V.League 1 side Hanoi FC have applied for permission to rename the club Saigon FC  tothe Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF).

The team will relocate from Hanoi to HCM City and play home fixtures at Thong Nhat Stadium.

The club is not changing owners and the rights and duties of the club with the VFF, VPF, tournaments and related individuals and organizations are unchanged, according to Nguyen Giang Dong, chairman of Hanoi FC.

“Many Hanoi FC shareholders are HCM City residents. They proposed that the club move to HCM City to be more easily managed and developed,” said Dong.

Hanoi FC won the National First Division Football Tournament last year and were promoted to play in the V. League.

The newly promoted team ranks fourth out of 14 V.League 1with seven points after four rounds.

If the VFF and VPF approve, the team will be renamed Saigon FC from the League’s fifth round on April 10. They next play Song Lam Nghe An at Vinh Stadium.

VNS