The Cong Tan Cang beat hosts Cong An TP.HCM 3-2 in the second stage and finals of the 2026 Vietnam National Men's Volleyball Championship at Phu Tho Arena in Ho Chi Minh City on the afternoon of 1 November. Trailing 1-2 and facing match point in the fourth set, the army club fought back behind Indonesian import Rivan.
Back from the brink
SGGP reports that Cong An TP.HCM started strongly through Duong Van Tien, Pham Quoc Du and Iranian import Morteza Sharifi, taking the first set 25-22. The Cong Tan Cang levelled with a 25-19 second set, led by import Anthony Cherfan and young outside hitter Thach Quang Phu. The hosts went back in front by winning the third set 25-18.
According to Thanh Nien, coach Nguyen Van Hanh's side led 24-22 in the fourth set, one point from victory. The Cong Tan Cang saved both match points and won the set 32-30. In the decider Rivan again delivered key points as coach Thai Anh Van's team won 18-16. Bao Van Hoa said the win showed the club's composure under heavy pressure.
Also on 1 November, Thanh Nien reports, TP.HCM beat Da Nang 3-0 for their 3rd win of the season.
The race for the semi-finals
Cong An TP.HCM and The Cong Tan Cang both have 8 wins and 3 defeats, but the hosts are 2nd on 26 points and The Cong Tan Cang 3rd on 24. Defending champions Bien Phong have won all 10 games and became the first team to reach the semi-finals, Thanh Nien says.
Win-loss records compiled by KBVN+ from Thanh Nien and Bao Van Hoa:
| Pos | Team | W-L |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bien Phong | 10-0 |
| 2 | Cong An TP.HCM | 8-3 |
| 3 | The Cong Tan Cang | 8-3 |
| 4 | LPBank Ninh Binh | 6-4 |
| 5 | Ha Noi | 5-5 |
| 6 | TP.HCM | 3-8 |
| 7, 8 | Da Nang | 1-10 |
| 7, 8 | Sanest Khanh Hoa | 1-9 |
The table does not include the evening games on 1 November, Bien Phong v Ha Noi and Sanest Khanh Hoa v Ninh Binh, whose results were not yet reported. On 31 October, according to Bao Van Hoa, Bien Phong beat Sanest Khanh Hoa 3-0, The Cong Tan Cang beat Da Nang 3-0, Ninh Binh beat TP.HCM 3-0 and Cong An TP.HCM beat Ha Noi 3-0.
What comes next
Thanh Nien expects Cong An TP.HCM and The Cong Tan Cang to meet again in the semi-finals. The race for the remaining top-4 place looks set to come down to Ninh Binh and Ha Noi, who meet on 2 November according to the schedule published by Thanh Nien. Matches are shown live on VTV7 and On Sports.