Since its arrival on the world map of League of Legends, the Vietnamese League of Legends scene has always played a significant role despite being a small region. It is the third Asian region, after China and Korea, with an extremely large number of League of Legends players. Additionally, in professional tournaments, VCS teams have performed very well. Due to these rich developmental potentials, VCS was established as a separate region by Riot after several years of competing within the same region as PCS.
This is a privilege that is not easily afforded to a Southeast Asian League of Legends region. It should be noted that while PCS is also a separate region, it encompasses teams from the rest of Southeast Asia and Chinese Taipei.
Recently, after a successful 2023 Worlds for VCS in terms of both professionalism and media, Riot personally released a nearly one-minute clip specifically to honor VCS. The clip, titled “Don’t mess with the VCS!”, summarizes VCS’s journey from obscurity to becoming an essential region in international competitions.
The content of Riot’s clip: “Why are there still people underestimating the VCS? One of the most fearsome regions in the League of Legends scene, despite not having any international titles. Vietnam always leaves a special mark in Summoner’s Rift after ‘gifting’ their opponents and walking away with smiles on their faces. They can always take down favored teams or defeat strong opponents; VCS teams are always unpredictable.
“In 2020, due to the pandemic, VCS had to miss two years of international competitions. Fast forward to MSI 2022, and VCS returns with remarkable impressions. Like defeating G2 and PSG Talon to secure 6th place at MSI 2022.”
“At Worlds that same year, they continued to defeat Top Esports. Then in 2023, GAM defeated Team Liquid in a decisive BO3. Year after year, VCS has proven that not everyone can mess with the VCS” – Riot concluded.
In Riot’s clip, it is evident that GAM Esports and Saigon Buffalo are the two teams in the “spotlight”. Especially GAM, with their impressive achievements at various Worlds events. However, it seems that Riot only focused on the post-pandemic era and highlighted the most outstanding teams, thus overlooking many names like Lowkey Esports or Team Whales.
But in reality, this can be seen as another instance of VCS compelling the global League of Legends scene to recognize the region accurately. Not only rich in developmental potential, but VCS teams have truly left many impressions, especially whenever they have the opportunity to participate in international tournaments. And surely, many viewers are looking forward to the future where VCS can contribute even more and truly achieve significant accomplishments in the global League of Legends scene.