The team started to play under the State of Vietnam in January 1949, two months before France recognized Vietnamese nominal independence.

Unlike its southern counterpart, the latter was never allowed to join FIFA or the AFC.

South Vietnam took part in the first two Asian Cups finals (1956 and 1960), finishing last both times.

The South Vietnam team played their last games at 1976 AFC Asian Cup qualification in March 1975, and ceased to exist after the Fall of Saigon in April, when the Vietnam War ended.

Hong Kong and Japan advanced but neither got any further, losing play-offs for the next round to South Korea and Israel respectively.