Thailand–Vietnam football rivalry
International sporting rivalry
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The football rivalry between Vietnam and Thailand is considered by many as a major sporting rivalry in Southeast Asia. Including the records of the South Vietnam (according to FIFA),[4][5] both sides have faced each other in 59 matches since 1956, with Vietnam winning 25, Thailand 22 and 12 resulting in a draw. As one of the most popular rivalries in Southeast Asia, matches between Thailand and Vietnam often attract huge attention from the media and supporters in both countries.[1][2][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]
Southeast Asia (AFF)
Thailand
VietnamFormerly
South VietnamApril 1956
Friendly
South Vietnam 2–1 Thailand
as Vietnam
Thailand 3–1 Vietnam
(Chiang Mai, Thailand; 10 December 1995)
Tension between Thailand and Vietnam players in the 2024 ASEAN Championship final | |
| Other names | Southeast Asian El Clásico[1][2][3] |
|---|---|
| Location | Asia (AFC) Southeast Asia (AFF) |
| Teams | Thailand Vietnam Formerly South Vietnam |
| First meeting | as South Vietnam April 1956 Friendly South Vietnam 2–1 Thailand as Vietnam Thailand 3–1 Vietnam (Chiang Mai, Thailand; 10 December 1995) |
| Latest meeting | 5 January 2025 Thailand 2–3 Vietnam |
| Statistics | |
| Total meetings | 59 |
| Top scorer | Natipong Sritong-In (6) |
All-time series | Thailand: 22 Draw: 12 Vietnam: 25 |
Largest victory | as South Vietnam Thailand 0–5 South Vietnam 14 December 1967 as Vietnam Thailand 4–0 Vietnam 16 December 1995 Thailand 4–0 Vietnam 27 December 2002 |
Largest goal scoring | as South Vietnam South Vietnam 5–2 Thailand 19 August 1967 as Vietnam Thailand 4–2 Vietnam 13 September 1996 |
  Thailand Vietnam | |
Overview
The Thailand and Vietnam national football teams first faced each other after Vietnamese reunification at the 1995 SEA Games in Chiang Mai,[16] following earlier encounters during the South Vietnam era. Competitions between the two countries' teams have since developed into a fierce sporting rivalry, influenced by a strong sense of nationalism on both sides. This has at times erupted into violence, notably at the 2015 AFF U-19 Youth Championship in Vientiane.[6]
Historically, Thailand is the most successful side in Southeast Asian men's football, winning a total of 7 AFF Championship titles as opposed to Vietnam's 3 (as of 2025). Since the 21st century, Thailand has also qualified for the AFC Asian Cup more times than Vietnam, although the latter achieved better overall performances in two of the 3 editions they managed to qualify for.[17] During the 2007 AFC Asian Cup Vietnam became the only host country to reach the knockout phase after three other hosts: Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia were all eliminated in the group stage. In the 2019 edition, Vietnam reached the quarterfinals while Thailand was knocked out in the round of 16.[6][18][19][20]
Despite being termed a "rivalry" by the media,[15][21][22][23][24] encounters between Thailand and Vietnam since their first meeting in 1956 have been characterized by shifting periods of dominance, while remaining broadly balanced overall. During the early period, Thailand had an inferior record against South Vietnam,[25] losing 20 out of 28 matches and winning only 5. However, after a unified Vietnam returned to international football in 1991, Thailand established a prolonged period of dominance until 2016, recording 14 wins, 5 draws, and only 2 losses. Since late 2017, the rivalry has become more closely contested, with 3 wins each and 4 draws in 10 matches (as of 2025). The most recent confrontation between these two teams took place in the 2024 ASEAN Championship final, where Vietnam won both legs with a 5–3 aggregate score (2–1 in the first leg and 3–2 in the second leg).[26][27]
There have been memorable matches for both sides in the rivalry, including the 2008 AFF Championship final, when Vietnam's 2–1 victory in the first leg in Bangkok set them up for their first-ever regional title, which they secured after a 1–1 draw in Hanoi in the second leg,[15][28] and Thailand's 3–0 victory in the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification.[29]
History
South Vietnamese dominance (1956–1975)
Following the division of Vietnam in 1954, the Republic of Vietnam national team served as Vietnam's representative in matches against Thailand until 1975, as North Vietnam primarily played against other communist countries and never faced Thailand.[30]
The first friendlies between the two sides in April 1956 saw South Vietnam record 2–1 and 3–1 victories over Thailand, respectively, marking the beginning of their competitive rivalry.[31]
One of the earliest significant encounters between the two sides came at the inaugural Southeast Asian Peninsular Games in Bangkok on 13 December 1959. South Vietnam defeated Thailand 4–0 in the group stage and, four days later, 3–1 in the final to win the gold medal.[32][33]
Further encounters throughout the 1960s reinforced South Vietnam's dominance, including a 3–0 victory over Thailand in the 1964 AFC Asian Cup qualification on 14 December 1963 in Saigon and a 5–0 victory over Thailand in the semi-final of the 1967 SEAP Games on 14 December 1967 in Bangkok.[31] Thailand nevertheless enjoyed occasional successes, including a 2–1 victory in the group stage of the 1965 SEAP Games in Kuala Lumpur, followed by a 2–0 win in the semi-final of the same tournament.[34]
The pattern persisted into the early 1970s, with South Vietnam generally maintaining the advantage over Thailand. Thailand's most significant success during this period came on 21 March 1975, when they defeated South Vietnam 4–0 in Bangkok during the 1976 AFC Asian Cup qualification. The match also marked the final meeting between the two sides before the reunification of Vietnam.[31]
Thai dominance (1995–2016)
In 1991, Vietnam returned to international football. The Thailand and Vietnam national football teams first met in the post-reunification era at the 1995 SEA Games in Chiang Mai, where Vietnam suffered a 3–1 defeat in the group stage on 10 December 1995. Six days later, they suffered a 4–0 defeat to Thailand in the final of that edition of the SEA Games.[7] During this period, Thailand generally held the upper hand over Vietnam, with notable victories including a 4–0 victory over Vietnam in the semi-final of the 2002 AFF Championship in Jakarta,[7] which remains Vietnam's heaviest defeat in ASEAN Championship history, and a 3–0 win in Hanoi during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification. [29] Despite this, Vietnam also recorded several significant victories, including a 3–0 win over Thailand in the semi-final of the 1998 AFF Championship,[35] which also remains Thailand's heaviest defeat in ASEAN Championship history, and a 2–1 win over Thailand in Bangkok in the first leg of the 2008 AFF Championship final, which helped Vietnam win the 2008 AFF Championship following a 1–1 draw in the second leg, secured by Lê Công Vinh's goal in the 90+3th minute.[36]
A rivalry of equals (2017–present)
In late 2017, the appointment of Park Hang-seo as head coach marked a significant turning point for Vietnam's national football team.[37] Vietnam recorded its first victory over Thailand in 11 years with a 1–0 win at the 2019 King's Cup in Chang Arena thanks to a late goal by Nguyễn Anh Đức.[38] Other notable encounters in this period included the two matches during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in 2019, both of which ended in goalless draws.[39][40] In the semi-finals of the 2020 AFF Championship, Thailand won 2–0 on aggregate, with both goals coming in the first leg through Chanathip Songkrasin.[41] The two sides met again in the 2022 AFF Championship final, where Thailand won 3–2 on aggregate, with Theerathon Bunmathan scoring the decisive goal in the second leg at Thammasat Stadium.[42] The two sides then met in the 2024 ASEAN Championship final, where Vietnam won 5–3 on aggregate after winning both legs, with Nguyễn Xuân Son scoring a brace in the first leg in Việt Trì and Nguyễn Hai Long scoring a late goal in the second at Rajamangala Stadium.[43][44]
List of matches
Thailand vs. South Vietnam
| # | Date | Home | Result | Away | Venue | Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 1956 | South Vietnam | 2–1 | Thailand | Saigon | Friendly |
| 2 | April 1956 | South Vietnam | 3–1 | Thailand | ||
| 3 | 13 December 1959 | Thailand | 0–4 | South Vietnam | Bangkok | SEAP Games 1959 (group stage) |
| 4 | 17 December 1959 | Thailand | 1–3 | South Vietnam | SEAP Games 1959 (gold medal match) | |
| 5 | 16 August 1961 | South Vietnam | 2–1 | Thailand | Singapore | Friendly |
| 6 | 11 December 1961 | Thailand | 0–0 | South Vietnam | Rangoon | SEAP Games 1961 (group stage) |
| 7 | 16 December 1961 | Thailand | 1–1 | South Vietnam | SEAP Games 1961 (bronze medal match) | |
| 8 | 28 October 1962 | South Vietnam | 0–1 | Thailand | Saigon | 1962 Independence Cup (group stage) |
| 9 | 17 August 1963 | South Vietnam | 3–2 | Thailand | Kuala Lumpur | 1963 Merdeka Tournament |
| 10 | 14 December 1963 | South Vietnam | 3–0 | Thailand | Saigon | 1964 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 11 | 13 November 1965 | South Vietnam | 4–0 | Thailand | 1965 Independence Cup | |
| 12 | 15 December 1965 | Thailand | 2–1 | South Vietnam | Kuala Lumpur | SEAP Games 1965 (group stage) |
| 13 | 18 December 1965 | Thailand | 2–0 | South Vietnam | SEAP Games 1965 (semi-final) | |
| 14 | 5 November 1966 | South Vietnam | 4–1 | Thailand | Saigon | 1966 Independence Cup |
| 15 | 24 March 1967 | Thailand | 0–1 | South Vietnam | Hong Kong | 1968 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 16 | 19 August 1967 | South Vietnam | 5–2 | Thailand | Ipoh | 1967 Merdeka Tournament |
| 17 | 14 December 1967 | Thailand | 0–5 | South Vietnam | Bangkok | SEAP Games 1967 (semi-final) |
| 18 | 15 August 1968 | Thailand | 2–3 | South Vietnam | Ipoh | 1968 Merdeka Tournament |
| 19 | 1 November 1970 | South Vietnam | 1–0 | Thailand | Saigon | 1970 Independence Cup (final) |
| 20 | 13 December 1970 | Thailand | 1–0 | South Vietnam | Bangkok | 1970 Asian Games (group stage) |
| 21 | 10 August 1971 | South Vietnam | 4–2 | Thailand | Kuala Lumpur | 1971 Merdeka Tournament (group stage) |
| 22 | 26 August 1971 | South Vietnam | 2–1 | Thailand | Singapore | 1971 Pesta Sukan Cup (semi-final) |
| 23 | 30 October 1971 | South Vietnam | 3–0 | Thailand | Saigon | 1974 Independence Cup (semi-final) |
| 24 | 11 November 1971 | Thailand | 0–1 | South Vietnam | Bangkok | 1971 King's Cup (group stage) |
| 25 | 18 December 1971 | Thailand | 0–0 | South Vietnam | Kuala Lumpur | SEAP Games 1971 (bronze medal match) |
| 26 | 16 May 1973 | South Vietnam | 1–0 | Thailand | Seoul | 1974 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 27 | 9 November 1974 | South Vietnam | 3–2 | Thailand | Saigon | 1974 Independence Cup |
| 28 | 21 March 1975 | Thailand | 4–0 | South Vietnam | Bangkok | 1976 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
Thailand vs. Vietnam
| # | Date | Home | Result | Away | Venue | Tournament |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10 December 1995 | Thailand | 3–1 | Vietnam | Chiang Mai | SEA Games 1995 (group stage) |
| 2 | 16 December 1995 | Thailand | 4–0 | Vietnam | SEA Games 1995 (gold medal match) | |
| 3 | 13 September 1996 | Thailand | 4–2 | Vietnam | Kallang | 1996 AFF Championship (semi-final) |
| 4 | 16 October 1997 | Thailand | 2–1 | Vietnam | Jakarta | SEA Games 1997 (semi-final) |
| 5 | 3 September 1998 | Vietnam | 3–0 | Thailand | Hanoi | 1998 AFF Championship (semi-final) |
| 6 | 5 August 1999 | Vietnam | 0–0 | Thailand | Bandar Seri Begawan | SEA Games 1999 (group stage) |
| 7 | 14 August 1999 | Thailand | 2–0 | Vietnam | SEA Games 1999 (gold medal match) | |
| 8 | 8 December 2002 | Thailand | 2–1 | Vietnam | Bangkok | Friendly |
| 9 | 27 December 2002 | Thailand | 4–0 | Vietnam | Jakarta | 2002 AFF Championship (semi-final) |
| 10 | 29 October 2006 | Vietnam | 2–2 | Thailand | Hanoi | Agribank Cup 2006 |
| 11 | 24 December 2006 | Thailand | 2–1 | Vietnam | Bangkok | 2006 King's Cup (group stage) |
| 12 | 30 December 2006 | Thailand | 3–1 | Vietnam | 2006 King's Cup (final) | |
| 13 | 24 January 2007 | Vietnam | 0–2 | Thailand | Hanoi | 2007 AFF Championship (first leg semi-final) |
| 14 | 28 January 2007 | Thailand | 0–0 | Vietnam | Bangkok | 2007 AFF Championship (second leg semi-final) |
| 15 | 16 November 2008 | Vietnam | 2–2 | Thailand | Hanoi | 2008 T&T Cup[45] |
| 16 | 6 December 2008 | Thailand | 2–0 | Vietnam | Phuket | 2008 AFF Championship (group stage) |
| 17 | 24 December 2008 | Thailand | 1–2 | Vietnam | Bangkok | 2008 AFF Championship (first-leg final) |
| 18 | 28 December 2008 | Vietnam | 1–1 | Thailand | Hanoi | 2008 AFF Championship (second-leg final) |
| 19 | 30 November 2012 | Thailand | 3–1 | Vietnam | Bangkok | 2012 AFF Championship (group stage) |
| 20 | 24 May 2015 | Thailand | 1–0 | Vietnam | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification | |
| 21 | 13 October 2015 | Vietnam | 0–3[46] | Thailand | Hanoi | |
| 22 | 5 June 2019 | Thailand | 0–1[47] | Vietnam | Buriram | 2019 King's Cup (semi-final) |
| 23 | 5 September 2019 | Thailand | 0–0[39] | Vietnam | Pathum Thani | 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| 24 | 19 November 2019 | Vietnam | 0–0[40] | Thailand | Hanoi | |
| 25 | 23 December 2021 | Vietnam | 0–2[48] | Thailand | Kallang | 2020 AFF Championship (first leg semi-finals) |
| 26 | 26 December 2021 | Thailand | 0–0 | Vietnam | 2020 AFF Championship (second leg semi-finals) | |
| 27 | 13 January 2023 | Vietnam | 2–2 | Thailand | Hanoi | 2022 AFF Championship (first leg final) |
| 28 | 16 January 2023 | Thailand | 1–0[49] | Vietnam | Pathum Thani | 2022 AFF Championship (second leg final) |
| 29 | 10 September 2024 | Vietnam | 1–2[50] | Thailand | Hanoi | 2024 LPBank Cup |
| 30 | 2 January 2025 | Vietnam | 2–1[51] | Thailand | Việt Trì | 2024 ASEAN Championship (first leg final) |
| 31 | 5 January 2025 | Thailand | 2–3 | Vietnam | Bangkok | 2024 ASEAN Championship (second leg final) |
Statistics
Honours
| Vietnam | Competition | Thailand |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Asia, Asia and Worldwide | ||
| 3 | ASEAN Championship | 7 |
| 1 | Southeast Asian Games (until 1999) | 9 |
| Best: Fourth place | AFC Asian Cup | Best: Third place |
| Best: Fourth place | Asian Games (until 1998) | Best: Fourth place |
| Best: Qualified round 3 | FIFA World Cup | Best: Qualified round 3 |
| – | Summer Olympics (until 1988) | Best: Group stage |
Top scorers
- As of 5 January 2025
Players in bold are still active for the national team
Women's matches
The two nations also have a notable rivalry in women's football, as both teams have historically been among the strongest in the region.[52] In 38 meetings, Vietnam has won 20 matches, Thailand 9, and 9 have ended in draws.
Statistics
Honours
| Vietnam | Competition | Thailand |
|---|---|---|
| Southeast Asia, Asia and Worldwide | ||
| 3 | ASEAN Women's Championship | 4 |
| 8 | Southeast Asian Games | 5 |
| Best: Quarterfinals | AFC Women's Asian Cup | Best: Champion |
| Best: Fourth place | Asian Games | Best: Quarterfinals |
| Best: Group stage | FIFA Women's World Cup | Best: Group stage |
| – | Summer Olympics | – |
Top scorers
- As of 19 August 2025
Players in bold are still active for the national team
| Rank | Player | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huỳnh Như |
5 |
| Nisa Romyen | ||
| 2 | Nguyễn Thị Minh Nguyệt |
4 |
| Kanjana Sungngoen | ||
| 4 | Phạm Hải Yến |
3 |
| Nguyễn Thị Tuyết Dung | ||
| Nguyễn Thị Liễu | ||
| Pitsamai Sornsai |