Previously, derby matches – contests between teams from the same locality – were primarily seen in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. However, the reduction of provinces and cities from 63 to 34 will lead to a record number of derbies in the 2025-2026 V-League.

Pham Tuan Hai (left) scores a penalty in the 14th minute of added time, helping Hanoi FC draw 1-1 with Cong An Ha Noi in round four of the 2024-2025 V-League. Photo: Minh Minh.

Hanoi boasts CAHN, The Cong, and Hanoi FC. Ninh Binh has Ninh Binh FC and Nam Dinh. Da Nang is home to Da Nang FC and Quang Nam. Ho Chi Minh City has Ho Chi Minh City FC and Binh Duong. This makes for a total of 12 derby matches.

The highest number of derbies in the V-League was 10, recorded in the 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 seasons. At that time, Hanoi had derbies between The Cong and CAHN, Ho Chi Minh City had Cang Sai Gon (now Ho Chi Minh City FC) and Cong An Ho Chi Minh City, while the police force had Cong An Hai Phong, Cong An Ho Chi Minh City, and CAHN.

The 2025-2026 V-League season kicks off on 9/8 with the National Super Cup match between Nam Dinh and CAHN. The V-League itself begins on 15/8/2025 and concludes on 18/6/2026.

The 2024-2025 V-League season saw six derbies in Hanoi between CAHN, Hanoi FC, and The Cong.

Under the new regulations, the 2025-2026 V-League will have two direct relegation spots. Last season, Binh Dinh was directly relegated, while 13th-placed Da Nang won the relegation play-off against the second-placed team in the First Division, Binh Phuoc, with a 2-0 victory.

This will be the ninth V-League season with two direct relegation spots, following the 2000-2001, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, and 2012 seasons. In 2007, 2008, and 2009, there was also a relegation play-off for the 12th-placed team.

Binh Phuoc forward Nguyen Cong Phuong (green) dribbles during the 0-2 loss to Da Nang in the play-off for a place in the 2025-2026 V-League at Thong Nhat Stadium, Ho Chi Minh City, on 27/6/2025. Photo: Duc Dong.

V-League teams are also allowed to increase their foreign player quota from three to four per match, with three on the field and one substitute. If the reigning V-League champions Nam Dinh and National Cup holders Cong An Ha Noi (CAHN) participate in the AFC Champions League Two and the Southeast Asian Club Cup, they can register up to seven foreign players. However, only four players are allowed per match, with three on the field and one substitute.

The V-League first allowed foreign players in the 2000-2001 season. Each team could register five foreign players, but the rules have changed several times since. The rule of only three foreign players on the field at any one time has been maintained.

The number of foreign players increased to seven in the 2001-2002 season and then back to four in 2003. From 2005 to 2010, the number remained at five. In 2011, it was reduced to four, and then to three from 2013 to the 2024-2025 season.

The 2025-2026 First Division will also allow each team to register one foreign player after a 10-year absence since 2015. V-League teams competing against First Division teams in the National Cup will be allowed one foreign player.

Each V-League and First Division team can also register two overseas Vietnamese players without Vietnamese citizenship and one naturalized player of foreign origin, like Nguyen Xuan Son.

Brazilian striker Brenner (third from right) celebrates Nam Dinh's 3-0 win over Hanoi FC in round 21 of the 2024-2025 V-League at Hang Day Stadium on the evening of 4/5/2025. Photo: Hieu Luong.

These two adjustments were approved at the eighth meeting of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) Executive Committee for the 2022-2026 term in March. The Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF), the organizer of Vietnam's professional football leagues, used this as a basis for applying the new season's regulations.

The First Division will run from 19/9/2025 to 17/6/2026, and the National Cup from 13/9/2025 to 25/6/2026.

Hieu Luong