period from the commemoration of the Traditional Day of Vietnamese Students (January 19) to the founding day of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (March 26). The Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Student Association hope that the collaboration between Thanh Nien Newspaper and the VFF can create an attractive tournament, becoming an eagerly awaited annual event for students of universities and colleges nationwide."

Delegates presented flowers and encouraged the 28 teams at the opening ceremony.

Commenting on the past two seasons, Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet emphasized: "The expectations of the Central Committee of the Youth Union have become a reality as the tournament has truly become a festival for Vietnamese students with the main spirit of 'Playing fairly - winning fairly - cheering fairly'. On behalf of the Central Committee of the Youth Union and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Student Association, we highly appreciate and sincerely thank the Organizing Committee and the Editorial Board of Thanh Nien Newspaper for excellently fulfilling their nhiệm vụ in organizing the tournament for the third time today."

Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Youth Union and President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Student Association, delivered a speech at the opening ceremony.

Reaching out internationally

A new feature of this year's tournament is that immediately after the final round in mid-March 2025, the 2025 International Youth and Student Football Tournament - THACO Cup will take place, with the participation of 4 student teams from Southeast Asian countries along with 2 representatives from Vietnam. Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet commented: "For the third consecutive season, with renewed enthusiasm and inspiration, in 2025, in harmony with the joy of the major holidays of the Party and the Youth Union, and important political and social events, Thanh Nien Newspaper will for the first time organize the International Youth and Student Football Tournament, with professional support from the VFF and main sponsorship from THACO Group."

From left to right: Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Toan, Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Nien Newspaper and Head of the Organizing Committee, presenting flowers to Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Son, Vice Rector of Ton Duc Thang University; Mr. Pham Van Tai, General Director of THACO Group - the main sponsor of the 3rd Vietnam Youth and Student Football Tournament - 2025 - THACO Cup; and Mr. Duong Minh Duc, Deputy Director of Business and Marketing of Saigontourist Group.

This can be considered a new and significant development for our youth and student sports competition. For the first time, we have a regional-level platform for students. According to the organizers, the tournament will be a great opportunity for students from Southeast Asian countries to interact, share experiences in developing school sports, and improve their football skills in order to potentially serve professional clubs or national teams. Furthermore, the tournament will be a practical event contributing to raising awareness among the younger generation about a united Southeast Asia – "one vision, one identity, one community."

Overview of the opening ceremony of the TNSV THACO Cup 2025 qualifying round.

The teams walked onto the field for the opening ceremony.

The Secretary of the Central Committee of the Youth Union and President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Student Association also reminded the young people: "We hope that the team's path to ultimate victory will be truly convincing in both professional skills and playing style, creating a beautiful symbol of young Vietnamese intellectuals in the new era. Together, we look forward to a successful third season and create an unforgettable impression in the eyes of international friends. On behalf of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Youth Union and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Student Association, I wish all the teams success in the competition."

The opening ceremony of the 3rd Vietnam Youth and Student Football Tournament - 2025 THACO Cup (TNSV THACO Cup 2025) was attended by Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union, President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Student Association; Mr. Nguyen Ngoc Toan, Vice President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Youth Union, Editor-in-Chief of Thanh Nien Newspaper, Head of the Organizing Committee; Mr. Nguyen Xuan Vu, Vice President of the VFF; Mr. Nguyen Nam Nhan, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture and Sports of Ho Chi Minh City; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Minh Tam, Deputy Director of the Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City; Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Son, Vice Rector of Ton Duc Thang University… along with the presence of the Board of Directors of Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport, Ho Chi Minh City University of Economics and Finance, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology, representatives from the Internal Political Security Department - Ho Chi Minh City Police, the Culture and Information Department of District 7, the VFF Referee Committee…

Representing the sponsors and partners were Mr. Pham Van Tai, General Director of THACO Group - the main sponsor of the 3rd Vietnam Youth and Student Football Tournament - 2025 THACO Cup; Mr. Duong Minh Duc, Deputy Director of Business and Marketing of Saigontourist Group; Mr. Nguyen Van Thang, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Investment and Development Bank (BIDV); Dr. Nguyen Truong Khuong, Director of Professional Services at Nam Saigon International General Hospital; Mr. Huynh Thanh Quoc Bao, Director of Bao Uyen Sport Company (Bulball brand); and Mr. Tran Quoc Khanh, Head of Business and Marketing Department, Southern Branch - Dong Luc Sports Joint Stock Company.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/khai-mac-giai-bong-da-thanh-nien-sinh-vien-vn-lan-iii-2025-cup-thaco-185241228232336448.htm