Silver hair bids farewell to green hair: Referee Tran Dinh Thinh's last visit home!

On August 5, the family welcomed referee Tran Dinh Thinh back home, but sadly, it was not like the previous times...

Referee Tran Dinh Thinh visits home for the last time

With his son pursuing a career in sports , the family is used to referee Tran Dinh Thinh's long business trips. Short ones are a few weeks, long ones are a month or even a few months before he returns home. Early this August, he went to Hanoi to attend a training course and participate in a physical test to prepare for the new V-League season about to start. The family thought he would return in about a week, but unexpectedly, he returned earlier, in a way no one expected.

The bus arrived at Dinh Quan commune ( Dong Nai ) at dawn on August 5.

PHOTO: VO HIEU

Heartbreaking last notes of referee Tran Dinh Thinh: Dedicated for life

In the early morning of August 5, the car carrying the body of referee Tran Dinh Thinh stopped by his home in Trang Dai ward (formerly Bien Hoa city, Dong Nai province) for him to visit his family for the last time before rolling to Dinh Quan commune - where he grew up with his parents - also where his family held his funeral.

The old lady could not stand and had to be supported to see her child's face for the last time.

PHOTO: VO HIEU

Referee Thinh's father (silver hair) discussed the funeral organization with his family and VPF officials.

PHOTO: VO HIEU

Since hearing the bad news about their son, his parents (87-year-old man and 85-year-old woman) were stunned and speechless with grief. The old man went in and out to prepare a proper funeral for his son.

According to the family, referee Tran Dinh Thinh's father is seriously ill and has just had eye surgery. Although people advised him to temporarily move to another place to avoid the cold air of the recently deceased (according to folk beliefs), the old man still wishes to take care of his son properly.

Referee Thinh’s older brother was also getting old. He couldn’t sleep all night, waiting for the bus to take him home. At 2am, he and everyone else sorted out his brother’s belongings and reread the notes in his brother’s notebook.

Friends and neighbors mourn

Relatives stay up all night to prepare for the funeral

PHOTO: VO HIEU

Referee Thinh's relics were brought back to his family.

PHOTO: VO HIEU

Many relatives, friends and neighbors were waiting at referee Thinh's parents' house to welcome him home.

PHOTO: VO HIEU

When he was alive, referee Tran Dinh Thinh was considered by everyone to be a friendly, generous and kind person. Therefore, many relatives, neighbors, friends and colleagues were present with the family from the moment they heard the bad news to take care of the funeral of the unfortunate referee.

General Secretary of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) Nguyen Van Phu shared: “The passing of Mr. Thinh is a great pain for the national referee force. He was a serious and dedicated person who always showed a spirit of learning and responsibility. This is a loss that cannot be described in words.”

VFF and Vietnam Football Joint Stock Company VPF said they will coordinate with the family to organize a complete and ceremonial funeral, as a way to express gratitude for the silent but profound contributions of referee Tran Dinh Thinh to Vietnamese football. A quiet person, but leaving an indelible mark in the hearts of those who love the football field.

According to information from the family, the funeral of referee Tran Dinh Thinh will be held at 9:00 a.m. on August 5 (June 12 of the lunar calendar). After that, the funeral will be held at 2:00 p.m. on August 7, 2025 (June 15 of the lunar calendar). After the funeral, the coffin of referee Tran Dinh Thinh will be buried at Phap Quang Pagoda Cemetery (Dong Nai).

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/mai-dau-bac-tien-biet-mai-dau-xanh-chuyen-tham-nha-lan-cuoi-cua-trong-tai-tran-dinh-thinh-185250805114702016.htm