The Vietnam Basketball Association, abbreviated as VBA, is a Vietnamese national professional basketball league founded in 2016. It runs an annual tournament, the Vietnam Pro Basketball League (Vietnamese: Giải Bóng rổ Chuyên nghiệp Việt Nam).[1]
History
The formation of the VBA was announced by charter team Saigon Heat following their completion of the 2015–16 ASEAN Basketball League season.[1] Leading up to the inaugural season, the VBA expected that six teams would compete in the new league.[2] However, only five teams were officially unveiled. To oversee league operations, the VBA looked to the Philippines for personnel with extensive basketball experience.[3] Tonichi Pujante was named the inaugural league commissioner.[4]
Following the summer break, the preseason typically begins in May. During this period, the teams build their 13–16-man rosters, with each team allowed to carry one foreign, two overseas Vietnamese, and 10 to 13 local players.[2] The VBA regular season begins at the start of June and runs until the end of September. Each team plays 12 games, divided between six home and six away matches. At the end of the regular season, the league's overall leader is awarded the Fans' Shield.
At the conclusion of the regular season, the playoffs begin. In the inaugural season, all teams are eligible for the tournament style playoffs. However, the teams that finish in the #4 and #5 seeds must meet each other in a wildcard game to proceed to the playoffs. The winner of the game meets the #1 seeded team. From the 2017 season onwards, there are six teams, and the wildcard game is scrapped. #1 will play #4 and the #2 seeded team meets the #3 seeded team in a best-of-three series. The winners then progress to the VBA finals.
2024 Season
The 2024 season will take place from June 2024, featuring 6 teams;
Can Tho Catfish
Danang Dragons
Saigon Heat
Ho Chi Minh City Wings
Hanoi Buffaloes
Nha Trag Dolphins
Thanh Long Warriors will not partake in the 2024 season.
Hanoi Buffaloes and Saigon Heat will host games in their home stadiums, whilst the other 4 teams will play home and away at Ho Xuan Huong Stadium (previously home to HCMC Wings) in Ho Chi Minh City.