The pioneer of women's golf in Vietnam.

TP - Three national championships, the first SEA Games medal in the history of Vietnamese women's golf, and a top 200 ranking in the world have made Le Chuc An a new icon of Vietnamese women's golf. Behind these milestones lies a long journey of discipline, sacrifice, and early choices shaped by the belief of her family and the positive energy from timely encouragement from generals in the Army.

One word of encouragement can change the future.

In the winter of 2018, a beautiful Sunday morning, December 2nd, 2018, at Legend Hill Country Club (Soc Son, Hanoi) marked a significant milestone, helping to shape the athletic path of a 10-year-old girl.

Chúc An, who had only been playing golf for about a year at the time, followed her father (Mr. Lê Quý Hồng Bảo) to the course at his invitation and had the opportunity to compete in the same flight as famous military figures: General Phùng Quang Thanh (former Politburo member, former Minister of National Defense ), and Lieutenant General Võ Tiến Trung (former Central Committee member, Director of the National Defense Academy).

It was a beautiful morning, adding to the smooth strokes of the 10-year-old girl's perfectly straight swings. In the eyes of the spectators, Chuc An played with confidence, executing each shot skillfully and accurately, earning effusive praise from both generals. “During lunch after the round of golf, General Phung Quang Thanh was very impressed and encouraged her, advising the family to let Chuc An pursue a professional golf career. That encouragement ignited faith and aspiration in the whole family,” Mr. Le Quy Hong Bao recalled.

From that special milestone, Chúc An and her family gained a clearer direction: They decided to let Chúc An pursue her passion for golf, persevere with it, train systematically, and aim for professional competition. The following years were a grueling journey, with intense training sessions of 6 to 10 hours a day. At night, Chúc An had to study from 7 PM to 10 PM according to the high school curriculum to keep up with her studies like other young people her age. Her tireless efforts in both domestic and international tournaments gradually shaped the character and skills of a future champion.

The results came as a well-deserved reward. Chúc An quickly rose to the number one position in Vietnamese women's golf, possessing an impressive collection of titles, most notably three consecutive National Women's Golf Championship titles in 2023, 2024, and 2025. These three victories not only created an unprecedented historical milestone for Vietnamese women's golf but also served as compelling evidence of the unwavering determination, perseverance, and extraordinary efforts of a young woman who continues to push her own limits.

SEA Games 33 Miracle

The Vietnamese National Golf Team concluded the 33rd SEA Games at Siam Country Club Rolling Hills (Thailand) with memorable achievements. After a persistent competition, Vietnamese golf won three medals: a silver medal in the men's individual event by Nguyen Anh Minh, a bronze medal in the women's individual event by Le Chuc An, and a bronze medal in the men's team event.

Among them, Le Chuc An's bronze medal is considered "as precious as gold," as it is the first medal in the history of Vietnamese women's golf at the SEA Games. This landmark achievement not only recognizes Chuc An's individual efforts but also opens a new chapter for Vietnamese women's golf on the regional map.

National Golf Team Head Coach Nguyen Thai Duong commented: “Chuc An is always humble, hardworking, and has a great desire to learn. She radiates positive energy in both training and competition. Her achievements not only come from her talent, but also reflect her discipline and willpower, which are truly admirable.”

2025 marks a significant milestone in Le Chuc An's career, showcasing her improved technique, competitive spirit, and ability to adapt to high-level competitions. Besides winning the National Women's Golf Championship for the third consecutive year and a bronze medal at the 33rd SEA Games, Chuc An also triumphed in the U16 Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, and triumphed at the Trang An Open 2025 on the Thai LPGA Tour, thus bringing her and Vietnamese golf to the top of the professional world golf rankings for the first time. On the World Amateur Golf Rankings (WAGR), Le Chuc An rose to 178th place, becoming the first Vietnamese female golfer to reach the top 200 in the world.

Le Chuc An's overwhelming joy with her parents after winning the 2025 National Golf Championship. Photo: VGA

The impressive string of achievements shows that Chuc An's success is not a fleeting burst of talent, but the result of systematic training and competition following a clear roadmap. Mr. Vu Nguyen, Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Golf Association (VGA), commented: “From a bronze medal at the SEA Games to reaching the top 200 in the world amateur rankings, Le Chuc An's journey has significance beyond the individual level. It is a positive sign that Vietnamese women's golf is opening up hope for a generation of athletes capable of competing regionally, continentally, and beyond.”

The game of discipline

In her early days in golf, Le Chuc An lacked the glamour and prestige of titles. Instead, she diligently practiced each swing and basic movement until she mastered them. Golf initially came to Chuc An as a habit, but over time, it became an indispensable part of her life.

Alongside her involvement with golf, Chúc An clearly felt the harshness of the sport. Just one wrong shot can ruin an entire round. A moment of distraction is enough to render hours, even days, of hard work meaningless.

It was through these experiences that Chúc An learned how to confront herself, cultivate calmness and resilience—qualities not every young athlete acquires early on.

Le Chuc An's journey to conquering the pinnacle of success has always been accompanied by her family. In particular, her mother (Mrs. Tran Thi Len) has always been by her side, from training sessions on the course to tournaments both domestically and internationally, taking care of her meals and sleep so that Chuc An can fully concentrate on competing. The golfer, born in 2008, always cherishes the silent sacrifices of her parents and considers them a crucial source of motivation that helps her overcome difficulties and challenges.

Chúc An shared: “For me, hard work and discipline are the foundation for success. Every training session, every competition is an opportunity to improve myself. Without effort, focus, and discipline, big dreams will remain just dreams. I always remind myself to be patient and focus on each step; that's the only way to reach the goal sustainably.”

2026 marks a significant turning point in Le Chuc An's journey as she is among the top 25 female athletes to sign sponsorship agreements with American universities, and will also compete in the NCAA – a prestigious tournament system for college students across the United States. This is a valuable opportunity for Chuc An to gain experience in a high-level competitive environment, further hone her skills, and prepare for her path to becoming a professional golfer.

Her impressive collection of titles over the years has provided a solid foundation, giving her the confidence to enter the big arena. Chúc An shared: “The experience I have accumulated helps me to be more confident for the road ahead. I hope to perform well in the US, learn many new things, and continue to pursue my passion for golf.”

Source: https://tienphong.vn/nguoi-mo-loi-cho-golf-nu-viet-nam-post1816571.tpo