Vietnam national team defender brings the best possible news from South Korea

Bui Tien Dung, the central defender, had a successful operation on his injury in South Korea and is expected to require around three months before he can play again.

Bui Tien Dung underwent successful knee cartilage surgery in South Korea on July 28. The procedure went smoothly, marking the start of a crucial recovery phase for the player from The Cong Viettel. It is anticipated that the 1995-born defender will need roughly three months of treatment and rehabilitation before he can return to the field.

The decision to operate came after the knee injury had plagued Bui Tien Dung throughout the 2025/26 season. Persistent pain forced him to miss matches repeatedly, preventing him from maintaining consistent form and affecting his performance. Therefore, the defender chose to undergo definitive intervention during the end-of-season break.

Before traveling to South Korea, Bui Tien Dung had also undergone another surgery on his jaw area. On July 7, he was hospitalized to remove two impacted wisdom teeth, which had caused problems with his jawbone. After the operation, his face was significantly swollen, making eating difficult, but his health gradually stabilized afterward.

As planned, Bui Tien Dung left for South Korea at the end of July with support from The Cong Viettel's medical team. A Korean doctor working at the club directly recommended a suitable treatment facility and accompanied him throughout the surgery and recovery process. The thorough preparation is expected to ensure the best possible treatment outcome.

Before the surgery, Bui Tien Dung said he had been enduring the injury for a long time and had to take breaks from playing to reduce pain on multiple occasions. Doctors predicted that if the recovery goes according to plan, he could return in about three months. This period is necessary for the knee cartilage to stabilize, while also helping the player regain fitness and feel for the ball.

The injury prevents Bui Tien Dung from joining the Vietnam national team for the upcoming 2026 AFF Cup. The absence of an experienced center-back is a significant loss for coach Kim Sang Sik, especially when the team needs stability in defense. Nevertheless, the priority now is to help Tien Dung fully recover so he can return in top condition and continue contributing to both his club and the national team.