After seasons of lackluster performances and limited momentum, the 2025/26 V-League has launched with a spectacular revival in its opening round, offering renewed hope for the future of Vietnam’s national team.

A new era for the V-League

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Percy Tau’s arrival has ignited excitement across V-League fans.

This transformation stems from an unprecedented wave of deep and strategic investment. A series of high-profile international signings have chosen Vietnam as their new home, none more striking than the blockbuster arrival of Percy Tau.

The South African national team player and former Premier League star’s move to Nam Dinh FC created an immediate buzz across the league.

And Percy Tau isn't alone. The V-League has already witnessed the arrival of highly valued players such as Matheus Felipe (valued at €1 million), Willian, and Njabulo Blom (each around €900,000).

Alongside these foreign stars, talented overseas Vietnamese players like Chung Nguyen Do (Ninh Binh FC) and Brando Ly have raised the league’s profile to a new level.

These marquee signings are not merely marketing tools. They’ve rapidly elevated the value of the clubs and made the V-League one of the region’s most vibrant transfer markets.

More importantly, the impact has been immediate on the pitch. The opening matches of the season delivered fast-paced, high-quality, and tactically sophisticated football - thrilling crowds at Hang Day, Thien Truong, and Thong Nhat stadiums.

Vietnam’s national team poised to rise

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The 2025/26 V-League is off to its most exciting start in years.

As the V-League flourishes, the biggest beneficiary is undoubtedly the national team. The connection between a strong domestic league and a competitive national squad is undeniable.

A weak league cannot consistently produce top-tier players. But that narrative is changing.

Young national players, especially those in the U23 squad, must now step up their efforts—improving their skills, fitness, and competitiveness—to earn their spots alongside high-quality foreign players and top-level overseas Vietnamese athletes.

Facing seasoned professionals like Percy Tau and Matheus Felipe will help Vietnamese players grow and improve, rather than standing out only because of weak opposition—as was often the case in past seasons.

An exciting, professional, and competitive V-League not only provides the national team with a deeper talent pool but also produces a new generation of players with confidence and resilience—ready to stand tall alongside or against well-known international names.

This may well be a turning point for the V-League, and fans have every reason to believe the national team will soon “level up” and thrive without relying on naturalized players.

Duy Nguyen