Vietnam Taekwondo aims for SEA Games 33 with a methodical strategy

Vietnam Taekwondo's preparations for the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand in December 2025 have entered the final stage, demonstrating a methodical and highly professional investment strategy. Instead of focusing only on the national team, the preparation roadmap is built on the foundation of developing a widespread movement and searching for young talent right from the beginning of the year.

Athlete selection, training and competition work is being actively implemented.

The most important stepping stone in the preparation work is the organization of the National Youth Taekwondo Championship - CJ 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City from June 19-26 with nearly 1,200 athletes from 43 units and the National Taekwondo Club Championship - Korean Ambassador Cup 2025 taking place in Thai Nguyen from September 9-16. This event exploded in number with nearly 1,400 martial artists from 46 clubs nationwide competing in 4 age groups, showing the strong development of the Taekwondo movement in Vietnam.

The two tournaments are a golden opportunity to select outstanding athletes to add to the national youth team for the 2026 events, as well as prepare athlete resources for the national team to participate in the 33rd SEA Games.

The team trained in Iran.

After the selection phase, the teams began to step up their professional training. In particular, the Taekwondo team has been training hard for both the Asian Youth and Junior Taekwondo Championships in Malaysia (July 24-27, 2025) and the 33rd SEA Games. Immediately after the Asian tournament, the whole team focused on perfecting their movements, forms and improving their synchronization. Standard forms and creative team forms are traditional strengths that are expected to bring home gold medals. The team is also preparing to participate in training in Korea with leading experts in form content to best prepare for the 33rd SEA Games in Thailand.

For the fighting team, key athletes such as Truong Thi Kim Tuyen, Bac Thi Khiem, and Ly Hong Phuc are maintaining good physical condition and form, and are receiving enhanced physical training, weight training, and tactics. The fighting team is also given the opportunity to train long-term in countries with strong Taekwondo such as South Korea and Iran, and to continuously compete in friendly matches to get used to high intensity.

The team trains in Korea

Difficulties and advantages of attending the Congress

Despite thorough preparation, Vietnamese Taekwondo still faces significant difficulties. Among them, the World Taekwondo Federation continuously improves and changes electronic competition equipment, making Vietnamese Taekwondo unable to keep up with the changes of the World Taekwondo Federation. In addition, despite improvements, the lack of facilities and modern competition equipment such as upgrading electronic equipment to the G2 generation more or less affects the training and competition efficiency of athletes. In addition, participating in too few international tournaments also limits the opportunities for martial artists to compete.

However, Vietnam Taekwondo possesses undeniable advantages, which is the strong development of the Taekwondo movement nationwide, creating an abundant source of athletes. Especially the key and scientific investment strategy in key sports in the Olympic system, including Taekwondo. In addition, the international accompaniment and support from the Korean CJ Group and the Korean Cultural Center, opening up opportunities for cooperation and development. In addition, the increased bonus is a great source of material and spiritual motivation, helping athletes and coaches to compete with all their might to affirm the position of Vietnamese martial arts at the 33rd SEA Games - a Games not only to compete for medals, but also a test of mettle and a journey for Vietnam Taekwondo to reaffirm its position in the regional arena and pave the way for greater goals in the continent and the Olympics in the future.

According to the announcement of the Vietnam Taekwondo Federation (VTF), the record bonus for the 33rd SEA Games is higher than the previous Games. Specifically, athletes who win gold medals will be awarded $700 USD (about 18.5 million VND), coaches whose athletes win gold medals will be awarded $350 USD (about 9.2 million VND).

This is the first time there is an additional bonus for coaches at the SEA Games, to encourage both teachers and students to make efforts.

At the 33rd SEA Games, Vietnam Taekwondo will participate in 14/20 events (10 sparring and 4 forms) with the registered goal of winning from 3 to 4 gold medals. The Taekwondo competitions will take place from December 10 to 13.

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/taekwondo-viet-nam-huong-toi-sea-games-33-voi-chien-luoc-bai-ban-20251124112723032.htm