First Division 2026-2027 Kicks Off: Cong An Nhan Dan and promotion contenders begin campaign

The 2026-2027 Vietnamese First Division officially kicks off this weekend (September 11-13, 2026) with a series of Round 1 matches full of intrigue. With 14 teams competing for only 2 promotion spots to V-League, the race is expected to be fiercely contested right from the start.

Highlights of Round 1: Ho Chi Minh City Derby and CAND's ambition

The most anticipated match of the opening round is the clash between Dai Hoc Van Hien and Becamex TP.HCM on the evening of September 11. This is a Ho Chi Minh City derby, where both teams aim to assert dominance. Becamex TP.HCM is considered stronger due to financial backing from the Becamex Binh Duong conglomerate, while Dai Hoc Van Hien relies on its youthful enthusiasm. The match will be broadcast live on HTV1, FPT Play, and TV360.

Cong An Nhan Dan (CAND) – the team relegated from V-League last season – also enters the fray with high determination. Their opponent is Dong Thap, a traditionally strong club but currently undergoing reconstruction. CAND is widely regarded as the top favorite for the title, and a convincing win in the opening match would provide excellent momentum.

Full Round 1 schedule

The first match of Round 1 takes place on Friday (September 11, 2026): Dai Hoc Van Hien vs Becamex TP.HCM (19:00, HTV1, FPT Play, TV360).

Saturday (September 12, 2026) features three matches: - PVF vs Hanoi B (16:00, FPT Play) - Hoa Binh vs Hue (17:00, FPT Play, TV360) - Cong An Nhan Dan vs Dong Thap (18:00, FPT Play)

Sunday (September 13, 2026) has two matches: - Thep Can Tho vs Ba Ria Vung Tau (16:00, FPT Play) - Tre SHB Da Nang vs Thanh Hoa B (17:00, MyTV, FPT Play)

Notably, the match of Thep Can Tho marks the team's debut under its new name after relocating from Quang Ninh, promising a fresh chapter for football in the Mekong Delta.

Teams without live broadcast

Although Round 1 consists of 7 matches (due to the 14-team format), the organizers only selected 3 for national broadcast. Teams such as Long An, Binh Phuoc, Gia Dinh, and Binh Thuan do not appear in the broadcast schedule, leaving their fans awaiting future rounds to watch their idols.

Early analysis

From the perspective of a sports journalist covering Vietnamese football for many years, I notice that this season's First Division has seen stronger media investment. The involvement of FPT Play, TV360, and HTV in broadcasting indicates that media outlets are betting on the league's appeal.

On the professional side, CAND boasts experience from V-League, while Becamex TP.HCM has financial advantages. However, young teams like PVF and Tre SHB Da Nang should not be underestimated as they have well-trained youth squads.

Another point of interest is Thep Can Tho – inheritor of Quang Ninh's legacy. The relocation could impact team morale and stability, but if properly invested, they could compete for promotion.

Conclusion

Round 1 of the 2026-2027 First Division promises exciting performances. Fans can follow matches via television and digital platforms. With strong media investment and the ambition of various clubs, this season is expected to be a turning point for Vietnamese club football.

CAND may be the most talked-about team, but football always has surprises. Let's see if weaker teams can create upsets. All eyes will be on the pitches this weekend.