AFC Women's Asian Cup
Huynh Nhu has served her nation with honour and diligence for 15 years, a career path that she has no regrets taking ever since the opportunity opened up to her to be a professional player at the age of 17.
While a large chunk of her career was spent with Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC, Huynh Nhu has had the opportunity to play two years in Portugal in 2022 with Vilaverdense FC, a period which opened her eyes to the potential of Asian players.
While a large chunk of her career was spent with Ho Chi Minh City Women’s FC, Huynh Nhu has had the opportunity to play two years in Portugal in 2022 with Vilaverdense FC, a period which opened her eyes to the potential of Asian players.
“I have had the opportunity to experience a professional environment for about two years, and during that time I learned a great deal,” Huynh Nhu shares with the-AFC.com.
“In Europe, players are generally stronger physically, play with high technical quality, and have very good natural ability. Asian players, however, also have strengths in agility and technical skills.
“I believe that with the current development of Asian football, we will gradually catch up with world football.”
“In Europe, players are generally stronger physically, play with high technical quality, and have very good natural ability. Asian players, however, also have strengths in agility and technical skills.
“I believe that with the current development of Asian football, we will gradually catch up with world football.”
Despite having accrued over 100 caps for Vietnam and 70 goals scored, the excitement and sense of achievement every time the red jersey is worn is never lost on the 34-year-old.
From AFF Championships to AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Huynh Nhu has seen it all with the pride and responsibility of putting on the jersey being something she intends to pass down to the next generation.
“Being selected for the Vietnam national football team is a great source of pride and the biggest honor in my career and in my life. Every time I wear the red shirt with the yellow star of the Vietnam national team, I feel immense pride, along with a strong sense of responsibility.
“I want to pass this inspiration on to the younger generation of footballers, so that they can continue to strive and contribute to Vietnamese football, helping it to develop further and move closer to the world stage."
From AFF Championships to AFC Women’s Asian Cup™ to the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Huynh Nhu has seen it all with the pride and responsibility of putting on the jersey being something she intends to pass down to the next generation.
“Being selected for the Vietnam national football team is a great source of pride and the biggest honor in my career and in my life. Every time I wear the red shirt with the yellow star of the Vietnam national team, I feel immense pride, along with a strong sense of responsibility.
“I want to pass this inspiration on to the younger generation of footballers, so that they can continue to strive and contribute to Vietnamese football, helping it to develop further and move closer to the world stage."
“To me, every player in the Vietnam national team is a very capable footballer, and my teammates are always willing to share and support one another.
“I do not feel an overwhelming burden of responsibility because everyone shares it together, and we see each other as a family. Therefore, we will give our all and fight with everything we have for the colors and pride of the Vietnam national team.”
When the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 rolls around in a few weeks’ time, it will be her third continental tournament in a row having also played in the 2022 and 2018 editions.
Vietnam were eliminated at the group stage in Jordan in 2018 but improved on that with a quarter-final appearance at India 2022, and went on to secure their ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023.
“I do not feel an overwhelming burden of responsibility because everyone shares it together, and we see each other as a family. Therefore, we will give our all and fight with everything we have for the colors and pride of the Vietnam national team.”
When the AFC Women’s Asian Cup Australia 2026 rolls around in a few weeks’ time, it will be her third continental tournament in a row having also played in the 2022 and 2018 editions.
Vietnam were eliminated at the group stage in Jordan in 2018 but improved on that with a quarter-final appearance at India 2022, and went on to secure their ticket to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023.
Having seen the rapid rise of women’s football in Vietnam in recent times, Huynh Nhu is confident that another improvement could be on the cards as the forward looks to add to the two goals she scored four years ago.
“This is the third time I have taken part in this tournament, and each year I feel that things are very different. In particular, the teams in the region have become much closer in level, and the gap between them is gradually narrowing. This has increased competitiveness and created a very exciting tournament.
“I hope that in this edition of the tournament, the competition will be even stronger and the gap between teams will no longer be too large. It will deliver a high-quality competition, and attract many fans to the stadium to watch and cheer for the matches.
“This is the third time I have taken part in this tournament, and each year I feel that things are very different. In particular, the teams in the region have become much closer in level, and the gap between them is gradually narrowing. This has increased competitiveness and created a very exciting tournament.
“I hope that in this edition of the tournament, the competition will be even stronger and the gap between teams will no longer be too large. It will deliver a high-quality competition, and attract many fans to the stadium to watch and cheer for the matches.
“Our goal in this tournament is first of all to try to get through the group stage. After that, we will aim to earn a place in the World Cup.”
Kicking off their Group C campaign against India on March 4, Huynh Nhu will be as determined as ever to lead Vietnam’s challenge as they look to cement their place among Asia’s best.
Photos: AFC, FIFA via Getty Images
Kicking off their Group C campaign against India on March 4, Huynh Nhu will be as determined as ever to lead Vietnam’s challenge as they look to cement their place among Asia’s best.
Photos: AFC, FIFA via Getty Images
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