When will Hendio be naturalized and take the name Đỗ Hoàng Hên?

Hanoi FC chose not to register the expensive signing Hendrio Da Silva as a foreign player in the opening rounds of the 2025/26 V-League. Hendrio (also known as Đỗ Hoàng Hên, as he wishes) is being saved for the naturalized foreign player slot this season.

"Hên’s" strong desire to be naturalized, giving him the chance to serve not only Hanoi FC but also the Vietnamese national team, is entirely legitimate. The former Nam Dinh striker has emphasized this wish many times in his public statements.

Besides his talent, Hendrio is also a likable and civilized person. A few months ago, those involved began submitting his application for Vietnamese citizenship.

Based on recent developments, Hendrio Da Silva may realize his wish after the first three rounds of this V-League season, plus the FIFA Days in September 2025 when the league pauses for the national team. The last time Hanoi FC had a naturalized foreign player was over five years ago, with striker Hoàng Vũ Samson.

As Thể thao & Văn hóa has pointed out in several articles, the importance of foreign players, naturalized players, and overseas Vietnamese players is vital for the club's ambitions. Over the past 3-4 years, Hanoi FC has missed out on the V-League championship, mainly due to poor quality foreign players and instability within the coaching staff.

The club, which has won six V-League titles along with numerous other domestic honors such as the National Cup and Super Cup, has long aspired to compete at the continental level. However, their best achievement remains reaching the Inter-zone Final of the 2019 AFC Cup (now the second-tier AFC Champions League Two). Chairman Hiển wants his team to improve their competitiveness, but that may only happen next season, since this year's Asian club competition slots have already been awarded to Nam Dinh and CAHN, the reigning domestic champions.