VBA (Vietnam) 2026/27

Vietnam Basketball Association stands as the premier professional basketball league in Vietnam, founded in 2016 by the Saigon Heat organization. It operates as a closed franchise system, distinguishing it from pyramid-based structures found in many other countries. The league features six active teams: Saigon Heat, Can Tho Catfish, Hanoi Buffaloes, Da Nang Dragons, Ho Chi Minh City Wings, and Nha Trang Dolphins. The season runs from June to September, featuring a round-robin regular season where each team plays 12-14 games. The top four teams advance to the playoffs, which consist of best-of-three semifinals and a best-of-five finals series. The Saigon Heat is the most successful club with five titles. The current reigning champion is the Hanoi Buffaloes, who won their first title in 2025. The VBA is distinct from the separate National Basketball Championship organized by the Vietnam Basketball Federation, which features provincial teams. The VBA focuses on private ownership and local talent development, limiting foreign imports to one per team. Key sponsors include Genius Sports for data and streaming, but the league does not have a single title sponsor changing its official name. The VBA serves as the primary platform for professional basketball in Vietnam, offering a structured and competitive environment for both players and fans.