Hoàng Hên makes a comeback and scores, opening the door wide for the Vietnam national team.

27/10/2025 09:15:00 SportScoop

"Hendrio, when applying for Vietnamese citizenship, what Vietnamese name will you choose? Call me Đỗ Hoàng Hên," Hendrio da Silva told Thể thao & Văn hóa after joining Hanoi FC.

"I want to become a champion many more times, not only in the V-League but also at different levels. I want to wear the Vietnam national team jersey and conquer regional and continental competitions," Hendrio said.

After refusing to renew his contract with Nam Định, Hendrio was determined to join Hanoi FC, the most decorated club in the V-League. A special arrangement was made for players developed at La Masia. Hanoi FC decided not to register Hên as a foreign player in the first half of the 2025/2026 V-League season. This was a strategic sacrifice.

As reported by Thể thao & Văn hóa, after the FIFA Days in October 2025, Hendrio Dasilva will complete the procedures to obtain Vietnamese citizenship, having worked continuously for five years in Vietnam and becoming fluent in Vietnamese.

In the recent 3-2 win against Becamex TP.HCM, Đỗ Hoàng Hên scored a goal and played a major role in the overall tactics of the Hàng Đẫy home team. In a related development, HAGL’s 2-1 victory over Thể Công Viettel also marked a revival of a champion that had been dormant for over 20 years.

This was Hên’s second match as a domestic player for Hanoi FC under new coach Harry Kewell, and he performed well after a long period of nearly only training without competitive games.

Hanoi FC is very likely to re-enter the championship race this season with Hoàng Hên’s presence in the squad. Photo: Hanoi FC

"Over many years competing against him on the field, I have admired Hên’s football skills. He has flawless technique, with an extremely skillful left foot. A true classic number 10. Hên is also a very likable guy. With Hên’s presence at Hàng Đẫy, Hanoi FC will gain much more strength. We will make a comeback," captain Nguyễn Văn Quyết told Thể thao & Văn hóa.

By coincidence, shortly after Hendrio Dasilva joined Hanoi FC, English Premier League and Australian football legend Harry Kewell also arrived at Hàng Đẫy. Both are purely left-footed and very distinctive players. Before Hên, Hanoi FC had four Vietnamese Ballon d'Or winners, including Phạm Thành Lương, another extraordinary left-footed talent.

Only after December 2025 can Đỗ Hoàng Hên join the Vietnam national team if coach Kim Sang Sik calls him up. This is FIFA’s rule, which we always respect, just like Nguyễn Xuân Son’s case at the 2024 ASEAN Cup. With Xuân Son and Hoàng Hên, the deadly duo from Bình Định to Nam Định, two of the best foreign players in V-League over the past five years, combined, the Vietnam national team’s ability to conquer will certainly go beyond the regional level.

The new trend in football is global unity. Overseas Vietnamese players have also returned, including Cao Pendant Quang Vinh and Viktor Le. These are two of the talented foreign assets who have been and are serving the Vietnam national teams.

Hanoi FC is the king of the V-League era, with six championships. Welcome Đỗ Hoàng Hên and welcome Hanoi FC back, so at least Ninh Bình FC won’t be too lonely at the top of the league table.

Comment (0)