The Vietnam Football Federation and Vinmec: A Joint Journey to Elevate Sports Medicine in Vietnam to the Asian Level

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In April 2025, Vinmec and the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) officially signed a comprehensive and in-depth cooperation agreement for the 2025–2028 period. This partnership goes beyond providing healthcare for national team players; it also encompasses training and research initiatives aimed at holistically advancing the quality of sports medicine in Vietnam.

Vinmec Presented 8 Reports Covering Various Topics in Sports Medicine at the Conference
Vinmec Presented 8 Reports Covering Various Topics in Sports Medicine at the Conference

Mr. Nguyễn Văn Phú – Member of the AFC Medical Committee and General Secretary of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) – stated that the collaboration between VFF and Vinmec over the past four years has laid a solid foundation, especially following the successful establishment of an AFC-accredited Center of Excellence. Vinmec's healthcare system has actively supported treatment for all national teams, reinforcing trust in the structured development of sports medicine in Vietnamese football.

Just one year after the Vinmec Orthopedic Trauma & Sports Medicine Center was recognized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as a Sports Medicine Center of Excellence, VFF and Vinmec have jointly developed essential foundations to build a modern sports medicine ecosystem, aiming to meet regional and international standards.

Prof. Dr. Trần Trung Dũng – Director of the Vinmec Orthopedic Trauma & Sports Medicine Center and Head of the Medical Committee of the Vietnam Football Federation – shared: “As Vietnamese sports increasingly integrate globally, our sports medicine must evolve accordingly. This presents a valuable opportunity for collaboration and professional advancement. Three key pillars define our mission as a Center of Excellence: training, research, and clinical expertise sharing. Strengthening collaboration—especially in research aimed at enhancing athletic performance—is crucial to driving sports medicine forward.”

Mr. Nguyễn Văn Phú and Prof. Dr. Trần Trung Dũng at the 8th AFC Sports Medicine Conference
Mr. Nguyễn Văn Phú and Prof. Dr. Trần Trung Dũng at the 8th AFC Sports Medicine Conference

VFF Proactively Builds Resources, Standardizes Vietnam's Sports Medicine System

Since 2022, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has identified player healthcare and injury recovery as one of its top priorities for improving the nation’s football performance. In this mission, the VFF has partnered with the Vinmec Orthopedic Trauma & Sports Medicine Center to implement several key initiatives:

  • Comprehensive medical support for all national teams under the VFF, including U16, senior men’s and women’s teams, and futsal squads.
  • Successful treatment of key players such as Nguyễn Xuân Sơn, Nguyễn Văn Toản, Nguyễn Văn Toàn, Thái Thị Thảo, Chương Thị Kiều, Lê Văn Xuân, and Nguyễn Tiến Linh—enabling rapid return to competition.
  • Training and capacity building through workshops and programs for medical staff from professional clubs, women’s football, futsal, and more—covering both prevention and treatment of sports injuries.
  • Scientific research development, with active participation in international conferences and contributions toward regional standards in sports medicine.

Vietnam’s Strong Presence at the 8th AFC Sports Medicine Conference

At the 8th AFC Sports Medicine Conference (July 21–25, 2025, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia), out of more than 200 scientific reports presented, Vinmec contributed eight studies—a leading number among Southeast Asian nations. These reports focused on holistic and personalized treatment approaches for athletes, integrating key areas of modern sports medicine such as biomechanics, rehabilitation, and the application of new technologies in diagnosis and treatment. The goal: faster recovery, injury prevention, and improved performance.

One standout study was titled: "Knee Biomechanics in Action: Understanding the Synergistic Role of Flexion and Valgus Angles in Male Football Players during Dynamic Athletic Movements." This research, the first of its kind in Southeast Asia, analyzed the relationship between knee flexion and valgus angles during movement to assess ACL injury risks in football players—providing valuable insights for training and injury prediction.

Other notable presentations included: "Application of AI in motion analysis to predict injury risks". Personalized rehabilitation protocols based on motion data from the Motion Lab, showing improved outcomes in musculoskeletal injury recovery

“This conference brought together experts from AFC, FIFA, UEFA, and leading global institutions in sports medicine. This year, Vietnam—specifically Vinmec—presented eight reports spanning multiple domains of sports medicine. It marks a significant leap forward. In just a short time since achieving AFC Center of Excellence status, we’ve made strong progress in both research and clinical practice to elevate Vietnam’s elite football,” – shared Mr. Nguyễn Văn Phú.

One Year After AFC Accreditation: Shaping a National Sports Medicine System

In May 2024, Vinmec was officially recognized by the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) as a Sports Medicine Center of Excellence—the highest certification for medical facilities serving football players across Asia. To date, only 13 centers in Asia hold this designation, signaling leadership in clinical research, professional training, injury prevention, and the application of cutting-edge sports medicine technologies.

Over the past year: More than 15 national players underwent surgery, Over 60 athletes completed post-injury rehabilitation following AFC standards. The VFF and Vinmec formalized a comprehensive partnership (2025–2028) focusing not only on player care but also on advanced training, research, and the use of international-standard technology in sports injury treatment.

This ensures that Vietnamese national teams receive optimal medical support during major AFC and FIFA tournaments, while also expanding research and education in line with global standards.

Laying the Foundation for a Sustainable Sports Medicine Ecosystem

Vinmec has led the way in adopting cutting-edge technology, including: Motion Analysis Labs, 3D anatomical mapping and robotic navigation, 3D modeling in the treatment of complex injuries like ACL tears.

Beyond its own clinical practice, Vinmec serves as a hub of expertise and knowledge sharing. Through training programs, workshops, and medical conferences, it aims to elevate the quality of care across clubs, hospitals, and sports organizations nationwide. This creates a professional environment where sports physicians can continuously update their knowledge and operate with modern, standardized equipment aligned with both national and international benchmarks.

Vinmec is steadily building a comprehensive sports medicine ecosystem—where healthcare, movement science, and related disciplines are deeply interconnected. With its leadership role, Vinmec hopes to establish a robust network for collaboration and knowledge sharing, thereby lifting Vietnamese sports medicine toward a modern, sustainable, and internationally competitive future.

One year after receiving AFC Center of Excellence status, the close cooperation between VFF and Vinmec has already produced clear results in treatment, training, and research. These achievements are laying the groundwork for Vietnam to gradually reach international standards in sports medicine.

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