Lịch sử 31 October 2026
V.League history: from semi-pro to professional
Four decades of name changes, formats and changing crowds.
The Vietnamese national championship began in 1980 as the A1 tournament.
Its history mirrors the shift from subsidised sport to professionalism.
1980-1990: ministry teams
Police, army, railways and customs sides funded by their agencies.
1990-2000: the club model
Sponsor names, contracts and transfers begin.
2000-2012: professionalism and a spending bubble
More teams and money, followed by financial collapses.
2012-2020: stability
Fourteen teams, two-round format, early academy investment.
2020 onwards: audiences and rights
Streaming grows and broadcast rights become key revenue.
Conclusion
Persistence is the foundation, but not yet a regional product.