Dong Nguyen Khang: A Passion for Storytelling, A Mission for Vietnamese Sports

A true passion is not merely something to live for, but a driving force for forging a new future. To achieve his ambitious goal of professionalizing and promoting Vietnamese sports globally, Mr. Dong Nguyen Khang, a sports journalist at Thanh Nien Newspaper, made the strategic decision to pursue a degree in Sports Economics major at Hoa Sen University.

Eight Years of Continuous Impact in Sports Journalism

Additionally, he studied Electrical and Electronics Technology at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education almost ten years ago. However, his background in engineering took a new turn, as his passion for sports, especially football, fueled a career as a sports journalist covering events both locally and internationally.

Before becoming a sports journalist, he made his mark with Third Prize in the writing contest about the Vietnamese team at the AFF Cup 2016, and Top 10 in the writing contest about Euro 2016 organized by Viet Nam Zing Limited Company. From that moment, he “fell in love” with ZNews (formerly Zingnews) as a sports reporter. Besides his journalism career, he is also the Administrator of the official Liverpool Supporters Club in Viet Nam, where he has organized many events, connected with sponsors, and built a professional fan community.

Not having come from a professional journalism training environment, with passion and constant effort, he has continuously made his mark in the field of sports journalism. Specifically, in 2022, he received an award from VIRESA, the Viet Nam E-Sports and Entertainment Association, for his major contributions to e-sports. Representing Viet Nam Sport Solution Joint Stock Company (VSSG), he signed an agreement with partners to organize a pickleball tournament in Hanoi

In 2023, he continued to advance his career at the Sports Department of Thanh Nien Newspaper. Concurrently, he was the Head of Content at VSSG, a company that provides athlete management and sports marketing solutions and handles the public image of numerous national players such as Que Ngoc Hai, Tien Linh, Thanh Chung, and Bich Thuy.

According to Nguyen Khang, he contributed to many major sporting events, including the SEA Games, AFF Cup, V-League, and AFC Champions League. His experience also covered the U23 Southeast Asian Championship and the high-profile match between Manchester United and Liverpool in Thailand in 2021. For the past eight years, he has not only produced media content such as news articles, interviews, and podcasts, but also managed athlete images, organized events, and developed sports marketing strategies while collaborating with many brands.

Each of his experiences was instrumental in helping him accumulate the knowledge and relationships that fueled a deep desire to contribute. Through this, he realized there was a pressing need for more skilled content creators, organizers, and managers in the industry.

Pursuing University at Age 30 to Elevate National Sports

Despite his extensive experience, he remains forward-thinking and is keenly aware of the need for improved sports management knowledge in Viet Nam. After covering the friendly match between Manchester United and Liverpool in Thailand in 2021, he saw firsthand the professional and methodical organization of a large-scale sporting event.

He recalled that the stadium was packed with locals and tourists, creating a genuine festival atmosphere before kickoff at 8 p.m. From as early as noon, fans were already socializing, playing mini-games, shopping for merchandise, and enjoying food and drinks. He was particularly impressed by the lack of “price gouging”, noting the numerous promotions and special offers. This lively environment was an ideal setting for brands to run highly effective marketing campaigns.

He noted: “Vietnamese people have an undeniable passion for football and sports in general. So why haven’t we been able to help sports develop to their full potential and appeal?”

That question motivated him to seek professional training to contribute to the development of the domestic sports ecosystem, leading him to choose the Sports Economics major at HSU after careful consideration.

Starting his university journey again at the age of 30, he encountered many obstacles due to his busy study, work, and travel schedule, especially during the season or when working internationally. However, with the “GenZ spirit” and the spirit of “trying to the end with the chosen path”, he still fully completed his goals and roles. Especially, in 2024, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism awarded him the National Press Award’s Encouragement Prize for the second time, recognizing his contributions to the development of culture, sports, and tourism.

“The Sports Economics program at HSU distinguishes itself from similar majors by offering a more detailed, in-depth, and diverse curriculum. Crucially, the program has provided me with an understanding of essential business functions, including marketing, human resource management, finance, and accounting. These are skills that prove invaluable to anyone working in sports businesses or journalism. The program offers a dynamic and engaging learning environment, thanks to its open-minded lecturers. This is further enhanced by high-quality seminars and workshops led by experts.”

Nguyen Khang expressed that his major in Sports Economics at HSU is an important step toward obtaining a Master’s degree in countries such as Japan, Thailand, or Korea, which would advance the sports sectors. He hopes this educational path will lead to a career at a professional sports club, an international organization, or in academia, allowing him to contribute to the growth of Viet Nam’s sports industry.

Translated by: Mr. Do Tan Tai