The win sets Nam Dinh up nicely for their home tie against Bangkok United of Thailand in two weeks, while Lee Man face Singapore’s Tampines Rovers.
The home side dominated the early proceedings with Ryoya Tachibana setting up Jiloan Hamad, whose ong range effort just missed the target, before Nam Dinh began to dominate.
Nguyen Van Toan and Rafaelson threatened in the 10th minute before Joseph Mpande saw his effort blocked two minutes later, while Lucas and Lucas Silva both saw their efforts from inside the box saved.
Limited to only counter-attacks, Lee Man came close in the 17th minute with Everton Camargo weaving his way inside the packed six-yard-box only to finish with a tame effort which was easily dealt with by Nam Dinh keeper Tran Nguyen Manh.
Nam Dinh continued to toil with To Van Vu wasting his chance from a set-piece situation in the 20th minute before Caio César failed to trouble Lee Man keeper Chan Ka Ho from distance a minute later.
The breakthrough finally arrived for the away side just before the half-hour mark when Lucas Silva’s powerful shot was deflected into the path of Rafaelson, who rifled it into the back of the net.
Nam Dinh came close to doubling their advantage in the 55th minute after Ly Cong Hoang Anh spotted Chan off his line, but his weighted effort from just above the box sailed over the bar.
Lee Man tried to claw their way back and came close to scoring in the 67th minute after Paulissen set up Camargo nicely inside the box, but the Brazilian’s tame effort was easily collected by Tran Nguyen Manh.
The Hong Kong side came close again four minutes later with Henri Anier angling his headed attempt into the side netting, before Nam Dinh responded with the second goal on the break.
Rafaelson’s attempt was parried away by Chan, only for the ball to land kindly for Lucas Silva to slot home into an empty net to seal the three points for Nam Dinh.
