VFF amended the regulations for the 2026 national third division after LPBank Hoang Anh Gia Lai withdrew its entry. The competition will have 12 teams split into two regional groups of six, each playing a double round-robin at the host locations.
The top two teams in each group will qualify for the 2027 national second division. Matches are scheduled from October 12 to November 9, 2026. Group A will play in Dan Phuong, Hanoi, while Group B will use the Tien Giang and Son Quy grounds in Dong Thap.