Vietnam beat Malaysia 3-0 in the opening match of Group A. Pham Hai Yen scored the first goal, then Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy made it 2-0. The third was an own goal from Malaysian midfielder Jaciah Jumilis.
Vietnam have not lost in the opening match of the competition since 2007.
Vietnam faced a much more difficult challenge in the second match, when they faced Myanmar.
In the 10th minute, Nguyen Thi Tuyet Dung made a pinpoint pass for Huynh Nhu to get a one-touch shot and scored. Myanmar equalized at the end of the first half and put an end to Vietnam's clean sheet streak at the SEA Games.
The turning point came when coach Mai Duc Chung brought on Nguyen Thi Thanh Nha and Tran Thi Thuy Trang in the second half and both scored.
Nha easily tapped in from Hoang Thi Loan's cross, and Trang scored arguably the most beautiful goal of the entire group stage with a delicate chip shot.
A 3-1 victory over Myanmar put Vietnam in a much more comfortable position in the so-called group of death, as the team only needed to avoid losing to Philippines by more than two goals in the last game to maintain the top spot.
The final match of the group stage against the Philippines was also the most difficult challenge for Vietnam because the opponents were superior in physique.
The Philippines moved ahead when Sarina Bolden scored from the penalty spot in the 12th minute. Bich Thuy then equalized for Vietnam with a tap-in at the end of the first half. The opponents constantly crossed the ball into Vietnam’s box in the second half, utilizing their height advantage.
Eventually, center-back Hali Long headed it in to seal a 2-1 victory for the Philippines.
Vietnam’s 14-match unbeaten streak at SEA Games was broken. However, this did not affect Vietnam's goal to top group A and reach the semifinals.
Meeting Cambodia, a much weaker opponent, Vietnam had a big chance to advance to the final again.
The hosts caused some trouble for Vietnam in the first 15 minutes before the level gap began to show.
Ngan Thi Van Su, Hai Yen, Tran Thi Thuy Trang, and Huynh Nhu wrote their names on the scoreboard, helping Vietnam beat Cambodia 4-0 and make it to their 10th SEA Games final.
In the gold medal match on Monday night, Vietnam opened the scoring against Myanmar in the 12th minute. Tuyet Dung (number 7) broke the offside trap before passing the ball to Huynh Nhu to find the empty net.
Just like the previous SEA Games final last year, Huynh Nhu's goal was a simple one, but important as it gave Vietnam the lead.
Huynh Nhu is the leading player in Vietnamese women's football with a total of 12 goals in SEA Games and 67 goals in 72 games in all competitions. With a ratio of nearly one goal per game, the fact that Nhu scored in two conscutive SEA Games finals is not a surprise.
The talent of coach Mai Duc Chung was also once again demonstrated in the final. When Vietnam got pressed, he brought Thanh Nha on as a substitute.
Once again Chung's decision-making was effective, when Thanh Nha sprinted down the right flank before chipping the ball over the Myanmar goalkeeper's head to make it 2-0.
