V.League 1-2025/2026: The Relegation Battle Remains Unresolved

The organizers presented the championship trophy to Hanoi Police Club following their match against Becamex Ho Chi Minh City Club at Hang Day Stadium in Hanoi. On the day they were officially crowned and received the season's championship trophy, Hanoi Police Club went on to win 2-1 against Becamex Ho Chi Minh City Club. Beyond the title, Coach Mano Polking’s team is aiming to break the domestic league’s single-season points record. The victory over Becamex Ho Chi Minh City allowed the police team to match the 64-point record set by Hanoi Club in 2018.

The relegation race among bottom-ranked teams is still undecided, with three clubs—SHB Da Nang, PVF-CAND, and Becamex Ho Chi Minh City—all tied on 21 points.

All seven matches of Round 25 kicked off at 6:00 PM on May 31. At home, Hong Linh Ha Tinh (8th place) played out a 0-0 draw against second-from-bottom (13th place) SHB Da Nang. The visitors showed their determination to avoid relegation, picking up 7 points from their last three matches. After Round 24, they were 2 points ahead of bottom-placed PVF-CAND. With this extra point, SHB Da Nang temporarily rose to 12th place. They will face Dong A Thanh Hoa Club in the final round to decide their fate for next season.

Ho Chi Minh City Police Club (5th place) failed to secure all three points after a 1-1 draw against The Cong Viettel (2nd place). This result left both teams' positions unchanged after Round 25. Ho Chi Minh City Police Club will play their final match away against a tough opponent, Hanoi Club. Meanwhile, The Cong Viettel will host the season's champions, Hanoi Police Club, in Round 26.

A crucial 3-1 home win against Hai Phong Club kept PVF-CAND’s survival hopes alive. After 25 rounds, PVF-CAND has 21 points, temporarily moving up to 13th place. They will face Song Lam Nghe An Club (already safe from relegation) in their final match to decide their own fate.

Ninh Binh Club was determined to hold onto third place, securing a 2-0 away victory over Dong A Thanh Hoa Club. This defeat pushed the hosts down to 11th place, but they officially secured survival as they are 4 points ahead of the three teams below them.

At Thien Truong Stadium, Steel Xanh Nam Dinh Club (6th place) won 3-0 against Song Lam Nghe An Club (9th place). The result had little significance as both teams had already secured their top-flight status.

At Pleiku Stadium, despite trailing early, Hoang Anh Gia Lai Club staged a comeback to win 3-1 against Hanoi Club, securing their survival one round early. With 26 points after 25 matches, the mountainous team from Gia Lai sits in 10th place and will face Becamex Ho Chi Minh City Club—a side needing points to avoid relegation—in the final round. The capital city club still has hopes of finishing in the top three, as they will host Ho Chi Minh City Police Club in their final match. Meanwhile, their rival Ninh Binh Club will welcome Hong Linh Ha Tinh at home. Ninh Binh needs to lose by more than two goals for Hanoi Club to overtake them, given the goal difference advantage (19 for Ninh Binh vs. 18 for Hanoi).

All seven matches of Round 26—the final round of the V.League 1-2025/2026 season—will kick off simultaneously at 6:00 PM on June 7.