Vietnamese Basketball: The Journey to Regional Prominence and Lessons from the International Stage

Hai Phong, a late autumn afternoon. I sit in my familiar coffee shop looking out at the Cam River, flipping through my notebook of 46 years in the profession. Vietnamese basketball today is no longer the modest sport of schoolyards. It is transforming at a pace that surprises even veterans like me. Looking back at the journey from the early days of the VBA's launch in 2026, when only 5 teams competed, to now, the league has expanded its scale, attracting thousands of spectators per game. But the story I want to tell today is not just about those telling numbers. It is the story of how a young basketball nation learns to stand firm in the regional current. I remember the 2026 World Cup, when I was covering the event in Russia. Amid the storm of fake transfer news about the world's top stars, I witnessed how major football nations built their systems. And I asked myself: what can Vietnamese basketball learn from that lesson? The answer lies in patience. The 2026 Thailand crack taught me: rumors also know how to take detours. But with basketball, no rumor matters more than systematic investment. The national team's return at SEA Games 32 with a historic bronze medal proved one thing: the potential is real. But I always remind young colleagues that a bronze medal is not the destination. It is just a milestone on a long journey. Sixty-two years witnessing football, I know the signature has never been the destination. Tactically, I follow how Vietnamese basketball teams approach games. The most recent VBA season showed clear progress in defense. Teams no longer simply rely on foreign players to score but have begun building collective defensive systems. The defensive rebound rate of top teams has increased significantly compared to three seasons ago. This is a sign of a basketball nation maturing in its thinking. But I also see blind spots. Many teams remain too dependent on naturalized or tall foreign players. When regional opponents like the Philippines or Indonesia have better roster depth, we are easily exposed. I once told a young coach: defense is where there is no room for laziness. Basketball is a sport of rhythm. Whoever controls the game's tempo holds the advantage. The story of Vietnamese basketball development cannot be separated from the financial equation. I remember 2026, when the COVID-19 pandemic paralyzed global sports, many VBA clubs struggled to survive. The lesson from European football's FFP shows: sustainable development comes not from burning money but from building youth development systems. FFP cried in 2026, but the deal died from a handshake lacking goodwill. Youth development is the foundation. I spend much time following school and student tournaments in Hai Phong and neighboring provinces. Talent exists, but systems are lacking. Many young players are over 1m90 but their basic skills are not properly refined. We need real basketball academies, not spontaneous talent classes. Every contract is a life moving house. The growth of media also plays an important role. When I started writing about basketball in Vietnam, the audience was very small. Today, VBA games are broadcast live, attracting millions of views. But I always remind young journalists: the 2026 World Cup taught me that amid the storm of fake news, the writer must be the last goalkeeper of truth. Don't chase views, chase the truth. Looking to the future, Vietnamese basketball's goal must be to compete squarely at the SEA Games and beyond at the Asian level. This requires patience and long-term investment. I believe in the potential, but I also believe in the rule: there is no shortcut to sustainable development. Rumors are the wind; the writer must be the tree. Clubs need to learn to build their own identity. Looking at Thailand, where basketball thrives in the region, I see they have a systematic youth league and consistent coaching philosophy. Vietnam needs to find its own path, not copy mechanically. The agent's silence during the call, and that silence is the hottest news of the week. Finally, I want to send to young people pursuing basketball dreams: be patient. Success does not come overnight. Watching how Vietnamese youth teams perform in regional U18, U20 tournaments, I see progress year by year. The three-point shooting percentage of young players has improved noticeably, ball-handling skills are better. That is the result of serious training. The transfer market is a game that never has a final whistle. Basketball is the same. The journey of Vietnamese basketball has only just begun. With what has been achieved and the potential ahead, I believe the future will be even brighter. But we must walk on our own feet, learn from mistakes, and keep moving forward.