Vietnam football referee dies at 43 after collapsing during physical test

Tran Dinh Thinh, who won the V-League's Silver Whistle in 2025, fainted at the Hanoi Athletics Palace on Sunday morning, and the medical team on standby performed first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation before admitting him to Bach Mai Hospital.

His prognosis was deemed bad at admission, and, despite doctors' efforts, he died at 2:00 a.m. on Monday.

The exact cause of death is not known yet.

Referee Tran Dinh Thinh at a V-League match in Go Dau Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo by VnExpress/Duc Dong

Thinh's sudden passing caused great shock within the referee community.

From the U.S., former referee Vu Nguyen Vu said: "I have been with Thinh for many years, sharing a room, refereeing the same matches... On the outside, everyone thinks Thinh is very difficult. But when living close and interacting, we see that he is a gentle, studious and brave person.

"Even though we live far away, we still regularly contact, discuss work and visit his family. I am very sorry to have to part with him like this."

Thinh, from the southern province of Dong Nai, was highly regarded for his expertise and ability not to make serious mistakes, and also won the Bronze Whistle in 2024.

He was recognized as a FIFA referee in 2019 and 2020. In addition to refereeing, he also worked as a physical education teacher at a secondary school in his hometown.

Former referee Vu Nguyen Vu (L) and Tran Dinh Thinh at a V-League match. Photo by VnExpress/Dong Huyen

The physical test Thinh was part of was done at 5 a.m. to avoid the extreme heat wave in parts of northern Vietnam that has seen temperatures soar to 37 degrees Celsius, and ambulances and medical teams were standing by to respond to any possible situation.

The tests for referees are part of the preparations by the Vietnam Football Federation before the start of the season, and only referees who pass the physical and professional tests based on FIFA regulations can work during the season.

One young referee said: "Before the test Thinh had prepared very carefully. He slept early and did not eat or drink irregularly. So when the incident happened, everyone was very surprised and worried."

After Thinh's death a number of his colleagues refused to go ahead with the physical test.

Of the 62 referees and assistant referees who did take part, 55 passed.

Referee Tran Dinh Thinh at a physica test in Hanoi, Aug. 3, 2025. Photo by VFF

In 2018 during the final physical test in preparation for the national league, assistant referee Duong Ngoc Tan collapsed on the field. He was taken to Saint Paul Hospital, Hanoi, for intensive care and then transferred to Bach Mai Hospital, but he died five days later. He was 37.

According to VFF general secretary Nguyen Van Phu, Thinh's death is a great loss to Vietnamese football, especially to the national referee force. "Thinh was professional, serious in his work, and was loved by all his colleagues. His passing leaves a huge void and unspeakable pain. The VFF will coordinate with the Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF) to organize the funeral in a most solemn and meaningful way."

VPF chairman Tran Anh Tu was also shocked by the sudden passing of the referee who had been working for many years.

"Thinh was experienced, made great contributions and was honored with prestigious awards of the V-League.

"His dedication and professionalism have always been recognized by us. This is a great loss."