Vinschool The Harmony, the reigning boys' champion, and Phan Dinh Phung High School, the girls' champion for two consecutive seasons, are both on the roster for this year's VYB Championship 5x5.

The Harmony defeated Cau Giay High School in last season's final in a close contest with a score of 41-36. Cau Giay High School also competes this year. Viet Duc High School, one of two teams that shared third place last season, returns. Nguyen Tat Thanh High School, the other joint third-place team, is not listed.

In the girls' division, Phan Dinh Phung High School, which beat Vinschool The Harmony 37-29 in the 2025 final, remains a top championship candidate. Harmony, the runner-up, and Viet Duc High School, the third-place team, also continue to compete.

Phan Dinh Phung High School girls' team (white jerseys) and Vinschool The Harmony in the 2025 final. *Photo: Giang Huy*

New faces join the competition

Alongside familiar names, the third season welcomes many new participants. Half of this year's boys' teams are first-time entrants, including Vietnam - Poland High School, Le Quy Don Junior and Senior High School, Yen Hoa High School, Doan Ket - Hai Ba Trung High School, Quang Trung - Dong Da High School, and Doan Thi Diem High School. This group also includes Olympia High School, Marie Curie Junior and Senior High School - Ha Dong, Everest High School, Vinschool Smart City, Newton Grammar School, and Luong The Vinh High School Campus A.

The girls' division features 4 new schools. Yen Hoa High School and Quang Trung - Dong Da High School compete in both categories in their debut season. Tay Ho High School and Nguyen Sieu Junior and Senior High School only have girls' teams.

The 24 boys' teams will divide into 6 groups, with 4 teams in each group. Teams will play a round-robin format in the group stage, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the quarterfinals. The 12 girls' teams will divide into 4 groups, and only the top team from each group will secure a spot in the semifinals.

The draw for the groups takes place on 2/10, the opening ceremony is on 11/10, and the finals are on 29/11.

This season, the tournament will also feature the first-ever VYB 3x3 Festival for basketball clubs in Hanoi, with U18 and Pro categories, held from 20-22/11.

The VnExpress Youth Basketball - Ziaja Cup is organized by VnExpress newspaper and FPT Online Services Joint Stock Company, sponsored by Ziaja Cosmetics, with professional consultation from the Vietnam Basketball Federation, and supported by Baniphar and eupc GROUP.

Yen Chi