Aurora Saigon United Football Club (), formerly known as Dong Thap, is a Vietnamese professional football club based in Ho Chi Minh City. As a two-time champion of Vietnam's top division, the club was one of the most historically significant teams in the Mekong Delta region. They currently compete in the V.League 2.
History
Golden era (1989–1996) The club's most successful period was in the late 1980s and mid-1990s. Dong Thap won their first national title in the 1989 V-League, establishing themselves as a major force in Vietnamese football. They cemented their legacy by winning their second championship in the 1996 V-League. During this era, the team was known for producing talented players for the Vietnam national football team.
Period of decline and promotions (2000–2013) After their golden era, the club entered a period of instability, becoming a "yo-yo club" that frequently moved between the top two divisions. They were relegated from the V.League 1 in 2001 but won the V.League 2 in 2006 to return, only to be relegated again in 2007. They earned another promotion in 2008 and achieved a respectable third-place finish in the 2010 V.League 1. However, another relegation followed in 2012.
Financial crisis and decline (2014–2026) After winning the 2014 V.League 2, the club faced dissolution when its corporate sponsor withdrew funding. Lacking the resources for the 2015 V.League 1, the club was saved at the last minute by a new sponsorship deal. The club was acquired by HungHau Holdings in 2015. However, they were relegated again after a difficult 2016 V.League 1 season. Since then, Đồng Tháp became a regular participant in the V.League 2, working to rebuild and return to the top flight.
Relocation to Ho Chi Minh City and name change In July 2026, after Cao Lãnh Stadium was reclaimed by Đồng Tháp province for the auction and exploitation of public assets, the team relocated to Ho Chi Minh City and changed their name to Aurora Saigon United.
Stadium From the club's creation until 2026, the club's home ground was Cao Lãnh Stadium, located in Cao Lanh city. It is a multi-use stadium with a capacity of 23,000 people and is primarily used for football matches.
Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors Period Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor2009-2014NikeTập đoàn Cao su Đồng Tháp, XSKT Đồng Tháp2016–2018CodadXSKT Dong Thap Van Hien University Ranee Happy Food Ochao2018–presentGrand Sport
Performance in AFC competitions Asian Club Championship: 1 appearance 1997–98: Second round
Season Competition Round Club Home Away1997–98Asian Club ChampionshipFirst roundChurchill Brothers0–01–0Second roundFinance and Revenue FC3–41–0
Season-by-season record
SeasonPldWonDrawLostGFGAGDPTSFinal positionNotes 1980 V-League 8 1 2 5 4 14 −10 4 5th (group stage) Relegation 1981–1988 1989 V-League 16 8 4 4 17 11 +6 12 Champions 1990 V-League 8 3rd Qualify for 2nd stage 1991 V-League 10 2 6 2 7 5 +2 9 4th Group stage 1993–94 V-League 10 4 2 4 9 8 +1 10 Qualify for 2nd stage 1995 V-League 14 7 1 6 18 13 +5 15 3rd (group stage) Qualify for final round 1996 V-League 16 7 4 5 23 15 +8 18 Champions 1997 V-League 22 8 6 8 19 21 −2 30 8th Qualified for 1997–98 Asian Club Championship 1998 V-League 26 8 12 6 35 36 −1 36 7th 1999–2000 V-League 24 9 7 8 27 23 +5 34 5th 2000–01 V-League 18 4 7 7 23 32 −9 19 9th Relegation to 2002 First League 2002 First League 22 15 2 5 37 17 +20 47 2nd Promoted to 2003 V-League 2003 V-League 22 8 6 8 28 28 +0 30 7th 2004 V-League 22 7 4 11 23 29 −6 25 8th 2005 V-League 22 3 6 13 18 40 −22 15 12th Relegation to 2006 First League 2006 First League 26 16 5 5 39 17 +22 53 Champions Promoted to 2007 V-League 2007 V-League 26 3 11 12 21 35 −14 20 13th Relegation to 2008 First League 2008 First League 26 13 8 5 42 23 +19 47 3rd Promoted to 2009 V-League 2009 V-League 26 10 8 8 43 31 +12 38 5th 2010 V-League 26 13 5 8 43 34 +9 44 3rd 2011 V-League 26 10 7 9 38 44 −6 37 5th 2012 V-League 26 7 9 10 32 38 −6 30 13th Relegation to 2013 V.League 2 2013 V.League 2 14 7 3 4 20 18 +2 24 4th 2014 V.League 2 14 7 5 2 22 7 +15 26 Champions Promoted to 2015 V.League 1 2015 V.League 1 26 7 3 16 34 54 −20 24 12th 2016 V.League 1 26 1 5 20 22 67 −45 8 14th Relegation to 2017 V.League 2 2017 V.League 2 12 1 4 7 15 23 −8 7 7th Relegation playoffs
Current squad As of 11 September 2026Đồng Tháp - VPF
Current coaching staff Position Name Head coach Phan Thanh Bình Assistant coach Nguyễn Thành Long Giang Technical analyst Nguyễn Văn Bước Nguyễn Văn Ngân Doctor Nguyễn Hữu Quý An
Managers Đoàn Minh Xương (1986–1999) Trần Công Minh (2003–04) Lại Hồng Vân (2006 – June 2007) Đoàn Minh Xương (June 2007 – Sept 07) Phạm Anh Tuấn (Oct 2007 – Jan 08) Phạm Công Lộc (Nov 2008 – Feb 11) Trang Văn Thành (Jan 2011 – Apr 12) Trần Công Minh (Apr 2012 – Apr 2013) Phạm Công Lộc (Apr 2013– Apr 2016) Trần Công Minh (May 2016– Jul 2019) Nguyễn Anh Tông (Jul 2019– Dec 2020) Phan Thanh Bình (Feb 2022–present)
Honours National competitions V.League 1 Winners (2): 1989, 1996 Third place (1): 2010
V.League 2 Winners (2): 2006, 2014 Runners-up (1): 2002 Third place (1): 2008
References