Vietnam national team arrives in Thailand, ready for their opening match at the ASEAN Cup 2026.

The Vietnamese squad has arrived in Thailand, finishing their trip from Hanoi to Bangkok and then taking a bus to Chonburi ahead of their debut game at the ASEAN Championship 2026.

After settling into their accommodation, Coach Kim Sang Sik and his players entered the final preparation phase before facing Timor Leste on July 24 at Chonburi Stadium. Accompanying the team as the delegation head is Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) Vice President Tran Anh Tu.

The Vietnam national team departed from Noi Bai Airport at noon on July 20. The flight took the entire squad to Bangkok, before continuing by road to Chonburi, the venue for the match between Timor Leste and Vietnam. Since Timor Leste's national stadium does not meet the standards of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF), the team has chosen Chonburi as their home ground for the ASEAN Championship 2026.

According to the plan, after completing check-in and resting, the Vietnam team will quickly return to training starting tomorrow to finalize the last preparations in terms of tactics and fitness. The coaching staff will also make necessary adjustments to ensure the players are in optimal condition for the opening match.

Vietnam national team players are eagerly awaiting their opening match at the ASEAN Cup 2026. Photo: VFF.

Entering the ASEAN Championship 2026 as the defending champions, the Vietnam national team aims for a strong start to build momentum for their title defense. In the group stage, Coach Kim Sang Sik and his players will face Timor Leste, Singapore, Indonesia, and Cambodia in turn.

The match against Timor Leste is not only Vietnam's opening game but also seen as an opportunity for the defending champions to assert their determination and gain an advantage in the race for a semifinal spot.