Huỳnh Như

Huỳnh Như is a Vietnamese professional footballer who has become the face of women's soccer in her country. As the all-time leading scorer for the Vietnam women's national team and captain of the side that made history at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, she stands as the most accomplished player in Vietnamese women's football history. She currently plays for Hồ Chí Minh City I in the domestic league, and her trophy case includes five Vietnamese Golden Balls, the country's top individual honor.

Như's influence stretches far beyond the pitch. In 2022 she made a historic move to Portugal's Länk FC Vilaverdense, becoming the first Vietnamese woman to play professional club football in Europe. Her journey from the Mekong Delta to the world stage has inspired a generation of young girls across Vietnam to take up the sport. As of 2026, she remains a central figure in the national team's push to compete with Asia's best, and her legacy as a pioneer is already secure. [edit]

Huỳnh Như grew up in Trà Vinh Province, deep in the Mekong Delta, in a region where football was almost entirely a men's game. From an early age she showed a stubborn love for the sport, playing with boys in the streets and local fields, often facing raised eyebrows from relatives who thought football was no pursuit for a girl. Her parents, though not wealthy, supported her passion, and she joined her first organized team as a teenager.

Her talent quickly stood out in youth competitions, and she was scouted for the national youth setup while still in her teens. She balanced school with rigorous training, and by her late teens she had made the leap to the senior national team. Her breakthrough came not through a single moment but through consistent scoring in domestic leagues, which caught the eye of national selectors. By 2011 she was already a regular for Vietnam, and her reputation as a clinical finisher was growing. The years of hard work in Trà Vinh laid the foundation for everything that followed. [edit]

Huỳnh Như's career is defined by a series of historic firsts. She became the all-time leading scorer for the Vietnam women's national team, a record she continues to extend with every international goal. Domestically, she won the Vietnamese Golden Ball five times, cementing her status as the country's best player across multiple seasons.

In August 2022 she signed with Länk FC Vilaverdense in Portugal, becoming the first Vietnamese female footballer to play professionally in Europe. She spent two seasons there, facing language barriers and adapting to a faster, more physical style of play. In 2023 she captained Vietnam to their first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup appearance, a monumental achievement for the nation. Although the team didn't advance past the group stage, her leadership and the team's qualification were celebrated across Vietnam. After leaving Portugal in May 2024, she returned to Hồ Chí Minh City I, where she continues to lead the attack. In 2026 she was part of Vietnam's squad at the AFC Women's Asian Cup in Perth, where the team's run ended with a 0-4 loss to Japan in March. [edit]

Huỳnh Như is seen in Vietnam as a national hero who broke barriers for women in sports. Media coverage often highlights her humble origins and her relentless work ethic, framing her as a symbol of rural ambition and female empowerment. On social media, she maintains a professional and inspiring tone, posting match highlights, training sessions, and messages of support for the national team. Her Instagram, @huynhnhuso9, has around 18,000 followers, and she uses it to connect with fans who see her as a role model. Young girls across Vietnam cite her as their primary inspiration for taking up football, and her jersey is a common sight at youth matches. She's known for her disciplined lifestyle, rarely seen at social events, and her public image is one of total dedication to her craft. [edit]

Huỳnh Như stands as the undisputed face of women's football in Vietnam, commanding a fanbase that functions less as a traditional club and more as a national movement. While her supporters often rally under the banner of the Vietnamese Women's National Team rather than a specific branded acronym like 'Nhu Army', she is universally revered by the public as 'Bà hoàng bàn thắng' (The Queen of Goals). This organic following, which numbers in the hundreds of thousands on digital platforms, mobilizes with singular focus during major tournaments, transforming match days into occasions of national unity. Despite her massive domestic influence and a TikTok presence boasting nearly 600,000 followers, iFANN's Global Fame Engine evaluated her profile in August 2026 and determined that she currently holds no placement within the published Global Top 1,000 rankings or any scope-specific top-100 lists. This absence from the global elite tier reflects the regional concentration of her fame rather than a lack of impact; her status remains absolute within Southeast Asia where she drives the sport's growth. The narrative surrounding her has recently evolved to include the verified exclusion from the 2026 Asian Games squad, a moment that sparked intense debate among fans regarding her veteran status versus team strategy. Her legacy is cemented not just by statistics, but by the sheer volume of engagement she generates, proving that while she may not yet appear on global fame charts, her influence in her home region is unrivaled.[edit]

Her nickname 'So9' derives directly from the jersey number she has worn for both club and country throughout her entire career. During her pioneering stint at Länk FC Vilaverdense in Portugal, she relied heavily on translation apps and patient teammates to navigate daily life, a challenge she later cited as one of the most difficult aspects of her professional journey. A persistent ritual involves writing the names of her hometown and family members on her wrist tape before major tournaments, a small act of grounding she has maintained for years. She also prepares for matches by listening to Vietnamese folk music, a practice she credits with calming her nerves. In 2026, she was featured in a FIFA talent drive designed to discover the next generation of Vietnamese stars, serving as a mentor and inspiration to young athletes. Recently, a significant chapter in her legend emerged when reports confirmed her exclusion from the 2026 Asian Games squad despite her status as the nation's top scorer, sparking widespread discussion about the future of the team's roster.[edit]

Huỳnh Như keeps her family life largely private, but she has spoken publicly about the support her parents gave her from a young age, especially when she chose football over more traditional paths. Her father, a farmer, and her mother, a homemaker, initially worried about her future in sports but became her biggest fans after seeing her dedication. She has a younger brother who she says is her biggest critic and supporter. As of 2026, she is not married and has no children, and she rarely discusses her personal relationships in interviews. She lives in Ho Chi Minh City during the domestic season, close to her club, and returns to Trà Vinh whenever she can to see her family. [edit]

Huỳnh Như has played alongside key teammates like Bich Thuy and Thanh Nha in the national squad, forming a formidable attacking partnership. She has worked under several national team coaches, adapting to different tactical systems. Her family, though private, is often credited as her support system. She has also been associated with the AFC and FIFA through various promotional and development programs. [edit]

Public information about Huỳnh Như's romantic life is virtually nonexistent. She has never confirmed a relationship, and no credible reports or interviews mention a partner. Vietnamese media have respected her privacy, and she has not used social media to hint at any personal romance. As of 2026, she is reported to be single, with her focus entirely on football. There are no records of marriage, engagement, or children. [edit]

iFANN currently estimates Huỳnh Như's net worth at $150 Thousand as of 2026, a figure that reflects her earnings as a professional footballer operating primarily within Southeast Asia. Her income streams are anchored by club salaries at Hồ Chí Minh City I, which remain modest compared to European standards but are supplemented by national team bonuses distributed by the Vietnam Football Federation. Although her brief tenure at Länk FC Vilaverdense in Portugal likely offered a higher compensation package, exact financial details from that period remain undisclosed. Beyond her playing contract, she generates revenue through endorsements with local Vietnamese brands, particularly those specializing in sports equipment and apparel. Public appearances and media engagements also contribute to her annual earnings through appearance fees. While this valuation is small by global athletic standards, it represents a significant milestone within the context of Vietnamese women's football, with marketability expanding following the 2023 World Cup. She has not publicly disclosed major investments or business ventures outside of her sporting career, maintaining a focus on her performance. As the national team continues its competitive schedule, her earning potential is projected to grow.[edit]

Huỳnh Như has won the Vietnamese Golden Ball five times, the most by any female player. She has also earned multiple SEA Games gold medals with the national team and was part of the squad that won the AFF Women's Championship. Her most significant honor is being the all-time leading scorer for Vietnam, a record she continues to hold. [edit]