The year 2025 marks the 30th edition of the Vietnam Golden Ball, coinciding with a year of significant milestones for Vietnamese football:

The national team is battling for a spot at the Asian Cup 2027.
The U23 squad successfully defended their AFF U23 Championship title.
The U23s also secured a ticket to the 2026 AFC U23 Asian Cup Finals.

The awards ceremony is scheduled for late December, shortly after the conclusion of the 33rd SEA Games.
This year’s event introduces a new category: Fan-Favorite Player, which will be selected through online public voting.

Star-studded nominee list released

Organizers have unveiled the shortlist across several categories:

Men’s Golden Ball (QBV Nam)
Women’s Golden Ball (QBV Nữ)
Futsal Golden Ball
Best Foreign Player
Best Young Player (Male and Female)

In the Men’s Golden Ball category, CAHN FC leads with 5 nominees, including Nguyen Filip, Quang Hai, Dinh Bac, Van Thanh, and Cao Pendant Quang Vinh. Hanoi FC follows with 4 players, and Viettel FC (The Cong) with 3.

The list also features many rising U23 stars, such as:

Dinh Bac, Trung Kien (HAGL)
Hieu Minh, Thanh Nhan (PVF-CAND)
Van Thuan, Ngoc My (Thanh Hoa)
Van Khang (Viettel)

Hoang Duc leads the pack

Despite the talent pool, Nguyen Hoang Duc - currently playing for Ninh Binh FC - is widely considered the front-runner. Already a two-time Golden Ball winner, a third win would make him one of the few players in Vietnamese football history to claim a hat-trick of Golden Balls.

In the women’s category, Huynh Nhu is expected to face stiff competition from fellow stars like Khong Thi Hang, Van Su, Thanh Nha, and Kim Thanh.

2025 Vietnam Golden Ball - Men’s Nominee List:

CAHN FC: Nguyen Dinh Bac, Nguyen Filip, Nguyen Quang Hai, Vu Van Thanh, Cao Pendant Quang Vinh
Hanoi FC: Nguyen Thanh Chung, Pham Tuan Hai, Nguyen Hai Long, Do Duy Manh
Viettel FC (The Cong): Truong Tien Anh, Bui Tien Dung, Khuat Van Khang
Nam Dinh FC: Tran Nguyen Manh, Lam Ti Phong, Nguyen Van Vi
Ninh Binh FC: Nguyen Hoang Duc, Dang Van Lam
Hai Phong FC: Trieu Viet Hung, Nguyen Dinh Trieu
PVF-CAND: Nguyen Hieu Minh, Nguyen Thanh Nhan
Binh Duong / CA HCMC: Nguyen Tien Linh
HAGL: Tran Trung Kien

Duy Nguyen