Vietnam U23 arrived in Japan on September 13 and immediately began preparations for their Asiad 2026 campaign.
After completing immigration procedures, coach Dinh Hong Vinh and his players travelled to the team hotel arranged by organisers. The squad held a training session later the same day to adapt to local weather conditions and playing facilities.
Vietnam will not have a full squad until September 15, with Nguyen Quoc Toan of Quy Nhon and Dang Tuan Phong of Haiphong scheduled to arrive in Nagoya only on the eve of the team's opening match.
The squad has also undergone last-minute changes. Goalkeeper Nguyen Bao Ngoc and forward Hoang Quang Dung were called up to replace Pham Dinh Hai and Cong Phuong respectively.
The shortage of players and late adjustments have complicated preparations for coach Dinh Hong Vinh and his coaching staff as they work to finalise the team's line-up and tactical approach.
Despite the challenges, Vietnam U23 remain determined to achieve their target of reaching the quarter-finals.
Before the team's departure, Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) General Secretary Nguyen Van Phu met with the squad to offer encouragement and outline expectations for the tournament. He described Asiad 2026 as one of the four most important events for Vietnamese football.
Nguyen Van Phu also revealed that VFF President Tran Quoc Tuan had already arrived in Nagoya, where he is serving as head of the men's football organising committee for Asiad 2026. He is expected to accompany the team throughout the tournament.
Vietnam U23 have been drawn in Group C alongside Uzbekistan, the Philippines and Kuwait.
According to the schedule, Vietnam will face Kuwait on September 15, the Philippines on September 18 and Uzbekistan on September 22.