Vietnamese Sport in 2026: The National Delegation at the 14th SEA Games in Jakarta and the Domestic Football Picture

Hanoi, September 12, 2026 The Vietnamese sports delegation has arrived in Jakarta, Indonesia to take part in the 14th Southeast Asian Games. This year's edition opened on September 9, 2026 and runs until September 20, 2026, bringing together eight nations from the Southeast Asian region. For Vietnamese sport, this is an opportunity for athletes to test themselves against regional standards across a range of disciplines. Among them, men's football remains the event that draws the most attention, as it is the sport with the largest following in the country. Looking back at domestic sporting activity in 2026, football continues to hold the central position. The national A1 football championship is the highest level of Vietnamese football, gathering the strongest clubs such as The Cong (the Army Club) and Cang Sai Gon. Matches in the competition attract large crowds at stadiums in Hanoi, Hai Phong, Nam Dinh and Ho Chi Minh City. In The Cong's attack, striker Nguyen The Anh is the name most frequently mentioned in discussions among specialists and supporters. Alongside Nguyen Cao Cuong in midfield, The Cong's style of play is built on individual technique and cohesion between the lines. In the south, Cang Sai Gon continues to maintain its position as one of the strongest football centres in the country, with a well-trained squad and a fast-paced playing style. Beyond football, 2026 also recorded brisk activity in athletics, shooting, table tennis and chess. Tournaments within the national competition system are held regularly, giving athletes from provinces, cities and sectors the chance to accumulate competitive experience. The 14th Southeast Asian Games in Jakarta is regarded as an important benchmark for Vietnamese sport's preparations in the period that follows. The delegation's results at this edition will serve as a basis for the relevant authorities to build training plans for the years ahead.