Australian embassy hosts reception for Vietnam women’s football team ahead of 2026 Asian Cup

The event was attended by Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian Embassy in Vietnam Renee Deschamps, senior officials from Vietnam's Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, leaders of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), and head coach Mai Duc Chung along with members of the national squad.

Speaking at the reception, Deschamps congratulated the team on qualifying for the tournament and said sport played an important role in connecting people and strengthening cooperation between Australia and Vietnam.

She said she had been impressed by the passion of Vietnamese fans for their national teams, particularly the women's side, and recalled witnessing packed stadiums and scenes of national pride at recent regional tournaments.

Vietnamese sports officials and VFF representatives thanked the Australian Embassy for hosting the event, saying it demonstrated support for women's football and for broader sporting ties between the two countries.

The reception concluded with a toast involving team representatives and guests, marking Vietnam's preparations for one of the continent's most important women's football competitions.

The 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup will feature 12 national teams and is scheduled to be held from March 1 to March 21 in Perth, Gold Coast, and Sydney.