2008 champions and tournament co-hosts Vietnam moved to the brink of the semifinals of the AFF Suzuki Cup after accounting for Laos 3-0 in Hanoi, with two of the goals coming in the last six minutes.
Barring some freak results on the final Group A match day on Friday, Vietnam, on four points from two matches, will join Philippines (six points) in the last four, with Indonesia (one point) and Laos (no points) eliminated.
The Vietnamese were determined to put in a more complete performance at the My Dinh Stadium than their 2-2 draw against Indonesia on Saturday when they twice let the lead slip.
The Laotians were hoping to start positively as they did in their opening Group A match against the Philippines when they took a shock lead only to leak two goals before half-time. The minnows matched the co-hosts in the early stages and had two shots on target.
But on 24 minutes, Vietnam midfielder Minh Tuan Vu ran onto a defence-splitting pass from Tan Tai Le to put his side ahead. The 24-year-old stabbed the ball past goalkeeper Soukthavy Soundala much to the delight of the home fans.
The Vietnamese took a 1-0 lead to the break after a slightly lethargic first half display.
Laos soaked up increased pressure as Vietnam had several chances to double their lead. In the 48th minute, Le Cong Vinh sent his free header wide before hitting the post eight minutes later. Then in the 67th minute, Le Cong Vinh's backheel set up a one-on-one for goalscorer Minh Tuan Vu.
The Laotians tested the home side on the break as Vietnam clung on to a tenuous lead.
Toshiya Miura's side had a chance to put the game out of reach when substitute Pham Luong attempted a free-kick in the 78th minute from the edge of the box. But the left-footed shot was easily claimed by Soukthavy Soundala.
Then in the 84th minute, after a period of sustained pressure, Le Cong Vinh finally got on the scoresheet when Tan Tai's shot was parried by Soukthavy.
The rout was complete when Huy Hung Nguyen scored his first international goal in the 88th minute.
Vietnam will need at least a point from their final Group A game against Philippines on Friday to guarantee a spot in the last four while Laos face up to Indonesia.