Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (C) and head coach of the Vietnamese men’s football team Park Hang-seo (Third from left). (Photo: VOV)

At a reception on Tuesday in Hanoi for Mr. Park and his spouse, who returned to Vietnam after the Lunar New Year holiday in their home country the Republic of Korea, Prime Minister Phuc said Mr. Park has brought great joy to the Vietnamese people with the team’s recent achievements, calling the coach a bridge between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea.

He said the Vietnamese Government and people greatly appreciate Mr. Park and he hopes the head coach will continue to make contributions.

Mr. Park said the Vietnamese men’s football squad has many important competitions ahead and he vows to do his best to meet the expectations of Vietnamese fans.

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) said Mr. Park has returned to Vietnam to start his preparations for the 2020 AFC U23 Championship qualifiers.

Later this year, Vietnam’s national team will play qualifying matches for the 2022 World Cup, while the Vietnam young squad will begin its quest for a SEA Games men’s football gold medal in the Philippines in December.