Brazilian midfielder granted Vietnamese citizenship

By Hieu Luong October 17, 2025 | 12:54 am PT

Midfielder Hendrio Araujo da Silva touches Vietnam's national flag placed across his Hanoi FC jersey. Photo by Minh Dan

Brazilian-born midfielder Hendrio Araujo da Silva was officially granted Vietnamese citizenship at a ceremony in Hanoi on Friday, where he wore the Vietnamese traditional dress ao dai and sang the national anthem.

The 31-year-old also adopted a Vietnamese name, Do Hoang Hen.

"I've been waiting for this moment for many months," he said at the ceremony. "I am happy, proud, and grateful to become a Vietnamese citizen."

Cầu thủ gốc Brazil Đỗ Hoàng Hên tại Lễ trao quyết định của Chủ tịch nước cho nhập quốc tịch Việt Nam, ở trụ sở Sở Tư pháp Hà Nội ngày 17/10/2025. Ảnh: Tam Anh

Hendrio Araujo da Silva, or Do Hoang Hen (R), and his girlfriend wear ao dai at the ceremony that granted him the Vietnamese citizenship at Hanoi Justice Department on Oct. 17, 2025. Photo by Tam Anh

Araujo previously trained with La Masia, the youth academy of Barcelona.

He arrived in Vietnam in December 2021 under a contract with Binh Dinh FC and quickly became one of the top players in the V.League. In January 2023, he joined Nam Dinh, where he scored 19 goals and provided 21 assists, playing a key role in the club's victory in the 2023-2024 V.League.

After leaving Nam Dinh in March 2025, Araujo joined Hanoi FC in May 2025 under a contract lasting until the end of the 2027-2028 season.

As a midfielder for Hanoi FC, he expressed his intention to contribute to the Vietnam national football team, and he will be eligible for selection from December 2025, when he will have lived in Vietnam for five years.

"I will make more efforts to deserve the trust that everyone has put in me," he said.