From historical milestones to the goal of elevating status.

VHO - After the 2026 Women's National Cup concluded with many positive professional achievements, Vietnamese women's football continues to focus its attention on the most important competition of the year: the National Championship, which will kick off in June. Notably, this season witnesses a series of historic changes, demonstrating the determination of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) to elevate women's football.

The decision to allow foreign players in the national league is a historic change that elevates the league's status.

Memorable milestones

The 2026 Women's National Cup has just concluded in Thai Nguyen, with Ho Chi Minh City Women's Club winning the championship after a penalty shootout victory over Hanoi I in the final. This is not only the fifth title for the team from Ho Chi Minh City in this competition, but also marks another memorable milestone in the development of Vietnamese women's football.

With this year's championship title, the Ho Chi Minh City Women's Club continues to affirm its position as the most successful team in the history of the tournament, having won the title 5 times out of 8 editions. Previously, the team was crowned champion in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2025. This impressive achievement demonstrates the team's professional stability, squad depth, and well-planned investment strategy over many seasons.

Beyond its competitive nature, this year's National Cup is also highly regarded for its professional quality. Many young players have made a significant impact, contributing to a fresh new look for Vietnamese women's football. Alongside experienced players, the maturation of the next generation of players is seen as a positive sign for the future of the national team.

Established in 2019, the National Cup has increasingly affirmed its important role in the Vietnamese women's football competition system. It's not only a platform for clubs to compete but also an opportunity for players to gain experience, improve their skills, and maintain their form before major domestic and international tournaments.

Through the tournament, many localities and clubs have also boldly invested more in women's football, from youth training to long-term team building. This contributes to promoting the widespread development of women's football, creating an important foundation for the goal of elevating Vietnamese women's football in the future.

This year's tournament witnessed a historic moment. In the 27th minute of the match between Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Group A on May 13th, Brazilian striker Joelma Church Alves Gabriel scored the opening goal, paving the way for a 2-1 victory for Ho Chi Minh City. Joelma's penalty goal made her the first foreign player to score in the history of Vietnamese women's domestic football leagues.

Concluding the 2026 season, the National Cup continues to demonstrate its growing appeal and important role in the development of Vietnamese women's football. The success of the tournament is a positive sign, giving fans hope for further progress in women's football in the future.

Efforts to raise standards

Following the National Cup, the most important tournament of the year for Vietnamese women's football, the National Championship, will take place in June. For the first time in the history of the tournament, each women's club is allowed to register one foreign player (in addition to two overseas Vietnamese players). This is seen as a bold step to improve the professional quality and increase the competitiveness of the tournament. The presence of foreign players not only helps teams improve their strength but also creates an environment for domestic players to learn about tactical thinking, physical fitness, and modern playing intensity.

In the context of Vietnamese women's football moving towards professionalism, having to compete for positions with foreign players and overseas Vietnamese players will force domestic players to work harder to prove themselves. This is also an opportunity for young players to mature faster by adapting to a fast-paced, physical, and high-pressure style of play.

Another notable change is that the tournament will switch to a home-and-away format instead of the centralized format of previous seasons. The home and away format not only gives clubs more opportunities to promote their image locally but also contributes to building a culture of supporting women's football in many provinces and cities. Players will also experience a more professional competitive environment, from travel and tactical preparation to adapting to the pressure of playing away games.

Furthermore, the VFF has also begun implementing a licensing system for professional women's football clubs. Criteria regarding youth training, finances, facilities, and operational structure will become mandatory requirements for teams participating in the league. This is considered a crucial foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnamese women's football and for gradually approaching the level of leading football nations in Asia.

The appeal of this year's season also stems from the qualification for the AFC Champions League – a competition considered the "Asian Champions League" for the strongest women's clubs in the continent. The fact that the winning team will represent Vietnam in this continental tournament will undoubtedly make the race for the title more intense than ever.

The significant changes to the 2026 National Championship demonstrate the VFF's clear direction in building a professional, modern, and highly competitive women's football system. This is not only an important step forward for Vietnamese women's football but also a development trend that many leading Asian countries have been pursuing.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/the-thao/tu-dau-moc-lich-su-den-muc-tieu-nang-tam-232502.html