Former South Korean player Kim Do Heon joins the Vietnam national team coaching staff

Under head coach Kim Sang Sik, the Vietnam national team's coaching staff is further reinforced with former South Korean player Kim Do Heon assuming the position of assistant coach for the national team.

Kim Do Heon is no stranger to South Korean football. The former midfielder, born in 1982, earned 62 caps for the national team, appeared at the 2006 World Cup, and is regarded as one of the top central midfielders in South Korean football during the golden era of Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma.

As a player, Kim Do Heon had three overseas stints. Notably, he played for West Brom in the English Premier League during the 2008/09 season, making 25 appearances. In the K.League, he played for Suwon FC, Seongnam FC, and Police FC, and was named in the league's best XI for four consecutive seasons. At the national team level, Kim Do Heon made 62 appearances and scored 12 goals for South Korea.

After retiring, Kim Do Heon moved into coaching. He worked at Suwon Samsung Bluewings, Chengdu Rongcheng (China), and had a long stint with Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors, where he also served as interim head coach.

Notably, Kim Do Heon and head coach Kim Sang Sik share a close relationship, having played together for Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma and the South Korean national team. Both also emerged from the golden generation of South Korean football in the early 2000s.

The addition of Kim Do Heon is expected to boost the professional quality of the Vietnam national team's coaching staff. The 43-year-old's years of experience in the K-League and deep understanding of modern football are anticipated to provide strong support for head coach Kim Sang Sik in preparing for upcoming key objectives.

Previously, the Vietnam national team already had goalkeeper coach Lee Woon Jae and other South Korean assistants. Kim Do Heon's arrival further highlights the strong influence of the South Korean coaching school within the Vietnam national team's setup.

Under the guidance of head coach Kim Sang Sik, the Vietnam national team is aiming to defend its ASEAN Cup title in 2026, while also preparing for the FIFA Asean Cup 2026 and the 2027 AFC Asian Cup to be held in Saudi Arabia.

Kim Do Heon's presence is expected to bring fresh tactical ideas, helping the Vietnam national team maintain its leading position in the region and pursue greater goals on the continental stage.

According to the plan, the Vietnam national team will hold its first training session on the afternoon of June 23 at the VFF Youth Training Center.