Miguel Rodrigo acts as coach of Japan at the World Cup last year (Photo: AFP)
Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has signed athree-year contract with Miguel Rodrigo as the head coach of the nationalfutsal team.
The Spaniard, 46, is a well-known coach in the world of futsal.
The Valencia-born played futsal for five years for for Banco deGranada and Almunecar Perez Casket clubs before becoming a trainer at theage of 21.
Rodrigo worked with clubs in Russia, Italy and Spain, which are the leading futsal hubs in the world, from 1991 to 2008.
He coached the national team of Japan from 2009 to 2016. During these years,Japan championed the Asian tournament twice in 2012 and 2014.
Due to his depth of tactics and formations, he was dubbed by the Japanese mediaand fans as The Magician.
Rodrigo then moved to Thailand and led the team to the top podium in the ASEANchampionship and the last-eight round of the World Cup finals. The Thai U20team also bagged a bronze medal at the Asian event early this year.
“Miguel Rodrigo has all the qualities that we need, and we hope he will help usattain success,” said Tran Anh Tu, head of VFF’s Futsal Department.
“As far as I have known, the new coach has set higher standards for playersthan (former coach) Bruno Garcia. He will officially take charge of the team onJune 25, when we gather them to prepare for the August’s SEA Games,” said Tu.
Rodrigo has been asked to lead Vietnam to win a slot in the 2020 World Cup inJapan.
Vietnam are under acting coach and captain Nguyen Bao Quan, since Garcia saidgoodbye last September. Under Garcia, Vietnam ranked fourth in the Asianchampionship, winning a berth at the World Cup.
In the Colombian event, Vietnam entered the last-eight stage where they lost0-7 to Russia.-VNA
Vietnamese footballers have fully prepared for the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) U20 Futsal Championship, which kicked off in Bangkok, Thailand, on May 16.
Asia’s top 14 futsal clubs discovered their rivals for the AFC Futsal Club Championship Vietnam 2017 slated for July 17-30 after the tournament’s official draw in Ho Chi Minh on May 30.
The ambassador noted that among the 300,000 Vietnamese residing in the RoK, around 3,000 are living in Pyeongtaek and contributing actively to the local economy. Ho expressed his hope that the local authorities will continue support the overseas Vietnamese community in the city.
This is the first time since the adoption of the Convention that a country has served two consecutive terms on the Committee. The outcome shows the trust and recognition that member states have given Vietnam for its efforts and achievements in carrying out and promoting the Convention, as well as for its active role, strong standing, and growing credibility at UNESCO.
Quang Duc pottery is known for its wide range of forms, including wine bottles, jars, lime pots, vases, plant pots, incense burners and candle stands. Decorative motifs are equally rich, featuring mythical creatures, pastoral scenes, floral patterns, deer, peacocks, bats and more.
Vietnam’s cinematic appeal lies in its diverse settings, from terraced mountains and limestone karsts to bustling markets and ancient towns. Its mix of ethnic vibes, buzzing street life, and old traditions gives directors a goldmine for storytelling.
The Vietnamese team will gather on June 26 in Ba Ria-Vung Tau, where they will train until July 14 before departing for Indonesia for the ASEAN U23 Championship 2025, which runs from July 15 to 29. Vietnam will face Laos on July 19 and Cambodia on July 22 in the group stage.
The exhibition showcases more than 100 valuable documents and artifacts, divided into two main parts: “Journalist Nguyen Ai Quoc – Ho Chi Minh” and “President Ho Chi Minh – Founder and Mentor of Vietnamese Revolutionary Press.” This is an opportunity to recall the late leader’s journalism journey and affirm his exceptional role in founding and guiding the revolutionary press in Vietnam.
For the first time, the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF) has granted Vietnam hosting rights for the two championships, including the Asian women’s solo category, which debuts this year as an officially recognised event.
Eight teams will join the tournament, divided into two groups. Group A features Vietnam, the Philippines, Sichuan Club (China), and Australia, while Group B consists of Vietnam U21, Korabelka Club (Russia), Taiwan (China), and U21 Thailand.
Despite strong home support and high expectations, Vietnam were unable to overcome the defending champions, who secured their third consecutive win over Vietnam in a regional final, following previous victories in 2014 and 2023.
The event, part of Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy strategy through 2030, was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and USM’s Faculty of International Relations. It attracted thousands of students from universities across Venezuela.
For the first time, Vietnamese audiences will have the opportunity to experience the ballet masterpiece "Don Quixote" in its original version by renowned choreographer Marius Petipa.
The contest carried deep meaning as it was the first time the life of Vietnamese women abroad had been highlighted as the central theme, said poet and writer Nguyen Quang Thieu, Chairman of the Vietnam Writers’ Association.
The event formed part of Vietnam’s ongoing campaign to seek UNESCO World Heritage status for the complex at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, scheduled to take place in Paris in July.
Creative cultural festivals are fast emerging as a new catalyst for tourism development in Vietnam, as localities increasingly invest in these vibrant events on a more systematic and larger scale.
This marks the first time Vietnam has hosted a continental-level Muay event which will feature competitions across 28 weight categories in combat and eight performance categories.
Coming to the Vietnamese booth, visitors had the chance to take part in a bamboo dance, a workshop on painting woven bamboo or rattan, or quizzes about Vietnam.
These are impressive achievements, not only showing the efforts and prowess of Vietnamese paddlers but also serving as proof of the sports sector’s strategic and systematic investment.
Miguel Rodrigo acts as coach of Japan at the World Cup last year (Photo: AFP) 
