Colonel Nguyen Thi Anh Vien, a professional military officer, has always known how to delight her fans with meaningful and tireless activities since announcing her retirement from international competition.
Know how to shine
Teaching children to swim and swimming with sharks in the picturesque waters of the Maldives, Nguyen Thi Anh Vien has driven teenage fans wild as they follow her every move. It turns out that even after she's no longer an athlete, Anh Vien still shines brightly in the swimming pool in her own unique way.
Nguyen Thi Anh Vien remains a role model for many young people (Photo: Provided by the interviewee)
Ánh Viên's victory at the Oceanman Maldives 2026 means more than just medals. In a competition that brought together over 500 athletes from 40 countries, the Vietnamese swimmer performed impressively and won four gold medals, including in the 2km individual, 10km long-distance, women's team, and 30-39 age group events.
Notably, in the 10km race – the most demanding event – Anh Vien finished almost simultaneously with the leading male swimmer. This achievement was surprising not only because of the gender difference, but also because of the unpredictable nature of open water swimming.
Images of her radiant figure amidst the waters of the Maldives quickly spread on social media, evoking memories of a "little mermaid" who once dominated the Southeast Asian swimming scene.
Unlike before, this victory has a sense of freedom – no pressure to achieve results, no burden of expectations, only the joy of conquest.
Continuously learning and gaining experience.
After ending her peak competitive career at the end of 2022, Anh Vien did not leave the sport but instead embarked on a different, more enduring and diverse path.
She focused on her studies and research at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports. Ánh Viên impressed with her research topic "Improving children's interest in learning to swim." This work was highly appreciated for its practicality and won first prize at the National Student Scientific Conference.
She graduated with honors and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel in the professional military. Sharing about this period, she once said she was "enjoying a new life," where every day is an opportunity to learn and experience. No longer subjected to a rigorous training schedule, Ánh Viên has time for herself, her family, and simple pleasures.
Conquer the challenge
The most significant contribution of Ánh Viên after retirement is her community involvement. She opened a swimming club, directly teaching and guiding children in swimming skills, with the goal of reducing drowning accidents.
She also leverages social media to spread her knowledge. Her TikTok series "Swimming is easy, Vien will teach you" attracts millions of likes and hundreds of thousands of views per video . With her approachable and sometimes humorous teaching style, Anh Vien makes learning to swim more accessible to the community.
Few people know that to create those seemingly simple videos, she had to "act" many times in front of the camera, explaining, "I'm not good at speaking in front of crowds." This shows her perfectionism and serious work ethic, which have been Ánh Viên's "trademark" since her competitive days.
Although no longer competing in the SEA Games, Anh Vien still knows how to make her mark in sports. In 2025, she tried her hand at triathlon and caused a surprise at the Sunrise Sprint 2025, winning first place in her age group and second place in the women's event.
Transitioning from swimming to triathlon – which includes swimming, cycling, and running – is no small challenge. However, Anh Vien has shown remarkable adaptability, especially in the running component – which is not her strong point.
Also in that year, she completed her master's program at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Physical Education and Sports - a milestone in her transition from athlete to professional.
The spirit of a champion
From pool swimming to open water swimming, from the classroom to social media, Nguyen Thi Anh Vien's journey after retirement is a testament to her perseverance and adaptability.
She is no longer an athlete competing for achievements, but she still maintains the spirit of a champion: discipline, perseverance, and a relentless drive forward. Her playful remark, "Swimming 10 km in the Maldives is easy, Viên will show you," not only reflects her humor but also embodies the confidence of someone who has conquered great heights.
And perhaps, that is her greatest "gold medal" after leaving the spotlight of top-level sports.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/anh-vien-va-duong-dua-moi-196260418203509731.htm
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