Vietnam — Basketball

Vietnam has an emerging Basketball scene, with 1 leagues and 7 teams in a growing domestic structure. The VBA serves as the top competition, and the Vietnam Basketball Association (VBA) league, launched in 2016, has brought professional basketball to the country. Basketball has been gaining popularity rapidly in Vietnam, particularly among younger urban populations, driven by NBA viewership and the growth of domestic professional competition.

The national team competes in FIBA Asia qualifiers and the Southeast Asian Games, with the sport on an upward trajectory in this rapidly developing sporting market.

The history of Basketball in Vietnam dates to the 1930s, when the game was introduced through educational and community channels. The Vietnam Basketball Federation was established in 1956, but the sport's development was significantly disrupted by decades of conflict. Basketball's modern resurgence in Vietnam began in the 21st century, driven by NBA popularity and economic development.

The launch of the Vietnam Basketball Association (VBA) league in 2016 was a transformative moment, providing a professional platform that raised the standard of play and generated public interest. Vietnam's gold medal in basketball at the 2022 Southeast Asian Games was a historic achievement that further boosted the sport's profile in the country.

The Vietnam Basketball Federation is the governing body of Basketball in Vietnam, founded in 1956. The federation oversees domestic competitions, manages the national teams, and promotes basketball development across Vietnam. As a member of FIBA and FIBA Asia, the VBF represents Vietnamese basketball in international governance and competition.

The Vietnamese Basketball league system is headed by the Vietnam Basketball Association (VBA), the country's professional league launched in 2016. The VBA features teams from cities across Vietnam, competing in a regular season followed by playoffs. The league has brought professional production values, marketing, and fan engagement to Vietnamese basketball, transforming the domestic game.

Community and school basketball programmes provide the grassroots base, with growing participation driven by the NBA's popularity in Vietnam and the VBA's domestic visibility.

Vietnam's most notable international Basketball achievement is the gold medal in basketball at the 2022 Southeast Asian Games. The national team also competes in FIBA Asia qualifiers and has participated in various regional tournaments. Vietnamese basketball is on a rapid growth trajectory, and the professionalisation of the domestic league is expected to strengthen the national team's competitiveness over time.