Opening of the 2025 Vietnam Professional Football Club Licensing Workshop
On October 8, at the headquarters of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), the Opening Ceremony of the 2025 Vietnam Professional Football Club Licensing Workshop took place.
Attending the ceremony were Mr. Trần Anh Tú – Vice President of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF); Mr. Nguyễn Quốc Hội – Standing Member of the VFF Executive Committee; representatives from the VFF General Secretariat; Mr. Nguyễn Minh Ngọc – CEO of VPF.
From the AFC Club Licensing Administration were Mr. Doojin Sa and Mr. Avi Gupta.
Representing the VFF First Instance Body was Associate Professor Dr. Phạm Ngọc Viên – Chairman of the Committee, along with representatives from VFF’s functional departments and numerous delegates from Vietnam’s professional football clubs.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Trần Anh Tú – Vice President of the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and Chairman of the Board of the Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF) – affirmed that over the past 10 years, the club licensing system has been comprehensively implemented by the VFF in accordance with FIFA and AFC principles, while ensuring compliance with Vietnamese laws and the federation’s statutes. This process has contributed to promoting development and improving the quality of professional clubs, helping them meet licensing and competition criteria at both continental and global levels.
“Some notable achievements include the upgrading of stadiums, greater focus on youth development, and improved transparency in governance – all of which have built a strong foundation for sustainable growth and regional progress. In recent years, the VFF and the clubs have made steady efforts to address existing gaps, with the licensing work carried out under the guidance of the First Instance Body in line with AFC and VFF regulations. However, we must also recognize that as the AFC continues to raise its standards, this is the moment for us to show stronger determination and effort to overcome new challenges,” Vice President Trần Anh Tú emphasized.
Meanwhile, Mr. Doojin Sa – Head of Professional Football Department at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) – shared: “In recent years, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) has effectively implemented the club licensing system, laying a solid foundation for the professionalization of football. This workshop serves as an opportunity to exchange knowledge and for participants to share feedback and ideas to further improve the licensing process. I hope all delegates will take part in the discussions actively and with full focus.”
Mr. Doojin Sa added that AFC’s club competitions have been restructured and successfully launched, marking a new chapter for professional football in Asia. “We have high expectations that Vietnamese clubs will seize this opportunity and make a strong impression on the continental stage,” he said.
The workshop program includes several key topics: an overview of the club licensing system in Vietnam; updates on AFC’s club competition participation regulations; in-depth discussions on licensing criteria groups such as financial, infrastructure, sporting, administrative, and legal aspects; as well as a session on youth football development. The workshop also features discussions and a summary session aimed at enhancing governance capacity, standardizing club operations, and promoting greater professionalism and transparency within Vietnamese football.
As part of its development orientation, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) will continue to accompany clubs and take concrete actions to strengthen youth training capacity and enhance transparency in the club licensing process. At the same time, VFF will work closely with the AFC to further improve the quality and professionalism of Vietnamese football in the coming period.
