To clarify the role of VaDREB1A that interplays with rust fungus infection, the gene VaDREB1A from genomic DNA (gDNA) and cDNA were isolated from adzuki bean. VaDREB1A was found without intron and contained a 660-bp full-length coding sequence that encodes 219 amino acids. VaDREB1A was annotated with one AP2 conserved domain, and this belonged to the A1 subclass of DREB/CBF subfamily using amino acid sequence and phylogenic analysis. The promoter of VaDREB1A harbored several cis-elements that are involved in responsive to ethylene, salicylic acid, and biotic and abiotic stresses. RT-qPCR showed that in resistant cultivar the relative expression of VaDREB1A was significantly reduced at 24 h and 120 h post inoculation (hpi) with the rust fungus Uromyces vignae, whereas in the susceptible cultivar the gene was significantly up regulated at 120 and 192 hpi following infection. Moreover, expression of VaDREB1A was significantly inhibited at 24 and 192 hpi in susceptible cultivar if pretreated with 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylic acid (ACC) pretreatment, as observed from the resistant cultivar. Collectively, these results provided a preliminary evidence that supports an involvement of VaDREB1A underlying adzuki bean rust resistance.