The vibrant movement has spread from primary to high schools, where local leaders, businesses, and parents are backing school tournaments to create meaningful playgrounds for students. These community-driven initiatives have brought a professional touch to what were once small, school-level competitions.
In October, Bong Son Secondary School in Bong Son Ward hosted its first-ever Student Football Tournament, featuring 22 teams from grades 8 and 9, the largest event since two local schools merged. Principal Nguyen Van Minh said the strong support from parents, sponsors, and ward authorities helped elevate the tournament’s scale and spirit.
To enhance the excitement, a professional commentator, Van Son, known for his grassroots football coverage in Quy Nhon, was invited to narrate key matches. Games were livestreamed on the “Hoai Nhon Media” Facebook page, drawing a large online audience. Encouraged by the success, the school plans to expand future tournaments to include younger grades.
Local authorities also played an active role. Nguyen Dinh Chien, Vice Chairman of the Bong Son Ward People’s Committee, said the ward ensured security, logistics, and medical support throughout the event. Parents, too, joined the festivities, Nguyen Khanh Toan, Head of the Parent Association, said the tournament offered families a chance to “immerse themselves in the vibrant sporting atmosphere.”
The event was largely financed by community sponsorships, including An Khang Electronics Co., Ltd. and Thanh Nha Electric Motorcycle Store, which covered all prizes. Pham Tan Dat, an 8th grader and the tournament’s best player, shared: “Winning the championship and being named best player is a big motivation for me to keep training.”
Elsewhere, Hoai Thanh Tay Primary School No. 1 held the Viethome Cup Mini Football Tournament for grades 4 and 5 on November 1. The games took place on a newly built artificial turf field, inaugurated in May 2025 at a cost of over VND 700 million (about USD 28,000). Principal Nguyen Duc Du credited the tournament’s success to strong collaboration between local authorities, sponsors such as Viethome Construction and Architecture Investment Co., Ltd., and enthusiastic parents.
Earlier, Nguyen Du High School No. 1 also hosted its annual Boys’ Student Football Tournament, combining sport with environmental advocacy. Student volunteers promoted recycling and waste sorting under the message: “Go green - small actions, big impact.”
The resurgence of school football in Hoai Nhon, the “land of coconut palms”, has not only fostered teamwork and fitness among students but also laid the groundwork for nurturing young sporting talent. With strong backing from ward authorities, parents, and local enterprises, the region’s school football tradition is poised to flourish.
