# Thep Xanh Nam Dinh F.C.

Nam Định Football Club (Vietnamese: Câu lạc bộ bóng đá Thép Xanh Nam Định), currently known as Thép Xanh Nam Định due to sponsorship reasons, is a Vietnamese professional football club based in Nam Định City that competed in the V.League 1.

## History

Before 1997, the club's kit always used home colors black-white which were similar to Juventus. It originates from name Namha Youths, so during the 1980-1990s they were called as "Vietnamese Juventus" by sport medias. However, after some changing times due to sponsor replacements, it was fixed as the yellow, then added lime-red.
Hà Nam Ninh won the National Football Champions (V.League) in 1985 with star player Nguyễn Văn Dũng.

### Overcome difficulties to survive

In 2001, Nam Định took second place in the National Championships, losing to Bình Định In 2007, the Nam Định football team changed its name to Đạm Phú Mỹ Nam Định and won its first National Cup under its new name. In 2009 the Nam Định Football team changed its name to Megastar Nam Định and failed in standing on V.League to 1st level tournament 2010.
From 2003 to present, the club currently competes in the V.League with a sponsor of former minister Đinh La Thăng as a businessman, the top flight of Vietnamese football.
In 2011, the team changed its name back to Mikado Nam Định and was relegated to the second division after only one year. In 2012, Mikado Nam Định failed to win promotion to the first division after losing on penalties to the Khánh Hòa youth team in the semi-finals. In 2014, Nam Định won a place in the 2015 First Division after defeating Vĩnh Long 4–0 in the Second Division final at Tam Kỳ Stadium, Quảng Nam. In 2016, the team finished third overall and took part in the play-off of the 2016 National First Division but failed to win promotion to the V.League.
The following season, the team won the 2017 First Division championship and won the only place to play in the 2018 V.League. In 2019, the team introduced a new sponsor, Nam Ha Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company, and changed its name to Nam Ha Nam Dinh Pharmaceutical Football Club to compete in the V.League 2019. In this season, the team had a 2–2 draw against Hoang Anh Gia Lai. In 2021, the team changed its name back to Nam Định Football Club after the end of the contract with Nam Ha Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company.
However, this was still a period when financial difficulties always threaten the existence of the club. Typically, the times are continuously slow or out of the budget, even have to accept relegation because they cannot find a worthy funding. There are seasons that the team leaders have to pray for help from the fan association.

### Top tier league champions

After many poor seasons and even near relegation, since 2023 under the guidance of head coach Vũ Hồng Việt, Nam Định has continuously been in the top 5 strongest teams in V-League.
On 25 June 2024, Nam Định officially won the 2023–24 V.League 1 title after winning Khanh Hoa 5–1. It its the club first tier league title after 39 years since their last win in 1985. Following the title, the club qualified for the inaugural 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two group stage, making their return to the intercontinental tournament since the 2008 AFC Champions League. On 18 September 2024, Nam Định played against Hong Kong club Lee Man at the Mong Kok Stadium. Rafaelson and Lucas Silva scored a goal to secured a 2–0 win over the Hong Kong club. Nam Định finished in second place in the group stage thus seeing the team advance to the round of 16 facing against Japanese club Sanfreece Hiroshima.

## Team names

The name of club was also changed 10 times due to sponsor replacements :
* 1965–1978: Thanh niên Nam Hà
* 1978–1991: Công nghiệp Hà Nam Ninh
* 1991–1996: Nam Hà
* 1997–2003: Nam Định
* 2003–2006: Sông Đà Nam Định
* 2006–2007: Mikado Nam Định
* 2007–2008: Đạm Phú Mỹ Nam Định
* 2006–2007: Mikado Nam Định
* 2009–2011: Megastar Nam Định
* 2011–2013: Mikado Nam Định
* 2013–2019: Nam Định
* 2019–2020: Dược Nam Hà Nam Định
* 2021–2022: Nam Định
* 2023–present: Thép Xanh Nam Định

## Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

| Period | Kit manufacturer | Shirt sponsor |
| 2016–2018 | N/A | Mikado |
| 2018–2020 | VNA Sport | Vicostone - Thổi hồn vào đá Nam Ha Pharma |
| 2020–2023 | Kelme | Nam Ha Pharma Xuan Thien Group |
| 2023–present | Mitre | Xuan Thien Group |

## Stadium

Nam Định City has two sports facilities, Thiên Trường Stadium (formerly Chùa Cuối Stadium) and Trần Quốc Toản Indoor Stadium, which are host to football and volleyball matches. Both sports centers are located on Hùng Vương Street.
At the beginning, the club's home stadium was a dust and sandy training ground of the militia forces where were usually called as Sân Dệt or the "stadium" of the Nam Định Spinning Factory. It was old crisis of the Vietnamese National Army's military academy.
From the end of 1970s, their home stadium was Thiên Trường Stadium. During the Vietnam War, this stadium had become a big, polluted pond with some vegetable fields. Formerly Sân Chùa Cuối or the "Pagoda at end of the street" Stadium from one uninhibited temple which has got some daoist icons. So it was often named as "a factory weaves wishes" (nhà máy dệt giấc mơ).

## Current squad

    As of 13 March 2025
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 3 | DF | VIE | Dương Thanh Hào |
| 4 | DF | BRA | Lucas Alves |
| 7 | DF | VIE | Nguyễn Phong Hồng Duy |
| 8 | MF | VIE | Nguyễn Đình Sơn |
| 9 | FW | VIE | Nguyễn Văn Toàn |
| 11 | MF | VIE | Nguyễn Tuấn Anh |
| 13 | DF | VIE | Trần Văn Kiên |
| 14 | FW | VIE | Nguyễn Xuân Son |
| 15 | MF | VIE | Trần Văn Trung |
| 16 | MF | VIE | Trần Văn Công |
| 17 | DF | VIE | Nguyễn Văn Vĩ |
| 18 | MF | UGA | Joseph Mpande |
| 19 | MF | VIE | Trần Văn Đạt |
| 22 | FW | VIE | Hoàng Minh Tuấn |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 23 | GK | VIE | Lê Vũ Phong |
| 26 | GK | VIE | Trần Nguyên Mạnh (captain) |
| 28 | MF | VIE | Tô Văn Vũ (vice-captain) |
| 29 | GK | VIE | Trần Đức Dũng |
| 32 | DF | VIE | Ngô Đức Huy |
| 35 | FW | BRA | Brenner |
| 39 | FW | VIE | Lâm Ti Phông |
| 71 | DF | VIE | Trần Quang Thịnh |
| 72 | MF | BRA | Rômulo |
| 77 | MF | BRA | Caio César |
| 82 | GK | VIE | Trần Liêm Điều |
| 88 | MF | VIE | Lý Công Hoàng Anh |
| 91 | FW | VIE | Nguyễn Văn Anh |
| 93 | DF | FRA | Kevin Pham Ba |

### Unregistered players

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 2 | DF | VIE | Đinh Xuân Khải |
| 10 | MF | BRA | Hêndrio |
| 34 | DF | BRA | Wálber |
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| — | DF | VIE | Đỗ Xuân Tiến |
| — | MF | VIE | Tạ Xuân Trường |
| — | FW | VIE | Trần Văn Thành |

### Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
| No. | Pos. | Nation | Player |
| 27 | FW | VIE | Trần Ngọc Sơn (on loan to PVF-CAND until 15 July 2025) |

## Current coaching staff

| Position | Name |
| Managing director | Nguyễn Quốc Phong |
| Technical director | Nguyễn Trung Kiên |
| Head coach | Vũ Hồng Việt |
| Assistant coach | Nguyen Quang Huy |
| Goalkeeper coach | Bùi Quang Huy |
| Fitness coach | Mashiedee bin Sulaiman |
| Video analyst | Mohamad Idham Anuar |
| Doctor | Nguyễn Văn Khánh |
| Physiotherapist | Nguyễn Thành Hưng |
| Interpreter | Nguyễn Hoang Minh |
| Head of media | Nguyễn Quang Đương |

## Performance in AFC competitions

* AFC Champions League Elite: 1 appearance
       2008: Group stage
* AFC Champions League Two: 1 appearance
       2024–25: Round of 16
| Season | Competition | Round | Club | Home | Away | Aggregate |
| 2008 | AFC Champions League | Group F | Beijing Guoan | 1–3 | 0–3 | 4th out of 4 |
| 2008 | AFC Champions League | Group F | Kashima Antlers | 0–4 | 0–6 | 4th out of 4 |
| 2008 | AFC Champions League | Group F | Krung Thai Bank | 2–2 | 1–9 | 4th out of 4 |
| 2024–25 | AFC Champions League Two | Group G | Lee Man | 3–0 | 2–0 | 2nd out of 4 |
| 2024–25 | AFC Champions League Two | Group G | Tampines Rovers | 3–2 | 3–3 | 2nd out of 4 |
| 2024–25 | AFC Champions League Two | Group G | Bangkok United | 0–0 | 2–3 | 2nd out of 4 |
| 2024–25 | AFC Champions League Two | Round of 16 | Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 0–3 | 0–4 | 0–7 |

## Season-by-season record

| Season | Pld | Won | Draw | Lost | GF | GA | GD | PTS | Final position | Notes |
| 1982–83 V-League | 14 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 12 | 13 | −1 | 12 | 6th | Group stage |
| 1984 V-League | 15 | 8 | 3 | 4 | 27 | 26 | +1 | 19 | 3rd | Qualify for 2nd stage |
| 1985 V-League | 16 | 11 | 5 | 0 | 24 | 9 | +15 | 27 | Champions | |
| 1986 V-League | 17 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 29 | 28 | +1 | 16 | 1st (Group stage) | Qualify for 2nd stage |
| 1987–88 V-League | 16 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 22 | 27 | −5 | 10 | 7th | Group stage |
| 1989–1997 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 1998 V-League | 26 | 10 | 6 | 10 | 32 | 29 | +3 | 35 | 8th | |
| 1999–2000 V-League | 24 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 23 | 25 | −2 | 34 | 6th | |
| 2000–01 V-League | 18 | 11 | 1 | 6 | 22 | 17 | +5 | 34 | 2nd | |
| 2003 V-League | 22 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 22 | 19 | +3 | 36 | 3rd | |
| 2004 V-League | 22 | 13 | 5 | 4 | 30 | 23 | +7 | 44 | 2nd | |
| 2005 V-League | 22 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 27 | 31 | +4 | 28 | 6th | |
| 2006 V-League | 24 | 9 | 5 | 10 | 22 | 28 | −6 | 32 | 9th | |
| 2007 V-League | 26 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 35 | 31 | +4 | 38 | 4th | Qualified for 2008 AFC Champions League |
| 2008 V-League | 26 | 9 | 4 | 13 | 24 | 32 | −8 | 31 | 11th | |
| 2009 V-League | 26 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 31 | 36 | −5 | 31 | 12th | Promotion/relegation playoffs |
| 2010 V-League | 26 | 3 | 3 | 20 | 19 | 47 | −28 | 12 | 14th | Relegation to 2011 First League |
| 2011 First League | 26 | 5 | 12 | 9 | 29 | 41 | −12 | 27 | 13th | Relegation to 2012 Second Division |
| 2012 Second Division | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2013 Second Division | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2014 Second Division | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 1 | +8 | 13 | 1st | Promoted to 2015 V.League 2 |
| 2015 V.League 2 | 14 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 13 | 18 | −5 | 18 | 4th | |
| 2016 V.League 2 | 18 | 8 | 8 | 2 | 25 | 14 | +11 | 32 | 3rd | Qualification to Play-off I |
| 2017 V.League 2 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 17 | 14 | +3 | 23 | 1st | Promoted to 2018 V.League 1 |
| 2018 V.League 1 | 26 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 33 | 45 | −12 | 24 | 13th | |
| 2019 V.League 1 | 26 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 32 | 41 | −9 | 31 | 11th | |
| 2020 V.League 1 | 18 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 19 | 30 | −11 | 18 | 13th | |
| 2021 V.League 1 | 12 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 23 | 21 | +2 | 18 | 4th | season cancelled due to Covid-19 |
| 2022 V.League 1 | 24 | 6 | 5 | 13 | 21 | 33 | −12 | 23 | 12th | |
| 2023 V.League 1 | 20 | 7 | 8 | 5 | 19 | 19 | +0 | 29 | 5th | |
| 2023–24 V.League 1 | 26 | 16 | 5 | 5 | 60 | 38 | +22 | 52 | Champions | Qualified for 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two |
| 2024–25 V.League 1 | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined | To be determined |

## Honors
### National competitions
#### League

* V.League 1
** Winners : 1985, 2023–24
** Runners-up : 2000–01, 2004
* V.League 2
** Winners : 2017
* Second League
** Winners : 2014

#### Cups

* Vietnamese Cup
** Winners : 2007
** Third place : 2023–24
* Vietnamese Super Cup
** Winners : 2024–25

### Other competitions

* China-ASEAN Cities Football Invitational Tournament
** Winners : 2016
** Runners-up : 2017