Le Cong Vinh's Coaching Internship in Japan: A Strategic Step for Vietnamese Football's Future

On the morning of September 6, 2026, on the training ground of Hokuriku University, a tall Vietnamese man stood in the center of a circle of young players. He held a tactics board, guiding every movement. That man was Le Cong Vinh – a legend of Vietnamese football, now wearing the hat of a coaching intern. I stood one and a half meters away, recording every whistle, every sound of cleats on grass. Some evenings I chose to stay at the pitch instead of going home, and in return I got a story no one had told. The context of this story began in June 2026, when Le Cong Vinh decided to pursue the AFC A License – an advanced coaching certificate issued by the Asian Football Confederation. Unlike many former Vietnamese players who choose to study domestically, Cong Vinh chose Japan. His reason: he wanted to access modern methodology, with a higher instructor-student ratio and an updated curriculum. With support from VFF Technical Director Koshida Takeshi, he was arranged to intern at Hokuriku University, whose team had just reached the final of the Japan University Soccer Championship. This is a truly competitive environment, not a simulated training ground. Cong Vinh's journey comprises three phases. Phase 1 took place in June 2026, Phase 2 in September, and Phase 3 will be completed in December. Each phase focuses on core tactical themes: attacking, defending, and counter-attacking. These themes may seem basic, but for a coach in training, they are the foundation for building a personal philosophy. Cong Vinh not only observed; he directly designed and conducted training sessions. I witnessed him dividing the squad, adjusting each player's position, and constantly shouting commands in Japanese – a language he had studied intensively for six months. The biggest difference between training in Vietnam and Japan lies in the systematic approach. At Hokuriku, every session has a minute-by-minute plan, documented and evaluated afterward. Cong Vinh must submit reports to JFA instructors – a pressure but also an opportunity to receive professional feedback. I asked him about his feelings, and he said: “In Japan, they teach you how to think, not just how to do. The internship here is not about copying, but about understanding why a drill is designed that way.” That statement reveals the depth of his thinking. However, not everyone agrees. Some experts argue that investing in an A License abroad is a luxury, because domestic certification can still meet basic needs. They contend that many successful coaches worldwide never held the highest license. But Cong Vinh sees it differently: “I don’t want to be just an ordinary coach. I want to bring the best things back to Vietnamese football. And to do that, I have to learn from the best.” This view reflects the aspiration to elevate local coaches, instead of relying forever on foreign experts. I do not take sides; I only record how beer falls and the curses of a generation. But in this story, there is no beer or cursing; only sweat and patience. Cong Vinh scored 51 goals for the national team, won the AFF Cup, yet now he accepts being a student, an observer. That is a lesson in humility that not every former player possesses. Looking ahead, if Cong Vinh completes the A License by April 2027 – and later possibly the Pro License – he will become one of the highest-certified domestic coaches. Can he lead the Vietnam national team? Possibly, but that is far off. For now, he needs to accumulate experience, perhaps as an assistant or youth team coach. More importantly, this journey opens a new path for former Vietnamese players: instead of only becoming commentators or businessmen, they can invest in a structured coaching career. JFA President Mr. Miyamoto once sent a message: “We welcome Le Cong Vinh and hope this cooperation will strengthen Japan-Vietnam football relations.” That is not just courtesy. It is a signal that Vietnamese football is integrating deeper into the Asian football ecosystem. Cong Vinh is the most vivid bridge. Each article is a heartbeat, and I am the beat keeper for a whole river of singing people. I believe Cong Vinh’s heartbeat will echo far.