Vietnamese football administrators have ramped up preparations for the professional 2026/27 season by launching an intensive training course for match officials, according to official reports from the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). The program brings together 29 supervisors, 84 referees and assistant referees, and 41 Video Assistant Referee (VAR) certified officials to standardize officiating protocols ahead of the new campaign.
The training initiative runs from August 28 to September 1, 2026, at the VFF headquarters. According to VFF Vice President and Vietnam Professional Football (VPF) Company Chairman Tran Anh Tu, the core objective of the program is to address officiating consistency, minimize on-field errors, and protect the overall image of Vietnamese football. Addressing attendees at the opening ceremony, Tran Anh Tu stated that match officials carry a direct responsibility for tournament quality and fairness, noting that every refereeing decision impacts public trust and the standing of the sport.
VAR Integration and Practical Simulation Training
A central pillar of the 2026/27 preparation course focuses on refining VAR operations and enhancing coordination between on-field referees and the video review team. According to VFF session details, participants are utilizing simulators to practice real-world scenarios, update their knowledge of the Laws of the Game, and standardize the application of the VAR Protocol.
Referees and assistants are required to review challenging incidents from the 2025/26 season to identify systemic mistakes and improve decision-making speed. The curriculum also emphasizes physical fitness assessments and rigorous rule examinations. The VFF Referee Committee stated that these evaluations will determine official assignments and ensure that personnel meet the physical demands required for top-tier professional competition.
Regional Officiating Standards and Historical Precedents
During previous regional competitions—such as the AFF Suzuki Cup—administrators openly addressed officiating vulnerabilities during high-stakes knockout stages. According to reports from the Vietnam News Agency, former VFF permanent vice president Tran Quoc Tuan previously held formal discussions with ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) leadership, including President Khiev Sameth and General Secretary Winston Lee, to address operational errors in matches featuring high competitive intensity such as Singapore against Indonesia and Vietnam against Thailand.
During those historical regional talks, VFF officials pressed regional governing bodies to evaluate refereeing performance and accelerate the integration of video technology across broader international fixtures. The current domestic training camps build directly on those ongoing regional demands for technical modernization and accountability.
Pre-Season Outlook and Expectations
VFF Referee Committee Chairman Dang Thanh Ha praised the proactive approach shown by participants entering the 2026/27 sessions, describing the early preparation as a vital step toward building a reliable, professional refereeing body. Supervisors and match officials have been instructed to maintain an open, analytical mindset during simulator exercises and classroom reviews.
With the professional calendar approaching, the results of the fitness and rule tests administered during the current VFF session will dictate the final roster of officials cleared for active duty in the upcoming season.
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