Vietnamese Women's Football After the First World Cup: Progress or Plateau?
One World Cup appearance does not build a system. Looking at the domestic league, wages and youth numbers to see where women's football actually stands.
The first Women’s World Cup appearance is the most cited milestone in the history of Vietnamese women’s football. But a milestone only matters when you look at what follows: is the domestic league better, are wages higher, and how many young players are being properly trained?
What changed
Attention, above all. National team matches are broadcast more widely, sponsors appear more often, and some players hold personal endorsement deals — nearly unheard of a decade ago.
Second, opportunities abroad. A few players have moved to European or regional leagues, mostly at modest levels. That is genuine progress, because competing in a more professional environment raises individual standards faster than any domestic session.
What has not changed
The domestic women’s league remains the biggest weakness: few teams, few matches, and several sides effectively reserve or youth teams of men’s clubs. The paradox is players training in a semi-professional environment while facing fully professional opponents internationally.
Income has improved but average wages remain far below male players at the same level. Many players take second jobs or leave football at 25–27, exactly the peak years of a career.
The youth pipeline
Most academies recruit boys. Girls’ programmes usually sit inside schools or local centres with coaches who receive little specialist training. The number of players properly developed from ages 10–15 is very small relative to national team needs. That is why squads keep recalling players over 30 — not for lack of willing replacements, but for lack of trained ones.
Three things that can start now
- Raise the women’s league to a minimum of 14–18 matches per team per season. Without matches there is no development.
- Require men’s clubs to field women’s teams in the national league, with minimum coaching and facility standards.
- Include women’s football in youth coaching education instead of treating it as a separate field.
None of this needs a huge budget. It needs regulation and a few seasons of persistence.
Regional comparison
Women’s football grows strongest in countries with stable domestic leagues and early youth investment. Vietnam has an advantage in national team results, but that advantage does not hold if the base stays thin.
FAQ
Do women players receive the same benefits as men? Not fully. National team wages and allowances are lower, though improved in recent years.
Why are there so few teams? Operating costs fall on men’s clubs without direct commercial return — which is why regulation is needed rather than waiting for the market.
Is there audience interest? Major national team matches draw well. At club level attendance remains low for lack of coverage and suitable venues.