First foreign head coach takes charge of Vietnam baseball team
VOV.VN - The Vietnam Baseball and Softball Federation (VBSF) on September 14 unveiled Yu Jae Ho of the Republic of Korea as the national team's first foreign head coach under an initial one-year contract.
At 35, Yu was previously a professional baseball player in the Republic of Korea and spent seven years playing for the LG Twins. He is also no stranger to Vietnamese baseball, having spent eight years involved in coaching and grassroots development activities in Vietnam.
His direct work with players has given the Korean coach a better understanding of training conditions, technical standards and the characteristics of Vietnam’s baseball talent pool that is expected to help him quickly take on his new role.
Speaking at the ceremony, Yu expressed his honour at being entrusted with the role by the Vietnam Baseball and Softball Federation. He said he hopes to share his experience and knowledge of Korean baseball culture with Vietnamese players and work with the coaching staff to achieve the best possible results.
As head coach, Yu will work with the coaching staff to develop training plans, select players and gradually improve the team’s technical standards.
According to the new coach, baseball is becoming increasingly popular in Vietnam, attracting more people to take up the sport. Club competitions organised under the Vietnam Baseball and Softball Federation provide a foundation for the coaching staff to select the best players for the national team.
Alongside the goal of achieving results at upcoming competitions, the team will focus on developing a pool of players with continuity, laying the foundation for the stable and long-term development of Vietnamese baseball.
Yu is expected to lead the team at the international Dream League 2026 in Laos in October. In 2023, the team competed in the tournament, gaining experience through matches against Laos, Thailand and Cambodia.
Last year, Vietnam competed at the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand, marking the team's return to the regional sporting event after a 14-year absence. The team also sought a place at the 20th Asian Games (ASIAD 20) in Japan but failed to qualify.
Vietnam seeks RoK's assistance to develop baseball
Deputy General Director of the Vietnam Sports Administration Tran Duc Phan chaired a working session with a delegation from the Republic of Korea (RoK) led by Kwon Kun-sang, Director of the National Human Rights Commission of Korea, in Hanoi on June 2 to discuss the development of baseball in Vietnam.
