Vietnam national team defender writes emotional farewell letter to club

Defender Nguyen Nhat Minh posted a touching farewell letter to Haiphong FC after three seasons together, closing a noteworthy chapter with his hometown side.

After three seasons of commitment, defender Nguyen Nhat Minh has officially bid farewell to Haiphong FC with an emotional letter on his personal page. The move by the U23 Vietnam international quickly drew attention from fans, ending a memorable stint with his hometown club and sparking speculation about his next destination.

In his post, Nhat Minh expressed sincere gratitude to the Haiphong collective, which helped him grow both professionally and in competitive spirit. "After three seasons together, today I want to say thank you to my hometown club, which gave me the opportunity to mature, learn, and create beautiful memories with certain achievements. I wish the club continued growth, success, and to always remain the pride of our hometown. See you again very soon," the 23-year-old center-back wrote.

His post quickly received thousands of interactions and many well-wishes from teammates, fans, and senior players. Notably, striker Nguyen Tien Linh left a comment welcoming his "younger brother," leading many to believe the center-back will likely join CLB CATP HCM before the new season. However, as of now, Nhat Minh has not confirmed his next career move.

Born in 2003 in Haiphong, Nguyen Nhat Minh did not come through the local club's academy. He trained at the HAGL JMG Academy before further developing at the Nutifood Football Academy. In 2023, he returned to Haiphong but was loaned to Long An to gain experience. In early 2024, he officially debuted for Haiphong's first team in a draw against SLNA and gradually earned trust under coach Chu Dinh Nghiem.

Despite standing only 1.75m tall, Nhat Minh impressed with his reading of the game, fiery style, and fearless physical play. In the V.League 2025/26 season, the young center-back took a major step forward, playing 25 out of 26 matches, including 23 starts. His consistent performances earned him a spot in the league's team of the season and made him one of the most prominent young defenders in Vietnamese football.

His convincing club form also opened the door to the national teams. He was part of the U23 Vietnam squad that won bronze at the 2026 AFC U23 Championship before being called up to the Vietnam national team by coach Kim Sang Sik and making his debut in a win against Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. Therefore, his farewell to Haiphong not only closes a memorable chapter but also marks the beginning of a new phase in the promising center-back's career.