1. V.League 1 season completed amid COVID-19 pandemic

Despite having to delay the start of the season and postpone play twice due to the pandemic, the V.League 1 season was completed, with some alterations to the schedule.

Notably, Viettel dethroned champions Hanoi FC to win the league just two years after being promoted. The title was the club formerly known as The Cong's first in 22 years.

Viettel won the V.League 1 2020. — Photo nld.com.vn

2. Preparations to host the upcoming 31st SEA Games

The region's biggest sporting event will be held in Hanoi in 2021 with 40 sports and 520 categories. The 40 sports include athletics, gymnastics, rowing, shooting, archery, weightlifting, boxing, kickboxing, badminton, badminton, tennis, volleyball, basketball, bicycle, table tennis, golf, bowling and triathlon. 

3. Boxer Nguyen Van Duong wins fifth Tokyo Olympic ticket for Vietnamese athletes

Nguyen Van Duong, a proud of Vietnamese boxing. — Photo cstc.cand.com.vn

Duong won his berth after defeating Chatchai Decha Butdee of Thailand in the quarter-final match of the Asia/Oceania Olympic boxing qualifying tournament in Amman, Jordan in March.

This is the second time in history a Vietnamese boxer will participate in the Olympics after Dang Hieu Hien fought in the 1988 Olympics in Seoul.

The other four Vietnamese Olympic qualifiers are swimmer Nguyen Huy Hoang, gymnast Le Thanh Tung and archers Do Thi Anh Nguyet and Nguyen Hoang Phi Vu. 

4. Country's first F1 race cancelled

The Formula 1 VinFast Vietnam Grand Prix 2020 was cancelled. — Photo otofun.net

Hanoi was set to host the country's first Formula 1 race in April and the event was initially postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, before later being cancelled altogether.

Two months after the postponement, there were plans to host the race in November, but they never came to fruition.

5. National team athletes shine at 2020 National Athletics Championship 

Runner Le Tu Chinh of HCM City took five golds at the National Athletics Championship. — Photo sggp.org.vn

In the national event, Le Tu Chinh of HCM City took five golds, Nguyen Thi Oanh of Bac Giang Province bagged four golds, and Quach Thi Lan and Quach Cong Lich of Thanh Hoa Province triumphed in the women’s and men’s hurdle 400m, respectively. Notably, the event saw three new national records.

6. HCM City 1 win National Women’s Football Championship

The success for the southern side was the ninth time they have triumphed in the national tournament.

However, the tournament also saw some ugly moments, including when Phong Phu Ha Nam quit a match to protest a refereeing decision. The team’s head coach Nguyen The Cuong was banned from football activities organised by the VFF for five years.

7. Nguyen Dat runs a marathon on the rooftop of an apartment building

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dat was one of the thousands of runners to miss out on their fix, but nothing can beat his passion for the sport.

On April 4, he completed a marathon in a time of 6 hours 22 minutes 11 seconds on the rooftop of an apartment building in Hanoi with a track only 25m long.

8. VBA season completed in bubble

Saigon Heat triumphed in the VBA 2020. — Photo sport5.vn

Due to the pandemic, the Vietnam Basketball Association (VBA) 2020 season like no other before it. Just like NBA "bubble" in the US, this year all seven teams of VBA stayed in HCM City and played in one stadium.

It was a huge challenge for the organisers and teams, but the season was completed successfully. This year also made history as the Saigon Heat became the first team in the league's history to successfully defend the championship.

9. Futsal tournaments wow spectators

Along with the V.League 1, the Futsal HDBank National Championship and the National Futsal Cup ended successfully with stands full of spectators and many dramatic, unexpected matches. Thai Son Nam had a wonderful season winning both titles. The organisers also supported people in areas damaged by floods and storms.

10. Dalat Ultra Trail cancelled after athlete dies

The international marathon and off-road bicycle competition is held annually in Da Lat City. This year, the tournament event more than 6,200 athletes. However, the fourth edition was cancelled after an athlete died due to extreme weather conditions. VNS

Viettel FC lift V.League 1 trophy for first time

Viettel FC have been crowned as the new champions of the V.League 1 following their 1-0 victory over hosts Saigon FC at Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City on November 8.

Saigon Heat wins second 2020VBA championship

Saigon Heat won 73-54 in game 4 against Thang Long Warriors on Tuesday night, becoming the first team in the league to successfully defend its championship.