Vietnam’s professional football: Changes before new season

It is likely that the 2025-2026 National Football Championship (V.League 1) will have only 13 teams left if Quang Nam merge with Da Nang. Meanwhile, in the National First Division (V.League 2), Dong Nai have been dissolved; the situations of Khanh Hoa and Long An have still remained unknown. Vietnam’s professional football is expected to experience changes before the new season.

It is time for Vietnam’s professional football teams to adapt to changes and take advantage of opportunities to develop after the merger of provinces and cities nationwide. In fact, prior to the new season, some V.League 1 teams changed their names. For example, Becamex Binh Duong changed to Becamex Ho Chi Minh City after Binh Duong Province merged into Ho Chi Minh City; Ho Chi Minh City changed its name to Ho Chi Minh City Police.

Quang Nam (player on the right) in a match with Thep Xanh Nam Dinh in V.League 1 season 2024-2025 (Source: VPF)

Most recently, the fanpage of Quang Nam (currently playing in V.League 1) confirmed 2 possibilities for the fate of this team. Specifically, Quang Nam will remain in V.League 1 season 2025-2026 in case the team has its own sponsor, enough resources to maintain and develop Quang Nam’s football. Otherwise, if there is no sponsor, Quang Nam will be transferred to Da Nang.

In the National First Division (V.League 2), Dong Nai has been dissolved; Truong Tuoi Binh Phuoc changed its name to Truong Tuoi Dong Nai after Binh Phuoc Province merged with Dong Nai Province. Khanh Hoa, although not affected by the merger, is facing financial difficulties and is at risk of withdrawing from the tournament. Specifically, Khanh Hoa's sponsor, Khanh Viet Corporation, recently sent a document to Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee requesting a directive to cease the team’s operation. As for Long An, it's currently uncertain whether they will participate in V.League 2 after Long An Province merged with Tay Ninh Province.

In the coming days, Vietnam’s football in general and Vietnam’s professional football leagues (V.League 1, V.League 2) in particular, will undergo significant adjustments and changes to align with the current situation. Clubs and teams lacking strong backing, financial resources, or facing management issues will be replaced, making way for stronger ones. Young football talent training at centers nationwide will also see notable changes, with a greater focus on investing in quality development for youth teams.

The recent changes in Vietnam’s professional football present both challenges and opportunities for change and development, aligning with current trends, especially in the context that the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has just approved the project on developing Vietnam’s football to 2030, with a vision to 2045, with many important objectives, notably the target for he national men's football team participating in the 2034 World Cup.

AN NHIEN
Translated by H.N