Brian Jeffrey
What transformations are on the horizon for Vietnamese football and the V-League as regions with their own teams undergo reorganization into new governance frameworks?
Recent administrative changes throughout Vietnam are impacting governance and also shaking up the football landscape—particularly the professional leagues.
This significant shift has resulted in various independent provincial football teams being consolidated under a single local authority effective July 1, 2025. Notable examples include Binh Duong FC and Ho Chi Minh City FC, as well as Thep Xanh Nam Dinh – Ninh Binh, and Quang Nam – SHB Da Nang.
Consequently, supporters and commentators are left with pressing inquiries regarding the future trajectory and advancement of these clubs, particularly in the First Division (V.League 2), which primarily relies on funding from local governments.
The critical inquiry: can the local budgets adequately support two or three professional teams? This presents a tough challenge for regions hosting multiple clubs at different league tiers.
In light of financial constraints, local leaders may find themselves compelled to make a difficult yet pragmatic choice: either merge teams into a single sporting entity or, more drastically, dissolve less critical teams to pool resources.
The loss of a team signifies more than just the elimination of a football club—it represents a dilution of community identity and the disenchantment of numerous fans who cherish supporting their local team every weekend. However, within the larger societal changes, such consequences may become unavoidable.
Amid these challenges, there exists a clear potential for Vietnamese football and the V-League to make significant advancements. The rise of multiple clubs from the same area creates opportunities for intense local rivalries that are both competitive and captivating.
These regional matchups have always sparked interest, attracting fans and media attention while enhancing the overall standard of the league.
The transformation of Vietnamese football post-merger is inevitable. Whether this change leads to setbacks or revitalization will largely depend on the foresight and determination of football executives, club owners, and the organizations themselves.
There is optimism that historic teams will persist, fostering the development of more vibrant rivalries, thus helping the V-League to enter a new chapter—25 years after its shift from amateur to professional play.
Duy Nguyen
