The Vietnam national team has traveled to Thailand, ready to defend their ASEAN Cup title.

On the morning of July 20, the Vietnamese team set off for Chonburi, Thailand, marking the start of their last stage of preparation ahead of the ASEAN Championship 2026 opener.

Coach Kim Sang Sik and his players traveled on a Vietnam Airlines flight, departing at 12:45 from Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi) and scheduled to land at Suvarnabhumi Airport (Bangkok) at 14:45 local time.

From Bangkok, the entire team will continue by bus to Chonburi, the venue for their opening match against Timor Leste on July 24.

The departure took place in an upbeat atmosphere after the team's 4-0 friendly victory over Myanmar on July 18. This positive result has boosted the confidence of Coach Kim Sang Sik and his players as they set out to defend the Southeast Asian championship.

Before heading to Thailand, the Vietnam team underwent thorough preparations, including a training camp in South Korea, combined with practice matches and a final friendly to allow the coaching staff to review the squad, refine tactics, and assess player form ahead of the tournament's kickoff.

With meticulous preparation and high determination, the Vietnam team aims for a strong start at the 2026 ASEAN Championship. After facing Timor Leste on July 24, Coach Kim Sang Sik's side will meet Singapore at home (July 30), travel to Indonesia (August 3), and conclude the group stage by hosting Cambodia on August 7.

As the reigning champions, the Vietnam team aims not only to advance past the group stage but also to go further and successfully retain the Southeast Asian crown.