The 2026 Vietnam National U20 5×5 Basketball Championship officially got underway on the afternoon of October 1 at the Tay Ninh Provincial Sports Arena, featuring eleven teams competing across men’s and women’s divisions.
Organized by the Vietnam Basketball Federation alongside the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Tay Ninh Province, the tournament runs through October 10. Officials stated the competition aims to select top talent for the national under-20 team ahead of international assignments. Matches are hosted at the Tay Ninh Provincial Sports Complex.
Tournament Structure and Competing Rosters
The men’s division features seven squads divided into a championship format: Can Tho (West Region), People’s Police, Lam Dong (Dali), Air Defense and Air Force PEAK, Quang Ngai (HOZ), Tay Ninh (Thai Son Nam), and Ho Chi Minh City. Meanwhile, the four women’s teams contesting the bracket consist of Hanoi, Lao Cai, Ho Chi Minh City 1, and Ho Chi Minh City 2.
Following the group phase, the four best-performing teams in each division will advance to the knockout stages, featuring the semifinals and the final match on October 10. Opening-day fixtures on the men’s side saw Can Tho face the Air Defense and Air Force PEAK Command team, Ho Chi Minh City square off against Quang Ngai, and tournament hosts Tay Ninh meet the People’s Police. The opening women’s slate featured Ho Chi Minh City 1 against Ho Chi Minh City 2.
Selection Objectives and Regional Promotion
Beyond crowning a national youth champion, provincial organizers and sports administrators structured the event in response to the national physical training movement modeled after President Ho Chi Minh. The tournament functions as a scouting ground to identify prospects for future international rosters.
Local authorities also noted that hosting the multi-day youth tournament serves to showcase Tay Ninh and promote tourism potential to visiting delegations and supporters from across the country.
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