2016 V.League 1

The 2016 V.League 1 (known as the Toyota V.League 1 for sponsorship reasons) season was the 33rd season of the V.League 1, the highest division of Vietnamese football and the 16th as a professional league. It began on 20 February 2016 and ended 18 September 2016.

Team changes
The following teams had changed division since the 2015 season.

To V.League 1
Promoted from V.League 2
 * Saigon FC

From V.League 1
Relegated to 2016 V.League 2
 * Dong Nai FC

Rule changes
In season 2016, the club finishing in the 14th position would be relegated to V-League 2. The club that had finished in the 13th position would face the winner of a play-off between the V-League 2's second, third and fourth place clubs for a place in the 2017 V.League 1 season.

Name changes

 * Dong Tam Long An changed their name to Long An FC in December 2015.


 * In April 2016 with only four matches remaining, promoted side Hanoi FC relocated to Ho Chi Minh City and renamed Saigon FC. This was with only four matchdays played

Personnel and kits
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Foreign players
V.League teams are allowed to use two foreign players and one naturalised player

Play-off match
The team finishing 13th faced the winner of 2016 V.League 2 play-off II match.

Long An FC won the match and would remain in the 2017 V.League 1.

Manager of the Season
Chu Đình Nghiêm (Hanoi T&T)

Best player of the Season
Gastón Merlo (SHB Danang)

Best young player of the Season
Vũ Văn Thanh (Hoang Anh Gia Lai)