Culture - Sports

Manchester Reds beat Vietnam All-Stars in friendly

Footballing legend Michael Owen scored twice as the Manchester Reds took a 4-2 win over Vietnam All-Stars in a friendly match in the Vietnam-UK Football Festival on June 27, part of sporting activities marking the 52nd anniversary of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and the United Kingdom.

The Manchester Reds takes a 4-2 win over the Vietnam All-Stars in a friendly match, June 27, 2025. (Photo: VNA)
The Manchester Reds takes a 4-2 win over the Vietnam All-Stars in a friendly match, June 27, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Da Nang (VNA) – Footballing legend Michael Owen scored twice as the Manchester Reds took a 4-2 win over the Vietnam All-Stars in a friendly match on June 27, held as part of the Vietnam-UK Football Festival. The event marked the 52nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the UK.

The match was a rendezvous for footballing legends from Manchester United, including Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Michael Owen, Dwight Yorke, Teddy Sheringham and Wes Brown, national team alongside former Vietnamese national team stars.

Prior to the match, the ex-stars of the Red Devils took part in a series of festival activitiesin Da Nang City, including playing golf, a gathering with local MU fans, and a junior football tournament.

Just seven minutes into the game, former England and Manchester United striker Michael Owen opened the scoring with a strike from from Gary David Lockyer’s right-wing cross.

He doubled the lead in the 27th minute with a penalty kick, giving the Manchester Reds a 2-0 advantage.

Vietnamese strikers Van Quyet, Cong Vinh and Le Huynh Duc had several clear chances to equalise the score in the first half but were unable to convert.

Ryan Giggs had a breakthrough in the 18-yard box, but his shot narrowly missed the targegt.

Wes Brown delivered a standout performance, thwarting many attacks from the Vietnamese side and helping maintain the Reds's 2-0 lead going into halftime.

laodong-man-vn2.jpg
The event marks the 52nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the UK.

In the second half, Le Huynh Duc pulled one back for the hosts, converting a close-range effort from a precise cross by Van Quyet to beat goalkeeper David Aziaya.

However, Gary and Thomas Borders added two more goals to extend the visitors' lead.

Striker Nguyen Viet Thang scored a consolation goal for the Vietnam All-Stars in the 80th minute.

Vietnamese fans packed the stadium to witness some of Manchester United's most iconic players in action, making the friendly a memorable highlight of the Vietnam-UK Footbal Festival./.

VNA
#Michael Owen #Vietnam-UK Football Festival #Manchester Reds Da Nang
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

Ex-football stars from Manchester United (MU) and the UK arrives in Da Nang on June 25, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Da Nang hosts legendary Manchester United players

As part of the Vietnam – UK Football Festival 2025, legendary MU players and young Vietnamese players will engage in the Manchester Reds vs Vietnam All Stars friendly, set to take place at Hoa Xuan Stadium on June 27.

See more

The poster of the Vietnam Circus Federation's special performance dedicated to soldiers who devoted and sacrificed their lives in safeguarding the nation's borders. (Photo: Vietnam Circus Federation)

Wide range of artistic programmes to commemorate war invalids and martyrs day

Alongside tribute activities nationwide to mark the 79th anniversary of War Invalids and Martyrs Day (July 27, 1947–2026), arts organisations and local authorities are staging special performances honouring fallen heroes, war invalids, sick veterans and people who rendered meritorious service to the revolution, while promoting the tradition of gratitude, patriotism and national pride.

At the opening of the first-ever Cultures of the World Festival in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam charts course for regional culture, creativity hub status by 2045

The blueprint seeks to deepen international cultural integration, export Vietnamese values and absorb the essence of world cultures. The end goal is an advanced culture steeped in national identity, deployed as a soft power to fuel rapid, sustainable growth, lift Vietnam’s global standing, and add a distinct thread to the tapestry of human civilisation.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van, Chairman of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, speaks at plenary session of the 48th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in Busan on July 20, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam proposes priorities to strengthen international cooperation on world heritage conservation

On behalf of Vietnam, the deputy minister proposed three priorities of strengthening international cooperation and capacity-building for member states, particularly developing countries; promoting science-based conservation that strikes a balance between preservation and development while placing local communities at the centre; and enhancing coordination among relevant conventions and programmes, alongside the responsible application of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in heritage conservation.

Claudia Roth, a member of the German Bundestag, visits the Vietnamese booth at the festival. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam attends multicultural festival in Germany as guest of honour

The Vietnamese booth attracted a large number of visitors with traditional dishes such as "nem cuon" (fresh spring rolls) and "bun cha" (grilled pork with vermicelli), along with displays of ao dai (traditional long dress), conical hats and cultural performances imbued with Vietnamese identity. These activities helped spread Vietnamese culture and foster understanding and closer ties between the Vietnamese community, German residents and international friends.

Representatives of countries and territories participating in the Asian Pencak Silat Championship. Photo: VNA)

10th Asian Pencak Silat Championship opens in Dong Nai

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Thi Ngoc Loan said the championship offers athletes an opportunity to compete in a spirit of fairness and sportsmanship while promoting exchanges, mutual understanding and friendship among participating countries.

A special art performance at the Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2026 opens, promoting sustainable marine development

Having been held 10 times, the Khanh Hoa Sea Festival has evolved beyond a local celebration into an event of national significance in culture, economy and external relations. This year's edition continues to honour Vietnam's maritime cultural heritage while promoting tourism, the marine economy and international integration.

The golf course at NovaWorld Phan Thiet will host international tournaments during Sports Festival 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Around 7,000 athletes to compete at Sports Festival 2026

This year's festival will feature 12 sports, introducing several new events such as national youth triathlon and beach tennis championship, while expanding its international scope by bringing together clubs, athletes, and police forces from ASEAN countries for events such as the ASEAN Police Open Golf Tournament 2026.

A performance of Cheo Tau folk singing, a distinctive cultural tradition of O Dien commune in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Beyond preservation: Unlocking the value of Vietnam's heritage

Dr. Nguyen Thu Hanh, Director of the Centre for Research and Development of Vietnam Cultural Industry (SDCI), said Vietnam has traditionally focused on preserving heritage rather than creating new value from it. The key obstacle, she noted, is the weak connection between heritage and science, technology, education, design, communications and the marketplace, limiting its economic, educational and social impact despite the country's abundant cultural resources.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

Film screening in Vientiane highlights Vietnam-Laos strategic cohesion

A screening of the special Vietnamese feature film Mua Do (Red Rain) was held in Vientiane on July 16 to mark the 49th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18, 1977–2026), reaffirming the two countries' strategic cohesion through cultural exchange.

Artists from the Vietnam National Puppetry Theatre deliver emotionally compelling performances that recreate the rich historical legacy of Thang Long–Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader's directives chart new course for culture-led development: experts

Artists and cultural experts shared the view that the top leader's guidance at the second meeting of the Central Steering Committee for the Development of Vietnamese Culture not only reviewed the initial implementation of the Politburo's Resolution No. 80-NQ/TW but also identified four major gaps requiring urgent action and three strategic shifts to unlock the full potential of culture.