National Second Division Draw: Tense Wait for Three Promotion Spots

On March 10th, at the headquarters of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), the draw ceremony for scheduling the 2026 National Second Division Football League took place. This season continues to gather 14 participating teams, competing for three promotion spots to the National First Division League for the 2026/27 season.

Speaking at the ceremony, representing the VFF and the Tournament Organizing Committee, Mr. Nguyen Van Phu – General Secretary of the VFF, Head of the Tournament Organizing Committee emphasized the crucial role of the National Second Division League within Vietnam's football competition system. This is not only a competitive arena for promotion to professional football among teams nationwide, but also contributes to maintaining the stable development of the national competition system, while providing opportunities for localities and clubs to discover and train player resources for higher levels of Vietnamese football.

The 2026 season features the participation of 14 teams, including 9 teams continuing from the 2025 National Second Division League: Dak Lak, Mekong Can Tho (transferred from Hoai Duc Club), Lam Dong, Quang Ngai (formerly Kon Tum team), PVF, Tay Ninh, Hanoi Youth, SHB Da Nang Youth, and Vinh Long; Hue relegated from the 2024/25 National First Division League; along with 4 teams promoted from the 2025 National Third Division League: Phu Dong Youth, Hanoi Police Youth, Ha Tinh Sports Training & Competition Center, and Truong Giang Gia Dinh.

The 14 teams are divided into two groups, each with 7 teams based on geographical region and registered playing venues. Group A includes: Hanoi Police Youth, Hanoi Youth, Phu Dong Youth, PVF, Ha Tinh Sports Training & Competition Center, Hue, and SHB Da Nang Youth. Group B includes: Mekong Can Tho, Vinh Long, Truong Giang Gia Dinh, Tay Ninh, Quang Ngai, Dak Lak, and Lam Dong.

According to the competition format, teams will play a double round-robin (home and away) in the qualifying round to calculate points and rankings within each group. The top two teams from each group will qualify for the final round. In the final round, the four teams will be paired to compete in knockout matches to determine the three teams earning promotion to the National First Division League for the 2026/27 season.

According to the plan, the qualifying round of the 2026 National Second Division League will take place from March 24th to June 7th, 2026, with the first leg from March 24th to April 25th and the second leg from May 6th to June 7th. The final round is scheduled to be held from June 13th to June 16th, 2026.