Seoul (VNA) - The first-ever football tournament in the Republic of Korea (RoK) exclusively for Vietnamese players aged 35 and above was held in Hwaseong City, Gyeonggi province, marking a significant milestone in fostering community spirit among the Vietnamese diaspora.
Co-hosted by Han quoc ngay nay (Korea Today portal) and the Vietnamese Association in Hwaseong on April 20, the “SKHub-Hwaseong O-35 Championship 2025” drew the participation of eight teams comprising Vietnamese nationals over the age of 35 currently residing in the RoK. The event was backed by nine Vietnamese and Korean businesses, with total prizes amounting to more than 2.4 million KRW (nearly 1,700 USD).
Speaking at the event, Director of the Hwaseong Foreign Residents Support Centre Son Nyeong Hee praised the players for their passionate performance and competitive spirit. She also encouraged the teams to continue spreading the values of solidarity, sportsmanship, and community engagement through football.
The Vietnamese football scene in the RoK has seen remarkable growth, now boasting nearly 100 amateur teams. Every year, the Vietnam Football Association in the RoK organises two major tournaments, gathering around 30 teams and over 1,500 participants, along with numerous smaller-scale events throughout the year.
The organisers of the O-35 Championship expressed their ambition to turn the event into a recurring fixture, held twice annually in the spring and autumn, ideal seasons for veteran players to take part in friendly competition and deepen community ties./.
