Roger Hampel
Photo: Vietnam Football Federation
The Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) and the Vietnamese Football Federation (VFF) have officially renewed their partnership, signing a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will extend their collaboration through 2028. This renewed agreement builds on previous joint efforts to enhance football development in Vietnam, with a strong emphasis on youth training, technical expertise, and broader football infrastructure.
The Deutsche Fußball Liga (DFL) is the governing body responsible for organizing and marketing Germany’s top two professional football leagues – the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga. It plays a crucial role in shaping German football’s global outreach, media rights distribution, and international collaborations, making it one of the most influential football organizations worldwide.
Strengthening Vietnam’s Football Landscape
The renewed partnership underscores the growing relationship between German and Vietnamese football, reinforcing Vietnam’s ambitions to develop its national football teams, coaching structures, and grassroots initiatives. A core element of the agreement is the Bundesliga Dream project, which was introduced to support the training and performance of Vietnam’s young football talents, helping them compete at a higher level on the international stage.
Through this extended collaboration, the DFL and Bundesliga clubs will provide technical, sporting, and medical expertise, assisting Vietnam’s footballing ecosystem with coaching development, medical training, and infrastructure improvements. The growth of women’s football in Vietnam will also be a key focus in the coming years, with German clubs playing a role in supporting the VFF’s efforts.
In return, the VFF will work with the Bundesliga to further strengthen the league’s presence in Vietnam, one of Southeast Asia’s key football markets. This includes expanding Bundesliga’s reach through media partnerships and engaging local fans through targeted marketing activations.
The Role of German Clubs in Vietnam’s Football Growth
The collaboration between German and Vietnamese football has gained momentum in recent years, with several Bundesliga clubs actively engaging with Vietnam’s footballing community.
Key past initiatives include:
• Borussia Dortmund’s friendly match against Vietnam’s men’s national team during the 2022 mid-season Asia Tour.
• RB Leipzig and Eintracht Frankfurt hosting Vietnam’s women’s national team for training camps in 2023 and 2024.
• The launch of the Youth Incubator Project in 2022, a developmental initiative that paved the way for the Bundesliga Dream program.
With Vietnam’s men’s national team recently winning the ASEAN Championship for the third time in history, football is growing rapidly in the country, creating more opportunities for talent development and strategic international partnerships.
Industry Leaders on the New Agreement
Peer Naubert, Managing Director of Bundesliga International and Chief Marketing Officer of DFL, highlighted that the DFL’s global strategy goes beyond broadcasting rights, emphasizing the importance of strong, long-term collaborations with football federations worldwide.
"Our approach is to maintain strong relationships with leagues and associations across the globe, exchanging knowledge and working together to better understand what football means to fans in those countries. This is the foundation of our collaboration, and we look forward to strengthening our ties with the VFF."
Meanwhile, VFF General Secretary Dr. Nguyen Van Phu underscored the significance of this partnership in helping Vietnamese football achieve greater success:
"German football is highly respected worldwide, and our continued cooperation with the DFL will be a valuable asset in the long-term growth of Vietnamese football. By working together, we are not only improving our national teams but also creating new opportunities to connect our footballing cultures."
The Bundesliga’s Commitment to Asian Football
The Bundesliga has long been regarded as the most welcoming European league for Asian players, boasting a history of top Asian footballers who have made their mark in Germany. The league has seen more Asian players than any other top-five European league, from Bum-kun Cha—voted Asian Player of the 20th Century—to modern stars such as Kim Min-Jae (Bayern Munich), Ko Itakura (Borussia Mönchengladbach), and Ritsu Dōan (SC Freiburg).
With DFL’s increasing involvement in Southeast Asia, the renewed MoU with Vietnam signals Germany’s long-term investment in developing football at all levels in the region. The Bundesliga’s initiatives, including the Bundesliga Dream project, are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the future of Vietnamese football, while also strengthening the Bundesliga’s brand presence in one of Asia’s fastest-growing football markets.
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