Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked authorities to make policy for the development of women's football after the historical advancement to the World Cup that the national team made a few days ago.

Vietnam's PM Pham Minh Chinh meet women players in Hanoi on Feb 10. Photos: Nhat Bac/VGP

Authorized agencies need to have a proper policy that ensures good income and welfare to female players during and after their football career, the PM requested high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Feb 10.

Good policy would enable them to dedicate themselves to football for the sake of both short- and long-term development strategies, Chinh said at the meeting to congratulate the team shortly after they reached the homeland after the successful AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 held in India.

He said pursuing a football career has cost women players bravery, efforts, prejudice, and sacrifice in personal life and good policy must be made to help them focus on the professional career. 

He said authorized agencies must understand and listen to the thoughts and aspirations of the players to ensure that their lives are guaranteed, especially after their retirement, noting that they are those who bring honor to the nation.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Finance will be responsible for setting up a women's football fund for long-term development.

PM Pham Minh Chinh (L) and Heac Coach Mai Duc Chung.

At the meeting, Head Coach of the National Women Football Team Mai Duc Chung shared that the team came close to missing the tournament in India between mid-January to Feb 6 due to Covid-19. Up to 17 out of 23 players were infected with Covid-19. There was a time that only three players were negative for Covid-19. The situation put the team at risk of leaving the tournament, the 71-year-old coach said.

Meanwhile, Captain Huynh Nhu described the participation in the tournament as very stressful and cost the whole team lots of effort.

But it’s strong will that keeps them going forward.

Earlier, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc said the women players are good as they are descendants of the Trung Sisters.

The team will join four Asian rivals China, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines in the FIFA Women World Cup to be held in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.

So far, domestic donors have pledged an amount worth VND20 billion (US$869,000) for the team. 

PM Pham Minh Chinh, Head Coach Mai Duc Chung and prominent players receiving Labor Order, one of the most honorable titles in Vietnam.