Lam Dong football kicks off National First Division season

Strengthening the squad

"We hope to play several more friendlies when we travel to Ho Chi Minh City, allowing the players to acclimatise to the hotter weather. We will then return to Da Lat to prepare for our National First Division home opener in mid-September," said Tran Van Toan, assistant coach of Lam Dong.

In preparation for the new season, Lam Dong scheduled friendlies against Khatoco Khanh Hoa and Quy Nhon United at Da Lat Stadium in late August 2026. Both visiting teams compete in the National First Division.

The matches gave Lam Dong an opportunity to review its squad and assess the players' form and ability. Particular attention was paid to trialists before the club finalised its roster and offered contracts.

However, only two of the four planned matches took place. Lam Dong faced Khatoco Khanh Hoa on August 19 and 21, winning the first match 1-0 and drawing the second 2-2. The matches against Quy Nhon United on August 28 and 30 were cancelled because the visiting team could not travel to Da Lat.

According to Toan, Lam Dong had signed 16 domestic players by early September 2026 to strengthen its squad for the National First Division. They joined players who had remained with the club from its National Second Division campaigns.

Five of the new signings came from Khanh Hoa, three from Nghe An and three from Da Nang. The remaining players came from PVF, Gia Lai and Ho Chi Minh City.

Notable attacking additions include forwards Pham Duy Hao from Phu Tho, Phung Van Nam from Nghe An and Le Anh Toan from Da Nang.

In midfield, Lam Dong has added Le Hoang Phuong, who previously represented Khanh Hoa in the National First Division. Defender Cao Hoai An also played for Khanh Hoa at that level.

Between the posts, the club has retained the consistently reliable Truong Lam Nhat. It has also recruited goalkeeper Nguyen Thanh Phu, another former Khanh Hoa player with National First Division experience.

The coaching staff is led by head coach Doan Quoc Viet, assisted by Tran Van Toan and Nguyen Duy Loi. The club is awaiting the addition of a goalkeeping coach.

Capitalising on home advantage in Da Lat

The 2026/27 National First Division (V.League 2) features 14 clubs: PVF-CAND, Quang Ninh, Xuan Thien Phu Tho, Thai Nguyen, Hung Yen, Hue, Quy Nhon United, Khatoco Khanh Hoa, Long An, Van Hien University, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Thap, Becamex Ho Chi Minh City and Lam Dong.

Alongside its First Division campaign, Lam Dong will compete in the 2026/27 National Cup, which features 27 clubs from V.League 1 and the National First Division.

The qualifying rounds, round of 16 and quarter-finals will be played as single-match knockout ties. From the semi-finals onward, clubs will compete over two legs, home and away.

The 2026/27 National Cup will comprise 29 matches. It is scheduled to begin on September 18, 2026, and conclude on May 30, 2027.

Lam Dong will open its National First Division campaign at home against Ho Chi Minh City at Da Lat Stadium on September 12.

The team will then host Song Lam Nghe An in the National Cup on October 6. Four days later, Lam Dong will visit Binh Duong Stadium to face Becamex Ho Chi Minh City in Round 2 of the First Division.

"We will make the most of the long break between the first two rounds to continue refining the squad," Toan said. "The team is currently working hard to improve fitness and help the players adapt to Da Lat's cool, rainy highland climate. This will enable us to maximise our home advantage."