Vietnam men’s football team showered with bonuses after winning SEA Games gold medal

As of Friday, the total prize pool for coach Kim Sang-sik’s team has reached VND3.6 billion (US$137,000), with that figure expected to rise in the coming days as more sponsors come forward.

The rewards arrived immediately after the final whistle at Rajamangala Stadium, with the VFF giving the team VND1 billion for the gold medal. This sum was matched by a personal gift of VND1 billion from Pham Hoanh Son, chairman of V. League club Hong Linh Ha Tinh, while an additional sponsor contributed another VND500 million. These rewards come on top of performance bonuses earned earlier in the tournament, including VND600 million from the VFF for defeating Malaysia in the final group stage match and VND500 million for defeating the Philippines in the semi-finals.

Besides the team bonuses, individual players will also benefit from government incentives. According to state regulations, every athlete who wins a SEA Games gold medal is entitled to a personal reward of VND45 million.

The bonuses celebrate a stellar conclusion to Vietnam’s SEA Games men’s football campaign on Thursday evening. Facing host nation Thailand in the final, Vietnam fell behind 0-2 within 31 minutes due to goals from Yotsakon Burapha and Seksan Ratree. However, the team mounted an incredible comeback, leveling the score through Nguyen Dinh Bac and an own goal by Waris Choolthong, before Nguyen Thanh Nhan scored the decisive winner in extra time.

The victory also marked a historic hat-trick of titles for head coach Kim Sang-sik during his tenure. The South Korean coach has now led Vietnam football teams to three major regional trophies in a short span, adding the SEA Games gold to his previous triumphs at the 2024 ASEAN Cup with the national team and the 2025 ASEAN U23 Championship. Given this unprecedented success, coach Kim is likely to receive a special personal reward for his contributions to Vietnamese football.