Vietnamese sports affirm their position at SEA Games 33

VIETNAMESE SPORTS AFFIRM
POSITION AT SEA GAMES 33

The Vietnamese women's team returned to the tournament as defending champions. (Photo: Minh Chien)

At the send-off ceremony on November 28, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh assigned three important tasks to the Vietnamese sports delegation.

One is that each member must compete with all their might, surpassing their own limits. Two is to compete with a noble sportsmanship spirit, respecting opponents, referees and spectators. Athletes must demonstrate the unique cultural features of Vietnam, spreading harmony, intelligence and civilization. Three is to maintain discipline, strictly comply with competition rules and international laws, and ensure safety and security.

"I wish the Vietnamese sports delegation to set off with high spirit and determination, strive to exceed the set goals, win the highest possible position, continue to write a brilliant golden page in history, and bring pride to the country," Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh advised.

A challenging SEA Games, but also promising to bring momentum to Vietnamese sports is about to open.

Football
face the challenge

After winning two championships at SEA Games 30 (2019) and SEA Games 31 (2022), U23 Vietnam left the Southeast Asian throne when they lost to U23 Indonesia in the semi-finals of SEA Games 32 two years ago. The 18-match unbeaten streak in men's football was broken in Cambodia, in a match where despite having an advantage over the team, U23 Vietnam regretfully lost in injury time due to a defensive error.

However, rash mistakes are typical of youth football. Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia have also made many mistakes in youth tournaments. That is simply a scar, to remind Vietnamese youth football that the road to success is not paved with roses. Failure in preparation also means preparing for failure. To conquer glory, U23 Vietnam needs to run carefully and thoroughly.

That is exactly what U23 Vietnam has been doing for the past 6 months. Coach Kim Sang-sik and his team are heading towards the 33rd SEA Games with a perfect series of matches, winning all U23 Indonesia (1-0), U23 Philippines (2-1), U23 Cambodia (2-1) and U23 Laos (3-0) to defend the U23 Southeast Asian title. In the U23 Asian qualifiers, U23 Vietnam won and kept a clean sheet against the youth teams of Singapore, Bangladesh and Yemen.

The common point of these victories is that U23 Vietnam chose to play pragmatically, stubbornly like a "tank". Without being flashy or attractive, coach Kim Sang-sik's students prioritized defense, playing tightly and disciplined, then gradually exploiting the opponent's mistakes. The image of the Dinh Bac, Hieu Minh generation... is solid and stubborn, reminiscent of how U23 Vietnam won the 31st SEA Games in 2022 when they kept a clean sheet throughout the tournament.

Coach Kim Sang-sik is taking a sensible approach. Without the constant training time to shape an attacking philosophy that requires flexibility and proficiency like at club level, Kim has compromised on solidity and caution first.

U22 Vietnam had their first victory at the SEA Games against Laos on December 3. (Photo: Minh Chien)

A team built to win is taking shape, and the initial results have already appeared. In 5 out of 7 matches before the SEA Games, U23 Vietnam kept a clean sheet. Once taking the lead, Coach Kim and his team will not let their opponents turn the tables.

The young goalkeepers and central defenders became more confident as they played, and were promoted to the Vietnam national team to test their skills. The ability to withstand pressure of U23 Vietnam also improved thanks to 6 valuable friendly matches with U23 China, Uzbekistan and South Korea. In the context that most of Mr. Kim's students have only been able to stand in the V-League for the past one or two seasons, being able to compete with strong opponents will sharpen their psychological warfare.

Because at SEA Games 33, U23 Vietnam will no longer be "supported" by overage players like the two previous championships. Having to be self-reliant means U23 Vietnam needs to strengthen their competitive spirit. Vietnamese youth football has "shot itself in the foot" many times with mistakes at crucial moments. Strengthening the competitive spirit is a difficult problem, but if it is difficult, finding a solution is valuable.

U23 Vietnam aims to win the Gold Medal. This is a necessary step for Dinh Bac and the young generation to build confidence and move forward to take a main position in the Vietnam national team in the near future.

The Vietnamese women's team had a resounding 7-0 victory over Malaysia in their opening match. (Photo: VFF)

The Vietnamese women's team also aspires to win the championship, but not to reclaim glory but to defend the title against the rise of Thailand, Myanmar and the Philippines. Coach Mai Duc Chung and his team have won the SEA Games Gold Medal 4 times in a row (2017, 2019, 2022, 2023). Also during this period, the Vietnamese women's team won the AFF Cup 2019, ranked 5th in the Asian Cup 2022, and won a ticket to the World Cup 2023.

The comprehensive series of achievements from Southeast Asia to Asia is the jewel in the crown of the “diamond girls”. However, when the top generation of the Vietnamese women’s team begins to turn the other side of the slope, while the younger generation is just starting to step up, the generation gap in the Vietnamese women’s team has been revealed.

The loss to U23 Australia (with a very young squad) in the semi-finals of the AFF Cup 2025 is a warning, requiring the Vietnamese women's team to play with more than 100% of their ability to be able to stand firm against 3 young and strong opponents, two of which are in the same group as Myanmar and the Philippines. Whether the experience and mettle of coach Mai Duc Chung and his team can defeat the rising "tide" of the regional women's football powerhouses or not, the 33rd SEA Games is an important milestone to answer.

However, with careful preparation during training in Japan, the Vietnamese women's team (like the U23 Vietnam team) has turned on the ready mode for the 33rd SEA Games. The big test for the country's football will appear, but since it is real "gold", definitely do not be afraid of "fire".

"Gold mine" of athletics and swimming

At the 31st SEA Games held at home, Vietnam's athletics team had a resounding victory with 22 Gold Medals, leading the entire delegation. However, at the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia, the number of Gold Medals dropped to 12, giving the leading position to Thailand.

12 Gold Medals is also the target set by Vietnam's athletics at the 33rd SEA Games. Among the 51 athletes going to Thailand, there are still bright faces such as Nguyen Thi Oanh, Quach Thi Lan, Ngan Ngoc Nghia, Hoang Nguyen Thanh, Nguyen Thi Thanh Phuc, Nguyen Trung Cuong, Huynh Thi My Tien...

The Vietnamese athletics team is training at the National Sports Training Center in Hanoi . With 47 events, the coaching staff has prepared the optimal plan to complete the minimum milestone of 12 Gold Medals in a potentially difficult Games when opponents such as Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore possess impressive teams of athletes.

At the 32nd SEA Games, Nguyen Thi Oanh competed excellently with 4 Gold Medals. Of which, two Gold Medals were won in just 30 minutes in the 1,500m and 3,000m obstacle races, which is the miracle that Oanh brought to athletics. The small girl with extraordinary determination became a symbol of overcoming difficulties and breaking through one's own limits that Vietnamese sports are aiming for. For a long time, Vietnamese sports lacked a true symbol at the SEA Games or Asian Games. Nguyen Thi Oanh brought an inspirational story, so that athletes in all events (not just athletics) can maintain steadfast faith in themselves.

At the 33rd SEA Games, Nguyen Thi Oanh is expected to continue winning Gold Medals in her strong events such as 1,500m, 3,000m steeplechase, 5,000m, 10,000m. In the context that Vietnamese runners will find it difficult to compete with Thailand in short distances (especially when runner Tran Thi Nhi Yen is absent from the 33rd SEA Games), long runs, requiring endurance and flexibility, which are the strengths of Vietnamese athletes, will be an opportunity for athletics to reap at least 12 Gold Medals.

Compared to athletics, Vietnamese swimming is aiming for a more modest Games. The target of 6 Gold Medals is not high and is considered within reach in the context of Singapore still being very strong, Thailand being the host and other countries all investing heavily.

The strength of the Vietnamese swimming team is still associated with strong male athletes such as Nguyen Huy Hoang, Tran Hung Nguyen or Pham Thanh Bao. However, the women's category has also seen the emergence of a new star, the "child prodigy" Nguyen Thuy Hien, who is making waves in youth competitions in the country and Southeast Asia. SEA Games 33 will therefore be an opportunity for Vietnamese female athletes to regain their position after the time of their senior Nguyen Thi Anh Vien.

Shooting
assert power

Although football is the most popular sport, the only sport that has ever brought Vietnam to world stature (only counting Olympic events) is shooting.

Hoang Xuan Vinh’s Olympic Gold Medal in Rio (2016) is not only the most brilliant peak of Vietnamese sports but also the result of a process of training and persistent efforts in a sport that requires mental endurance, courage and extreme concentration. After Hoang Xuan Vinh’s success, a series of talented shooters are gradually appearing under the spotlight of the top Asian and world sports.

Pham Quang Huy won the Gold Medal at the 19th ASIAD (2022) in the men's 10m air pistol event with Hoang Xuan Vinh as head coach. Trinh Thu Vinh entered the top 4 in the women's 10m air pistol event at the Paris Olympics (2024), the distance to the medal is not far. The duo Quang Huy - Thu Vinh also won the 2024 and 2025 Asian Championships in the mixed 10m pistol event. In rifle, Le Thi Mong Tuyen won a ticket to the Paris Olympics at the age of 21.

With a generation of talented shooters, Vietnamese shooters are heading to the 33rd SEA Games with the target of 7 Gold Medals. Host Thailand has eliminated some of Vietnam's strong events such as the 50m pistol or men's air rifle.

Pham Quang Huy (2022 ASIAD Gold Medalist) and Trinh Thu Vinh are the mainstays of the Vietnamese shooting team. (Photo: Minh Chien)

However, this is a difficulty that coach Nghiem Viet Hung and his team have overcome before departure. With 29 members (including 22 athletes), along with a full force of key shooters such as Thu Vinh and Quang Huy, Vietnamese shooting is ready to defend the number one position in the region. The pistol team is currently training in Korea, while the rifle team will go to Thailand to practice, before gathering to start the tournament.

Besides the four main spearheads in football, athletics, swimming and shooting, Vietnamese sports still have many gold mines in some strong events at the SEA Games such as Rowing (target of 8 Gold Medals), Wrestling (6 Gold Medals) and the group of martial arts, which are of special interest to the host country Thailand.

The overall goal of the Vietnamese delegation is to win 90 to 110 Gold Medals, to take a position in the Top 3, or even to be second, just behind the host Thailand. With a strong force and high determination, this is an achievable goal for Vietnamese sports.

Publication date: December 9, 2025
Production organization: HOANG NHAT
Content: HONG NAM - MINH CHIEN
Presented by: QUANG MINH

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