(Photo: AFC)

Striker Vinh was voted best player of the year in 2004, 2006 and 2007. He scored the decisive goal in Vietnam’s 2-1 win over Thailand in the AFF Cup final in 2008, marking Vietnam’s first-ever regional championship. Vinh played for Leixoes SC in Portugal in 2009 and Consadole Sapporo in Japan in 2013. He retired in 2016.

The AFC named Vinh together with midfielder Kiatisuk Senamuang of Thailand, defender Soh Chin Aun of Malaysia, striker Bambang Pamungkas of Indonesia and Filipino goalkeeper Neil Etheridge. Among them, only Etheridge is still playing.