Vietnam V-League 08/17 10:00 21 [5] Nam Dinh v Quang Nam [9] L 2-3
Vietnam V-League 08/10 12:00 20 Than Quang Ninh v Nam Dinh D 0-0
Vietnam V-League 08/04 10:00 19 [6] Nam Dinh v Hoang Anh Gia Lai [12] D 2-2
Vietnam V-League 07/28 10:00 18 [9] Nam Dinh v Song Lam Nghe An [5] W 2-0
Vietnam V-League 07/21 10:00 17 [8] Rangdajied United FC v Nam Dinh [6] L 2-0
Vietnam V-League 07/17 10:00 16 [9] Nam Dinh v Thanh Hoa [4] W 4-2
Vietnam V-League 07/12 10:00 15 [10] Nam Dinh v The Cong FC [6] W 2-0
Vietnam V-League 07/08 10:00 14 [8] Binh Duong v Nam Dinh [10] D 1-1
Vietnam Cup 07/04 10:00 3 Nam Dinh v Ha Noi FC L 3-4
Vietnam Cup 06/28 10:00 4 Nam Dinh v Binh Phuoc W 3-0
Vietnam V-League 06/15 10:00 13 [12] Nam Dinh v Da Nang [5] W 2-1
Vietnam V-League 05/30 10:00 12 [9] Shoushtarizadeh/Tavakoli v Nam Dinh [12] L 3-2
Vietnam V-League 05/24 10:00 11 [12] Nam Dinh v Ha Noi FC [2] W 2-0
Vietnam V-League 05/19 10:00 10 [13] Quang Nam v Nam Dinh [12] D 1-1
Vietnam V-League 05/11 10:00 9 [12] Nam Dinh v Than Quang Ninh [5] D 1-1
Vietnam V-League 05/05 10:00 8 [10] Hoang Anh Gia Lai v Nam Dinh [9] L 2-0
Vietnam V-League 04/27 10:00 7 [3] Song Lam Nghe An v Nam Dinh [10] D 0-0
Vietnam V-League 04/21 10:00 6 [12] Nam Dinh v Binh Duong [7] W 1-0
Vietnam V-League 04/13 12:00 5 The Cong FC v Nam Dinh L 1-0
Vietnam V-League 04/06 10:00 4 [10] Nam Dinh v Sanna Khanh Hoa [14] L 1-2
Vietnam Cup 03/30 10:00 7 Long An v Nam Dinh W 4-6
Vietnam V-League 03/05 12:00 3 [1] Ho Chi Minh City v Nam Dinh [6] L 2-0
Vietnam V-League 03/01 10:00 2 [9] Hai Phong v Nam Dinh [3] L 2-1
Vietnam V-League 02/24 10:00 1 [6] Nam Dinh v Sai Gon FC [6] W 3-1
World Club Friendlies 02/19 08:26 - Nam Dinh v Hong Linh Ha Tinh W 3-2
World Club Friendlies 01/12 08:00 - Nam Dinh v Than Quang Ninh W 2-1
World Club Friendlies 01/08 07:58 - Ha Noi T&T v Nam Dinh FC L 4-3
World Club Friendlies 01/06 07:56 - Viettel v Nam Dinh FC D 1-1
Vietnam Play-Offs 10/13 09:30 1 Nam Dinh FC v Ha Noi FC II W 5-3
Vietnam V-League 10/08 10:00 26 [14] XSKT Can Tho v Nam Dinh [13] D 1-1

Nam Định Football Club (Vietnamese: Câu lạc bộ bóng đá Thép Xanh Nam Định), currently known as Thép Xanh Nam Định due to sponsorship reasons, is a Vietnamese professional football club based in Nam Định City that competed in the V.League 1.

History

Before 1997, the club's kit always used home colors black-white which were similar to Juventus. It originates from name Namha Youths, so during the 1980-1990s they were called as "Vietnamese Juventus" by sport medias. However, after some changing times due to sponsor replacements, it was fixed as the yellow, then added lime-red.

Hà Nam Ninh won the National Football Champions (V.League) in 1985 with star player Nguyễn Văn Dũng.

Overcome difficulties to survive

In 2001, Nam Định took second place in the National Championships, losing to Bình Định In 2007, the Nam Định football team changed its name to Đạm Phú Mỹ Nam Định and won its first National Cup under its new name. In 2009 the Nam Định Football team changed its name to Megastar Nam Định and failed in standing on V.League to 1st level tournament 2010.

From 2003 to present, the club currently competes in the V.League with a sponsor of former minister Đinh La Thăng as a businessman, the top flight of Vietnamese football.

In 2011, the team changed its name back to Mikado Nam Định and was relegated to the second division after only one year. In 2012, Mikado Nam Định failed to win promotion to the first division after losing on penalties to the Khánh Hòa youth team in the semi-finals. In 2014, Nam Định won a place in the 2015 First Division after defeating Vĩnh Long 4–0 in the Second Division final at Tam Kỳ Stadium, Quảng Nam. In 2016, the team finished third overall and took part in the play-off of the 2016 National First Division but failed to win promotion to the V.League.

The following season, the team won the 2017 First Division championship and won the only place to play in the 2018 V.League. In 2019, the team introduced a new sponsor, Nam Ha Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company, and changed its name to Nam Ha Nam Dinh Pharmaceutical Football Club to compete in the V.League 2019. In this season, the team had a 2–2 draw against Hoang Anh Gia Lai. In 2021, the team changed its name back to Nam Định Football Club after the end of the contract with Nam Ha Pharmaceutical Joint Stock Company.

However, this was still a period when financial difficulties always threaten the existence of the club. Typically, the times are continuously slow or out of the budget, even have to accept relegation because they cannot find a worthy funding. There are seasons that the team leaders have to pray for help from the fan association.

Top tier league champions

After many poor seasons and even near relegation, since 2023 under the guidance of head coach Vũ Hồng Việt, Nam Định has continuously been in the top 5 strongest teams in V-League.

On 25 June 2024, Nam Định officially won the 2023–24 V.League 1 title after winning Khanh Hoa 5–1. It its the club first tier league title after 39 years since their last win in 1985. Following the title, the club qualified for the inaugural 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two group stage, making their return to the intercontinental tournament since the 2008 AFC Champions League. On 18 September 2024, Nam Định played against Hong Kong club Lee Man at the Mong Kok Stadium. Rafaelson and Lucas Silva scored a goal to secured a 2–0 win over the Hong Kong club. Nam Định finished in second place in the group stage thus seeing the team advance to the round of 16 facing against Japanese club Sanfreece Hiroshima.

Team name

The name of club was also changed 10 times due to sponsor replacements :

  • Cotonkin (Hội túc cầu Hồng Bàng, 1920–1945)
  • Namha Youths (Đoàn bóng tròn Thanh niên Nam Hà, 1965–1978)
  • Hanamninh Industry (Đoàn bóng đá Công nghiệp Hà Nam Ninh, 1978–1991)
  • Namha (CLB BĐ Nam Hà, 1991–1996)
  • Namdinh (CLB BĐ Nam Định, 1997–2003)
  • Songda–Namdinh (CLB BĐ Sông Đà–Nam Định, 2003–2006)
  • Mikado–Namdinh (CLB BĐ Mikado–Nam Định, 2006–2007)
  • Phumy Fertilizer–Namdinh (CLB BĐ Đạm Phú Mĩ–Nam Định, 2007–2008)
  • Mikado–Namdinh (CLB BĐ Mikado–Nam Định, 2006–2007)
  • Megastar–Namdinh (CLB BĐ Megastar–Nam Định, 2009–2011)
  • Mikado–Namdinh (CLB BĐ Mikado–Nam Định, 2011–2013)
  • Namdinh (CLB BĐ Nam Định, 2013–2019)
  • Namha Pharma–Namdinh (CLB BĐ Dược Nam Hà–Nam Định, 2019–2020)
  • Namdinh (CLB BĐ Nam Định, 2021–2022)
  • Thepxanh–Namdinh (CLB BĐ Thép Xanh–Nam Định, 2023–present)

Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors such as :

Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
2016–2018 N/A Mikado
2018–2020 VNA Sport Vicostone - Thổi hồn vào đá
Nam Hà Pharma
2020–2023 Kelme Nam Hà Pharma
Xuân Thiện Group
2023–present Mitre Xuân Thiện Group


Nam Dinh Football Club, based in Nam Dinh City, Vietnam, is a prominent professional soccer team that competes in the V.League 1, the top tier of Vietnamese football. Established in 1965, the club has a rich history and a passionate fan base, known for their unwavering support and vibrant atmosphere during home matches at the Thiên Trường Stadium.

The team's colors are traditionally yellow and blue, symbolizing the club's identity and pride. Nam Dinh has a reputation for developing local talent and fostering a strong community connection, often drawing players from the surrounding region. Over the years, the club has experienced various successes, including notable performances in domestic competitions and a commitment to promoting the sport at grassroots levels.

Nam Dinh's style of play is characterized by its attacking flair and resilience, making them a formidable opponent in the league. The club's motto reflects its dedication to excellence and sportsmanship, aiming to inspire future generations of soccer players in Vietnam. With a blend of tradition and ambition, Nam Dinh Football Club continues to strive for success on the national stage while remaining a beloved symbol of local pride.