The outstanding results achieved through cooperation between ASEAN sports and South Korea are expected to continue to develop even more strongly in the future. In this regard, this cooperation has had a direct positive impact on Vietnamese sports. This contributes significantly to creating important momentum for the development of regional sports and strengthening the ASEAN-Korea strategic partnership in the coming time.
ASEAN-Korea Cooperation
Cooperation in the field of sports between ASEAN and South Korea is an important part of the socio-cultural partnership, focussing on enhancing people-to-people exchanges and developing sports expertise. These cooperative activities are guided by official documents such as the ASEAN-Korea Action Plan and are implemented through various specific initiatives.
In the field of sports: South Korea, with a strong sports foundation, especially in sports such as football, taekwondo, and archery, has supported ASEAN countries by sending coaches and experts to work there. Conversely, many ASEAN countries' sports teams have travelled to South Korea for training, friendly matches, and intensive training courses.
In addition, South Korea is also actively sharing its experience and technology in sports management, sports science, and sports medicine. This helps ASEAN countries improve the efficiency of training, prevent injuries, and enhance performance in regional and international tournaments.
The Vietnamese and South Korean Ministries of Culture, Sports and Tourism are promoting cooperation in diplomatic relations in areas under the Ministry's management, particularly in the field of sports.
The reality shown that South Korea is one of the esports powerhouses, and in recent times ASEAN countries have been and are learning from South Korea's experience to professionalise this field. The activities include talent exchange, organising training programs, and jointly organising friendly events. South Korean esports associations (such as KeSPA) have signed memorandums of understanding with associations from ASEAN countries (including Vietnam) to promote the development of esports in the region.
The organisation of events and sports exchanges has also yielded positive results. Specifically, South Korea and ASEAN have jointly organised tournaments, centralised training courses, and sports exchange programs to enhance understanding and strengthen friendship between countries in Southeast Asia and South Korea. These events not only provide opportunities for athletes to compete but also serve as a chance for people on both sides to strengthen cultural exchange, contributing to the sustainable development of the ASEAN community.
The impact of ASEAN-South Korea cooperation on Vietnamese sports
The close cooperation between ASEAN and South Korea has created positive and far-reaching impacts, making a significant contribution to the comprehensive development of Vietnamese sports. From improving professional qualifications and developing infrastructure to expanding international exchanges, this relationship is a powerful driving force for Vietnamese sports on their path to global recognition.
One of the prominent cooperation programs is the ASEAN-Korea Football Interpersonal Exchange and Leadership Development (FIELD). This initiative is funded by the ASEAN-Korea Cooperation Fund (AKCF), with a budget of approximately USD 3.8 million for the period 2022–2025. The program is jointly implemented by the Korea Football Association (KFA) and universities and sports training organisations in Seoul.
FIELD aims to enhance the professional capacity and leadership skills of coaches, experts, and young players from ASEAN countries. The courses focus on various areas: from tactics, physical training, sports medicine, to data analysis in Football. Additionally, the program provides opportunities for ASEAN football teams to train, play friendly matches, and experience the professional football environment in South Korea.
South Korea supports Vietnamese sports in the fields of sports medicine technology transfer and IT in high-performance training and competition organisation.
Vietnam is one of the ASEAN countries that directly get benefits from these cooperation initiatives. In 2024, the national men's football team had an extended training camp in South Korea, as part of the exchange and cooperation activities between the VFF and the KFA. The results obtained from this training camp are that the national men's football team will experience modern training methods and play friendly matches against many K-League clubs. Besides, experts and players from the national football team highly appreciate the training camp as it has helped players improve their physical fitness, better understand tactical requirements, and create a professional atmosphere before an important tournament.
From an external perspective, these activities also help connect the VFF with the KFA and strengthen the position of Vietnamese football in the region. Additionally, Vietnam's participation in official ASEAN forums on sports (such as SOMS – ASEAN Senior Officials on Sports) also affirms Vietnam's proactive role in regional cooperation.
Besides, cooperation between ASEAN and South Korea, particularly in the field of sports, has brought significant positive impacts to Vietnamese sports. This cooperation is demonstrated through exchange programs, training, and technical support, contributing to the improvement of professional qualifications, infrastructure development, and the expansion of horizons for Vietnamese sports.
Coach Park Hang-seo (left) and Kim Sang-sik (right) have made significant contributions to the cooperation between Vietnam and South Korea, especially in the field of football.
Specifically, regarding the work to improve the professional qualifications of athletes and coaches: In recent times, South Korea has sent many experts to Vietnam to share their experience and transfer technology in high-performance training and competition organisation, as well as provide strategic development advice in South Korea's strong sports such as football, shooting, archery, taekwondo and others.
A prime example is Coach Park Hang Seo, who created a golden era for Vietnamese football with resounding achievements. His arrival not only brought success on the field but also changed the mindset and approach to football in Vietnam. And now, his successor, Coach Kim Sang-sik, is also making significant marks and historical milestones for Vietnamese football.
In particular, over the past time, technical and financial support from South Korea has brought and is bringing positive changes to Vietnamese sports, most notably through investment in modern equipment, the development of sports medicine systems, and the application of performance analysis technology. These contributions not only help improve the professional level of athletes but also lay a solid foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnamese sports in the future. This cooperation is a clear demonstration of the good and effective relationship between the two countries in the field of sports.
Typically, through cooperation programs, especially in Korea's strong sports such as Taekwondo, Archery, and Athletics, many training centres in Vietnam have received support in specialised training equipment (standard mats, personal performance measurement and monitoring devices, etc.).
Korean sports medicine experts have come to Vietnam to conduct training courses and thematic seminars on the diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries, sports nutrition, and physical therapy. Many Vietnamese sports doctors and technicians have the opportunity to study in South Korea and access the most advanced techniques.
In addition, Vietnam has gained access to advanced performance analysis software and systems (collecting data on movement, physical fitness, tactics, and psychology) for athletes from South Korea.
Alongside providing the technology, Korean experts also directly guided and trained Vietnamese specialists and coaches on how to operate and effectively utilise these analysis systems, ensuring the sustainability of the cooperation projects.
Huyen Trang