National women’s footballers and their side jobs

Vietnamese women’s football has achieved great success in the region over the years. Recently, Vietnam have won tickets to 2023 Women’s World Cup after victories over Thailand and Taiwan in the playoffs. However, female players still have quite a moderate income compared to their male colleagues. Some people have to work part-time jobs to support their passion and family.

In 2018, midfielder Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung started working part-time, selling cosmetics online imported from Japan, along with her colleague Do Thi Yen. At the beginning, Tuyet Dung mainly sold the cosmetics to friends and colleagues. When Yen retired from football, Dung eventually stopped selling cosmetics.

In September 2019, Tuyet Dung tried to find another job, this time as a labor export consultant. Her friend, volleyball player Tran Thi Tuoi at that time was in Japan and working part-time in exports, so she invited Dung to join her. However, the Covid-19 pandemic has affected her job for the past two years.

Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung and her small diner in her hometown. Photo by Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung

Tuyet Dung has graduated from the University of Physical Education and Sports and became an officer of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of her hometown Ha Nam Province in northern Vietnam. Aside from playing football, she’s also studying to be a coach.

Two years ago, she used her savings to open a small diner so her parents wouldn’t have to work in the field anymore. The restaurant named “Tuyet Dung 7” specializes in serving duck dishes like blood pudding, noodles and porridge. Dung also opened a community football center named after herself for local students from 6 to 12 years old in her hometown.

Like Tuyet Dung, captain of the national women’s team Huynh Nhu also has her own shop called “Number 9 Tra Vinh Macapuno Coconut”. Although busy with training and competing, she still spends time promoting her brand on social media.

Huynh Nhu and her brand Number 9 Tra Vinh Macapuno Coconut. Photo by Huynh Nhu

“The shop is in the early stages of operation, so there are not many customers. I also go to competitions a lot, so I have little time for it,” Huynh Nhu said.

Midfielder Thai Thi Thao is also dedicated to her work, which involves selling items like watches, cosmetics, sneakers, and perfume online.

With the historic feat of qualifying for 2023 Women’s World Cup, the total bonus the national team received so far totals around VND30 billion ($1.32 million). This number is expected to increase in the coming days.