The football tournament celebrating the 1000th anniversary of Thang Long – Hanoi will run from September 20 to October 2 in Hanoi, Danang and HCM City.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh has agreed with the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) on this plan. Accordingly, the organizing board will invite nine teams and invest up to 80-100 billion dong (over $5 million) in the event.

Organizers planed to invite the national squads of Australia, Kuwait, China, South Korea or Japan. The Vietnamese national team will play in Hanoi and if Coach Henrique Calisto agrees to sign a new contract with VFF, he will be in attendance.

In HCM City, the U23 Vietnam will play against guest teams like Venezuela, Iran, North Korea and the young national team of either Brazil or Argentina.

In Danang, guest teams will be the three top football clubs in Southeast Asia.

As for Coach Calisto, VFF has offered a higher salary to the coach, $22,000 instead of $20,000 per month. Calisto is now in Portugal and will return to Vietnam in February with an answer for VFF.

Also in February, VFF’s contract with the Chinese coach of the women’s national football team, Chen Yun Fat, will expire. Phat agreed to stay in Vietnam another year with a monthly salary of $3000.

PV