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| Full name | Câu lạc bộ bóng đá Lâm Đồng (Lam Dong Football Club) | |||
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| Nickname | The Highland Whirlwind | |||
| Founded | 1990 (1990) | |||
| Ground | Đà Lạt Stadium | |||
| Capacity | 20,000 | |||
| Chairman | Thái Khắc Ngọ | |||
| Manager | Đoàn Quốc Việt | |||
| League | Vietnamese Football League Second Division | |||
| 2025 | Second Division, 3rd of 8 (Group B) | |||
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Lâm Đồng Football Club (Vietnamese: Câu lạc bộ bóng đá Lâm Đồng) is a Vietnamese football club based in Lâm Đồng. The club uses the 20,000-capacity Đà Lạt Stadium as the home stadium.[1] They currently play in the Vietnamese Second Division.
History
Golden era: "The Highland Whirlwind" (1990s)
Founded in 1979, Lâm Đồng was promoted to the A1 League (currently V.League 1) in 1983 and remained the only representative from the Central Highlands in Vietnam's top league for 14 consecutive seasons. The 1990s were the club's most successful period.
With the advantage of their high-altitude, cold-climate home ground, Đà Lạt Stadium, Lâm Đồng was nearly unbeatable at home, turning it into a feared "fortress" for all opponents, including powerhouses like Thể Công and Cảng Sài Gòn.[2]
In 1994, the club was part of an infamous "betrayal" incident with Công An Hải Phòng. After being double-crossed, coach Đoàn Phùng led his team to a 1–0 victory that saved Lâm Đồng and relegated Công An Hải Phòng.[3] The peak of this era was a historic third-place finish in the 1997 Vietnamese First Division.
Period of instability (2003–2012)
After its golden age, Lâm Đồng's performance declined, leading to relegation in 2003. In 2005, they won a dramatic playoff against Quân Khu 7 8–7 in a penalty shootout after 12 rounds to return to the First Division, only to be relegated again the next season.
In 2011, the team finished as runners-up in the Second Division to earn promotion once more. In the 2012 season, under the name XSKT Lâm Đồng and coach Vũ Quang Bảo, they successfully avoided relegation.
Crisis and rebuilding (2013–present)
In 2013, the club faced a major financial crisis and had to withdraw from professional football, restarting from the Third Division.[4]
Since then, Lâm Đồng has consistently competed in the Second Division. The 2025 season was particularly heartbreaking. They led their group until the final matchday, but a 0–2 loss against Gia Định saw them drop to third place due to head-to-head results, narrowly missing promotion.[5] The club subsequently declined an invitation from the VPF to be promoted, citing the need for better preparation.[6]
Colours and crest
The club's traditional colour is green. The nickname "The Highland Whirlwind" was coined in the 1990s to reflect the team's fast, physical, and unpredictable style of play, especially at their home ground in Đà Lạt.
Stadium
The club's home ground is Đà Lạt Stadium, inaugurated on 31 December 2023 on the base of the former stadium. It has a capacity of approximately 20,000 and is one of the most modern sports facilities in the Central Highlands region.
Current squad
- As of 23 May 2025
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Coaching staff
| Position | Name |
|---|---|
| Head coach |  Đoàn Quốc Việt
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Managerial history
| Dates | Name |
|---|---|
| 1990–2000 | Đoàn Phùng
|
| 2000–? | Đinh Xuân Thành
|
| 2006 | Lưu Mộng Hùng
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| 2008–2011 | Nguyễn Mạnh Quý
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| 2011–2012 | Vũ Quang Bảo
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| 2013–2017 | Đoàn Quốc Việt
|
| 2018–2021 | Nguyễn Mạnh Quý
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| 2022 | Hứa Hiền Vinh
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| 2022–2023 |  Issawa Singthong
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| 2023–present | Đoàn Quốc Việt
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Honours
- V.League 1
- Third place (1): 1997
- Vietnamese Second Division
- Runners-up (1): 2011
References
- ^ "Bóng đá hạng Nhì quốc gia trở lại trên sân vận động mới Đà Lạt" [Vietnamese Football League Second Division matches return to new Da Lat Stadium]. Báo Lâm Đồng. 11 May 2023. Retrieved 2025-02-05.
- ^ "Memories of the 'highland whirlwind' of Lam Dong football". Thanh Niên Newspaper. 2020-06-25. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
- ^ "Coach Doan Phung and the 'betrayal of the century' that made opponents cry". VTC News. 2017-03-24. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
- ^ "XSKT Lam Dong withdraws from First Division". VnExpress. 2013-03-22. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
- ^ "National Second Division 2025: Lam Dong loses final match, misses direct promotion". Lam Dong Newspaper. 2025-07-28. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
- ^ "Lam Dong football will not participate in the 2025-2026 National First Division". Lam Dong Newspaper. 2025-08-13. Retrieved 2025-10-17.
