VFF has made a final decision on the fate of Hai Phong FC.

Over the past few days, the fate of Hai Phong drew significant attention as the club from the port city encountered an immense and unprecedented danger. Following numerous last-minute attempts, a key decision was ultimately reached.

After a period of confronting the risk of being stripped of the right to participate in V.League 2026/27 due to complications related to financial criteria, Hai Phong FC finally received good news when the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) reissued their playing license. However, the port city team still had to face a penalty for not fulfilling their obligations within the stipulated deadline.

The "rescue" of Hai Phong closes one of the most notable cases in the licensing of professional clubs in Vietnam this summer. Previously, the team from Lach Tray Stadium had only been granted a conditional license due to incomplete fulfillment of criterion F.04 regarding debts to employees, tax authorities, and social organizations. The VFF Licensing Board required the club to complete the documentation by May 22.

However, by the deadline, Hai Phong had still not submitted all the required documents. This led the VFF Licensing Board to issue a decision revoking the license to participate in V.League 2026/27 on May 23. The threat of absence from the highest level of Vietnamese football for the first time in many years became a reality for the traditional club from the port city.

Not accepting that outcome, Hai Phong's leadership immediately filed an appeal. In the document sent to VFF, the club explained that some sponsorship contracts for the 2025/26 season had not been disbursed as planned, leading to a lack of financial resources to fulfill the obligations required for licensing.

To resolve the difficulties, Hai Phong worked with city leaders and sponsors. After meetings, the parties agreed on a plan to disburse funds before May 31, enabling the club to settle all outstanding debts and tax obligations. The team also committed to providing full documentation proving payment in accordance with VFF regulations.

By May 31, Hai Phong had completed all paperwork and submitted documents proving the fulfillment of their financial obligations. After reviewing, the VFF Licensing Board confirmed that the club met criterion F.04 and decided to grant the license to participate in V.League 2026/27.

Nevertheless, the team from Lach Tray Stadium still could not avoid a penalty. According to the Licensing Board's decision, Hai Phong must pay a fine of 50 million VND for failing to meet the initial documentation deadline. This amount must be paid to VFF within 10 days from the effective date of the decision.

Retaining the spot in V.League 2026/27 helped Hai Phong avoid a major shock both professionally and in terms of image. However, the difficulties for the port city team have not ended. The new season is predicted to be full of challenges as a series of key players have successively left the team, while Coach Chu Dinh Nghiem also bid farewell after many years of association..

New head coach Dang Van Thanh will face a heavy task: maintaining the fighting spirit that once defined Hai Phong's brand under Chu Dinh Nghiem, while building a squad capable of competing despite a significant depletion of personnel. After weathering the licensing "storm", the port city team will now have to enter another even more difficult battle on the pitch of V.League 2026/27.