Issue Focus

Lotte Group has announced the production of the second season of the popular Vietnamese youth soccer TV program, 'Cau Thu Nhi' (Little Footballer). Co-produced with Vietnam's national broadcaster VTV, the show is set to begin airing on August 25. The program, which focuses on discovering and nurturing young soccer talents in Vietnam, was a major success during its first season from 2011 to 2022, boasting an average viewership rating of 10.6% and a recognition rate of 64%.
Season 2 aims to further youth development through collaboration with the Vietnam Football Federation. Featuring former Korean national team player Lee Young-pyo as a special coach and prominent Vietnamese players like Bùi Tiến Dụng and Hồ Tấn Tài, the show promises valuable training experiences. Young participants will train with various football teams in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, with one standout player earning a tryout opportunity with the professional team Viettel FC.
Lotte's involvement extends beyond production, as they have also funded youth soccer activities to help address local infrastructure challenges. Vietnam's Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Nguyễn Văn Hùng, expressed gratitude to Lotte for their corporate social responsibility efforts, acknowledging their important role in supporting the country's sports development.