V-League and the 'legend' of derby matches

The history of Vietnam's top football leagues has witnessed many "derby" matches, which include confrontations between teams from the same city, locality, or region. However, in the 26-year-old V-League, this does not frequently occur.

Hanoi FC secured a 2-1 victory over CAHN in the recent Round 15 of LPBank V-League 2025/2026; theoretically, that could be considered a surprise in one of the rare derbies of Vietnam's top league. But it was actually quite normal. Hanoi FC was stronger and played more rationally than CAHN in a match where they faced little pressure.

Before CAHN emerged as a force in the domestic league, Hanoi FC (formerly known as Hanoi T&T) dominated the competition for many years. Their 6 V-League championships are a rare record that no other club has achieved, including The Cong, Sai Gon Port, or B.Binh Duong... However, that era has passed. In the last 3-4 seasons, the domestic league no longer belongs solely to the T&T "family".

Returning to the recent Capital derby. In fact, given the strength of the team at Hang Day Stadium (Hanoi FC), they can beat anyone they want. With quality domestic and foreign players, plus a fresh coaching staff and coach Harry Kewell injecting a winning desire into the team, Hanoi FC truly fears no opponent. Even the strongest V-League team like CAHN. But...

The rise of CAHN, along with The Cong Viettel and previously Hanoi FC, creates intense rivalries and fiery derbies between teams from the same city, here being the Capital Hanoi. There is no holding back, and that is exactly what fans await. It resembles the old days with The Cong - CAHN - Vietnam Railways. But only now do we see it; from last year and earlier, it was almost nonexistent. The contention over Hang Day Stadium somewhat shows who is the master now.

Derby matches, in the true sense, are becoming increasingly rare. In Ho Chi Minh City, CA TP.HCM Club is the sole representative, instead of possibly competing with Customs or Sai Gon Port as over 25 years ago. TP.HCM Club (BR-VT) now seems like a borrowed shell. TN TP.HCM or Van Hien University TP.HCM are not worthy opponents to create derbies.

In the old Region IV, with Thanh Hoa - Nghe An - Ha Tinh, some rise while others fall after the recent Round 15. Thanh Hoa may no longer be salvageable, though the Thanh region team has not yet hit rock bottom.

In the Northeast region, Nam Dinh just regained victory, but Hai Phong, Ninh Binh, and PVF CAND did not achieve the desired results. The most unpredictable season ever, only when the curtain closes, will we know what is...

Always remembering the derby matches!