Opening of the Second Mid-Season Training Workshop for Referee Assessors and Referees of the 2025/26 National Professional Football Leagues
On the afternoon of March 30, at the Thong Nhat Sports Hall (Ho Chi Minh City), the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF), in collaboration with the Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company (VPF), held the opening ceremony for the second mid-season training workshop of the 2025/26 National Professional Football Leagues, dedicated to referee assessors and referees.
01/04/2026 10:18:34
Attending the opening ceremony, representing the VFF were Mr. Dang Thanh Ha – Head of the Referee Committee, and Mr. Vo Minh Tri – Member of the Referee Committee. Representing VPF was Mr. Hoang Ngoc Tuan – Head of the Southern Representative Office. The workshop brought together 11 referee assessors, 38 referees, and 28 assistant referees currently officiating in the 2025/26 Gold Star Beer National First Division, along with several referees officiating in the 2025/26 LPBank V.League 1.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Dang Thanh Ha – Head of the VFF Referee Committee – emphasized the significance and role of the mid-season training. He urged the referees and assistant referees to make the most of their time to accumulate experience, enhance their professional skills, and minimize errors while on duty. Furthermore, the Head of the Referee Committee noted that each individual should proactively assess the overall state of officiating to establish a clear career development path, while consistently learning from every situation and match to improve themselves.
Mr. Dang Thanh Ha further added that the training session is a crucial opportunity to review both achievements and shortcomings from the previous period, thereby improving the quality of officiating for the remainder of the season. Notably, one of the key criteria for participating in next season’s VAR training is that referees must obtain an A2-level English certificate. Additionally, the Referee Committee is exploring the possibility of implementing Video Support (VS) technology in the National First Division—similar to the system used in futsal—to assist referees in evaluating sensitive situations when technical conditions permit.
The training workshop takes place from March 30 to April 2. The program focuses on learning from experience in match supervision and officiating through practical application and video analysis. In addition to theoretical sessions and professional discussions, the referees and assistant referees will participate in training and undergo standard fitness tests. According to the regulations, only those who pass the fitness test will be eligible for appointment in the 2025/26 National Professional Football Leagues.
