30-strong Vietnam U17 squad named for Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers

Vietnam have been drawn in Group C with Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong (China), Macau (China), and the Northern Mariana Islands at the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers.

Thirty players have been summoned for training ahead of the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers. (Photo: VFF)
Thirty players have been summoned for training ahead of the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers. (Photo: VFF)

Hanoi (VNA) – The U17 national football team, comprising 30 members, have been called for training ahead of the AFC U17 Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers, and they will assemble in Hanoi on October 5.

Key players include striker Nguyen Van Duong, top scorer and best player at the U15 National Championship 2024, and midfielder Chu Ngoc Nguyen Luc, named best player at the 2025 National U17 Championship – Thai Son Nam Cup. Goalkeeper Chu Ba Huan, who won best goalkeeper at the same tournament, also features in the lineup.

The team will train at the Vietnam Youth Football Training Centre before departing for Japan on November 5 for a two-week camp, including three friendlies arranged by the Japan Football Association. They are scheduled to return home on November 16 to complete final preparations.

Vietnam have been drawn in Group C with Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong (China), Macau (China), and the Northern Mariana Islands. Matches will be played in Hanoi and Hung Yen from November 22–30.

Winners of each group will advance to the finals in Saudi Arabia in May 2026, alongside Qatar and the eight 2025 quarter-finalists. The top eight teams at the finals will qualify for the FIFA U17 World Cup 2026./.

VNA

See more

A spectacular fireworks display at the event. (Photo: VNA)

Thang Long – Hanoi Festival 2026 opens

The second Thang Long – Hanoi Festival 2026, themed “Heritage Flow,” kicked off on the night of September 11. It aims to bring traditional cultural values ​​closer to the public, expand international exchange, and contribute to the development of Hanoi's cultural industries.

Delegates at the launch ceremony of the photography contest “Global Eyes on Da Nang” at APEC Park on September 10 (Photo: VNA.)

Photo contest highlights Da Nang through international eyes

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Nguyen Thi Anh Thi, Vice Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Committee and head of the contest’s organising committee, said the competition aims to showcase diverse perspectives from the foreign community, diplomatic missions, international organisations, press agencies, professional and amateur photographers, and visitors.

The Vietnamese delegation attends the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee in July 2024. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi to host Asia-Pacific dialogue on heritage, authenticity

The event aims to provide an international scientific forum for further research, exchanges and discussions on authenticity in world heritage conservation, in close connection with the outstanding universal value, integrity and cultural values of heritage elements.

Materials on President Ho Chi Minh are on display as part of the series of events honouring President Ho Chi Minh in Kunming, China (Photo published by VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh relic site opens exhibition in China marking 76 years of diplomatic ties

The centerpiece exhibition features more than 100 documents, materials and photos, some made public for the first time. It highlights President Ho Chi Minh’s life, career and revolutionary activities in China and his close ties with Chinese revolutionaries, intellectuals and people, underscoring the formation, cultivation and continuation of Vietnam-China friendship across periods.

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra delivers a speech at the ceremony in Hanoi on September 9 to see off the Vietnamese sports delegation to the 20th Asian Games (ASIAD 20) in Japan. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese sports delegation leaves for ASIAD 20 in Japan

The Vietnamese delegation comprises 496 members, including athletes, coaches, experts, officials, doctors and medical staff. The teams will depart in several groups depending on their competition schedules, with the largest group expected to leave on September 16. The squad has set a target of winning at least four gold medals at ASIAD 20.

A performance by the Ruby’s Dance Crew at a celebration of Vietnam's National Day in Hong Kong (Photo: VNA)

Artist helps Vietnamese culture shine in Hong Kong

Teaching traditional dance and songs to children growing up overseas has never been easy. Differences in living environments and ways of thinking, together with pronunciation influenced by the local language, mean that the children need more time to grasp rhythms and pronounce Vietnamese correctly.

A musical performance at the Vietnamese Cultural Festival in Asahikawa, Hokkaido (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Cultural Festival brings people together in Japan

Over the two days, the festival featured a range of cultural, artistic and community activities, including a Japanese speech contest for Vietnamese participants, quizzes on Japanese law, culture and history, a Japanese karaoke contest, art performances and Yosakoi exchanges.

Vietnamese Consul General in Perth Pham Hai Anh delivers the opening remarks at the festival. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Lantern Festival connects cultures in Darwin

This year’s festival showcased the waterways, boats and monkey bridges of the Mekong Delta, along with handicrafts made from coconut leaves, bringing the distinctive character of Vietnam’s southern region to life through decorations, interactive activities and artistic performances.

Top 6 contestants of 73rd Miss World pageant (Photo: VNA)

Miss World 2026 promotes Vietnamese culture, tourism

On September 4-5 alone, Khanh Hoa welcomed around 95,000 visitors staying overnight, including approximately 38,000 international visitors, highlighting the event’s considerable appeal and the province’s image as a safe, attractive and welcoming destination.

UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany (Photo published by VNA)

UNESCO, countries welcome Vietnam-led cultural initiative

UNESCO Director-General Khaled El-Enany hailed the UN General Assembly’s proclamation of the International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development (2027–2036), thanking Vietnam for promoting the initiative, as well as all co-sponsoring countries, members of the core group and the Group of Friends for Culture at the UN for their support.