From European football wishing Vietnamese people a Happy New Year

(NLĐO) - Behind the New Year greetings from top clubs around the world to Vietnamese fans lies a story about the aspirations of Vietnamese football to rise to prominence.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year 2026 (Year of the Horse), many top European football clubs simultaneously sent New Year greetings to their Vietnamese fans. Notably, the fan pages of Atletico Madrid, Tottenham Hotspur, and Borussia Dortmund "Vietnamese-ized" their messages with unique cultural images and symbols: from Dong Ho folk paintings and traditional costumes to the warm atmosphere of a traditional New Year's meal.

Atletico Madrid's fan page posted a New Year's greeting to Vietnamese fans.

Liverpool star wishes Vietnam a Happy New Year in Vietnamese.

When the world's biggest sports brands take the time to study the customs and emotions of local fans, it shows that our country is becoming a highly potential and passionate football market.

Vietnam's "All Stars" team will face Manchester United legends at Hoa Xuan Stadium (Photo: Vietnam - UK Football Festival 2025)

First of all, Vietnam has an extremely vibrant football fan community. Vietnamese fans' social media interaction is consistently among the highest in the region, creating a level of excitement that any club would want to emulate.

More importantly, the strong economic growth in recent years has led to the expansion of the middle class, a group of fans willing to spend money on official jerseys, television rights packages, or meet-and-greet events with players.

In modern football, fans are not just spectators but central to global commercial strategies. And Vietnam, with over 100 million people and a special passion for football, is clearly a "golden opportunity" for European "giants".

Beyond the realm of the internet, our country's mark is also evident in our historic international competitions.

Vietnamese fans have had the opportunity to witness big names like Arsenal, Man City, and Dortmund compete against the "Golden Star Warriors." These friendly matches clearly reflect the appeal of Vietnamese stadiums, where tickets can sell out in just a few hours and the atmosphere is always as passionate as a festival.

In 1996, 10 years after the country opened up to international integration, the then-Champions League champions Juventus faced the Vietnamese national team at Hang Day Stadium. This was also the first time a European football giant had set foot in Vietnam. The result was a 2-1 victory for Juventus, including a spectacular goal by captain Gianluca Vialli (who passed away in 2025).

The only goal for Vietnam was scored by midfielder Vo Hoang Buu. Although the home team suffered a defeat, fans were still satisfied with this historic friendly match.

On the other hand, Vietnamese football is also undergoing a strong transformation from within. From the 2024-2025 season, the V-League will shift to playing from August to around May of the following year, approaching international standards.

The application of VAR technology and the invitation of international referees to officiate important matches have also helped to stabilize domestic football. As a result, the performance of the national team and the U23 team in the region, and even in Asian competitions, has become increasingly positive.

Fans are excited as Manchester United legends arrive in Vietnam (Photo: Vietnam - UK Football Festival 2025)

Furthermore, international events are becoming more frequent. Last summer, a Manchester United legends team came to Da Nang to play against Vietnam "All Stars" as part of the Vietnam-UK Football Festival 2025. These efforts affirm that the Southeast Asian country is no longer outside the global football arena.

From New Year's greetings steeped in national identity to packed stadiums at international friendly matches, they all tell one story: Vietnam is one of the most vibrant and attractive markets in Asia.

The love of football is no longer limited to sleepless nights watching the Premier League or Champions League; it has become a powerful attraction that draws the "giants" to Vietnam.

Source: https://nld.com.vn/tu-chuyen-bong-da-chau-au-chuc-tet-nguoi-viet-196260218115205153.htm