V.League 1-2021 - Round 12 - Hoang Anh Gia Lai vs Becamex Binh Duong - Pleiku Stadium - May 2, 2021 Hoang Anh Gia Lai's Nguyen Van Toan in action. (Photo: VPF)

Specifically, on July 19, the VPF sent a dispatch and voting papers to its shareholders and 27 V.League 1 and First Division (V.League-2) clubs to collect their opinions on the projected plan to continue Vietnam’s 2021 national professional football competitions.

Time fund conditions show that the August 23, 2021-February 1, 2022 period coincides with the national team’s competition and health quarantine plans for participating in international matches and tournaments.

Given that fact, to ensure the goal of finalising the 2021 season once the pandemic is brought under control, the VPF has designed plans for the continued organisation of this year’s domestic professional tournaments, expected to restart on November 20, 2021 with the rescheduled matches of Round 7 of the first phase of the National First Division Tournament, concluding on March 18, 2022 with the final of the Vietnamese National Cup.

With the aforementioned plans, the 2021 season will be extended to 2022, causing many difficulties for clubs and tournament organisers. In addition, some relevant legal regulations will have to be adjusted to suit the tournaments. However, the efforts to finalise the 2021 season will contribute to maintaining the system of professional football tournaments in the country, creating a competitive environment for players to maintain their professional capabilities, helping national teams have the strongest force to participate in international tournaments, and ensuring the benefits of all parties, from sponsors, clubs to the tournament organisers.

The deadline for feedback from clubs and shareholders is 00:00pm on July 23, 2021. On the basis of the opinions collected, the VPF will complete the projected plans and report them to the Vietnam Football Federation for consideration and a final decision.

The VPF’s projected plans for the resumption of top-flight football in Vietnam:

2021 National First Division Tournament

– November 20, 2021: Begin with rescheduled matches of Round 7, first phase

– December 16, 2021: Conclusion of the first phase

– December 20, 2021-January 14, 2022: Second phase and conclusion of the tournament

LS V.League 1-2021:

– February 12, 2022: Begin with rescheduled matches of Round 13, first phase

– February 16, 2022-March 12, 2022: Second phase and conclusion of the tournament

2021 Vietnamese National Cup:

– January 17, 2022: Round of 16

– February 8, 2022: Quarterfinals

– March 15-18, 2022: Semifinals and final

Source: Nhan Dan

V.League 1 yet to come back due to rising COVID-19 threats

The Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF) announced on July 8 that it plans to continue delaying V.League 1 matches for the 2021-2022 season due to complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic locally.