Above: The Vietnamese Women’s National Team lines up. Image: VNA.
By Genevieve Henry (24/2/26).
The Vietnamese Women’s National Team, known as Những Nữ Chiến Binh Sao Vàng or Golden Star Women Warriors, have been a powerhouse in Southeast Asia for decades now. They competed in their first World Cup in 2023 and have participated in 10 Asian Cups. They are one of the best teams in the history of the ASEAN Women’s Championship, making 13 appearances and winning 3 titles.
They will compete in Group C with Japan, Chinese Taipei, and India.
Squad:
Goalkeepers: Trần Thị Kim Thanh (Ho Chi Minh City), Khổng Thị Hằng (Than KSVN), Đoàn Thị Ngọc Phượng (Ho Chi Minh City)
Defenders: Trần Thị Thu Thảo (Ho Chi Minh City), Hoàng Thị Loan (Hanoi), Trần Thị Thu (Thai Nguyen T&T), Lương Thị Thu Thương (Than KSVN), Nguyễn Thị Mỹ Anh (Thai Nguyen T&T), Trần Thị Hải Linh (Hanoi), Lê Thị Diễm My (Than KSVN), Trần Thị Duyên (Phong Phu Ha Nam), Nguyễn Thị Hoa (Hanoi), Nguyễn Thị Kim Yên (Ho Chi Minh City), and Hồ Thị Thanh Thảo (Than KSVN)
Midfielders: Nguyễn Thị Bích Thùy (Thai Nguyen T&T), Thái Thị Thảo (Hanoi), Dương Thị Vân (Than KSVN), Ngân Thị Vạn Sự (Hanoi), Nguyễn Thị Thanh Nhã (Hanoi), Nguyễn Thị Trúc Hương (Than KSVN), Vũ Thị Hoa (Hanoi), Cù Thị Huỳnh Như (Ho Chi Minh City), Nguyễn Thị Hải Yến (Than KSVN), Trần Nhật Lan (Than KSVN)
Forwards: Huỳnh Như (Ho Chi Minh City), Phạm Hải Yến (Hanoi), Nguyễn Thị Thúy Hằng (Than KSVN), Ngọc Minh Chuyên (Thai Nguyen T&T)
Head Coach:
Mai Đức Chung is one of the longest reigning head coaches in international football, entering his 11th consecutive year with Vietnam. The 74-year old was the oldest national team coach at a World Cup, male or female, as of 2023. As a player, he had a long career that included a few appearances with the national team. Mai Đức Chung has coached a few teams, but he started with the Vietnamese women’s national team in 1997 and has had many years at the helm, with a few other coaching jobs scattered between. He always comes back to this team.
Asian Cup History:
Vietnam will be appearing in their 10th finals appearance. Their best results were in 2022 and 2014 where they finished in sixth place.
How They Qualified:
Vietnam qualified as the winners of qualification Group E. They earned all 9 points in their group, beating the Maldives 7-0, United Arab Emirates 6-0, and Guam 4-0. Vietnam ended with a goal difference of 17, putting them in a confident position going into the tournament.
Strengths:
The Golden Star Women Warriors’ secret stretch may lie simply in preparation.Vietnam has been peppering their players with opportunities, playing unsanctioned and hybrid friendlies to keep players at a top level. Games against clubs in Vietnam, Japan, and even Germany help to keep the team sharp. The sheer amount of games they play is a great strength for this team, racking up a lot of wins and results to learn from. Vietnam only recorded two official losses in the 2025 calendar year. Many of the players play with each other at club level for Ho Chi Minh City, Than KSVN, Hanoi, and Thai Nguyen T&T.
Development Areas:
Mai Đức Chung has pointed out issues in Vietnam’s play, especially regarding precision. While the team can be set up well and stay in shape, the players’ accuracy often fails them when the right moment comes. In big competitions, this is crucial. Whether it’s passing or finishing, Vietnam need to up their game in critical moments.
Key Players:
Huỳnh Như captains the Golden Star Women Warriors and is considered one of, if not the best player in Vietnam. The 34-year old forward has made 121 appearances — which is nearing the Vietnamese record — and scored 70 goals, which is the record. She also made history as the first female Vietnamese player to play abroad professionally when she signed for Länk FC Vilaverdense in Portugal. She now plays for Hồ Chí Minh City.
Nguyễn Thị Bích Thùy is a high scoring winger for Vietnam and Thái Nguyên T&T. The 31-year old has been with Vietnam since 2013, making 87 appearances and scoring 26 goals. She can also play in the midfield and provides a crucial link up play in all phases of play. Her leadership and playing style is crucial in scoring high enough to succeed in tournaments.
Trần Thị Hải Linh is a 24-year old defender who is becoming increasingly important for Vietnam. She is one of the few players below 30 who has made a significant number of appearances. In her 31 caps, she has also scored 1 goal. Her resilience and resolve in defense will be important if Vietnam do well in the tournament.
One to Watch:
Ngọc Minh Chuyên is an up-and-coming talent in Vietnam. The 21-year old forward is one of the youngest players on her team, which she made her first appearance for in 2025. In her three appearances — during Asian Cup qualification — she has already scored one goal. She plays for Thái Nguyên T&T and is learning to score goals with the best of them. With Vietnam’s U20 side, she scored 21 goals in 26 appearances.
Success Would Be:
Making it out of the group stage would be the least of Vietnam’s hopes. They have extensive tournament experience and a very well-acquainted player group. They should win at least one group stage match and make it to the quarterfinals. Success would be winning World Cup qualification.
Prediction:
Vietnam should qualify for the World Cup. They have a good chance to make it to the quarterfinals and win a playoff if they don’t win initially.
Fixtures:
4th March — Vietnam vs India, 7pm, Perth Rectangular Stadium
7th March — Chinese Taipei vs Vietnam, 1pm, Perth Rectangular Stadium
10th March — Japan vs Vietnam, 5pm, Perth Rectangular Stadium
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