Vietnam's U23 team returns home after finishing bottom of the table at the China tournament.

Vietnam's U23 team has returned home after the CFA Team China 2026 friendly tournament, wrapping up the March training camp and gathering valuable experience for future goals.

Vietnam's U23 team officially concluded their tour in China and returned home on April 1st, after participating in the CFA Team China 2026 friendly tournament in Xi'an. This is considered a crucial training camp to assess the young squad in preparation for the long-term objectives of Vietnamese football.

According to the plan, the entire team split into two groups traveling by air. The first group consisted of players and coaching staff working at clubs in the North, while the remaining group returned to teams in the Southern region. Both landed safely in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City that same afternoon, concluding a multi-day competition journey abroad.

After returning home, acting head coach Dinh Hong Vinh decided to disband the camp, officially ending the March 2026 training assembly. The players immediately returned to their parent clubs to continue the competitive cycle in national professional leagues. Before parting, Mr. Vinh also emphasized the requirements for effort, discipline, and a progressive mindset if they wish to be included in future call-ups.

At the CFA Team China 2026 friendly tournament, Vietnam's U23 team did not achieve the expected results, securing only 1 point after 3 matches. The team drew 1-1 with North Korea's U23 in their opening match, before subsequently suffering 0-1 defeats to Thailand's U23 and China's U23, thereby finishing bottom of the final standings. The team's sole goal was scored by Nguyen Minh Tam, a player registered with Hoang Anh Gia Lai.

Although the results were not favorable, the tournament still provided significant professional value for the coaching staff. This was the first time Vietnam's U23 players born after 2005 competed together within one system, so a lack of cohesion was unavoidable. Throughout the tournament, coach Dinh Hong Vinh continuously rotated the lineup, allowing many players to get playing time to evaluate their capabilities and test tactics.

Looking toward the future, the trip to China is seen as the initial step in building the next generation squad. The immediate goal is preparing Vietnam's Olympic team for the 2026 Asian Games, with the longer-term aim being Vietnam's U23 team targeting the 2027 SEA Games. With the foundational groundwork established, the development journey for this young generation of players remains long and requires more time for refinement.