The national anthem plays on Lake Chungju.
The first gold medal in Chungju (South Korea) went to the women's quadruple sculls team consisting of H-July Bya, Le Thi Kim Truc, Ha Ngoc Linh Nhi, and Pham Thuy My. Following that success, the women's quadruple sculls team (Pham Thi Thao, Bui Thi Thu Hien, Pham Thi Hue, and Dinh Thi Hao) once again brought the Vietnamese national anthem to life on Lake Chungju. Not stopping there, the pairs Pham Thi Hue-Dinh Thi Hao and Nguyen Thi Giang-Bui Thi Thu Hien went on to win two more gold medals in the women's double sculls events.
The 2026 Asian Rowing Cup brings together 15 top teams from across the continent. Countries have sent their strongest squads in preparation for the 20th Asian Games. Furthermore, many athletes are here aiming for medals to qualify for the Games in Japan. Therefore, the coaching staff of the Vietnamese rowing team considers this tournament a valuable opportunity for athletes to assess the strength and readiness of their medal contenders.
According to the assessment of the Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Rowing Federation, Nguyen Hai Duong, the proud achievements at the 2026 Asian Rowing Cup are the result of the willpower, determination, and tenacious competitive spirit of the athletes, the dedication, responsibility, and persistent contributions of the team of experts and coaches, and are also clear evidence of the sustainable development of Vietnamese rowing in the high-performance sports system.
Behind the medals won over the years lies a persistent journey of building up the Vietnamese rowing team. The bold decision to send young athletes to training centers with harsh, challenging conditions, providing them with opportunities to compete in international competitions, combined with mental training, has helped them enter major arenas with considerable confidence.
The three athletes who won double gold medals in South Korea – Pham Thi Hue (1990), Dinh Thi Hao (1997), and Bui Thi Thu Hien (2002) – are the most vivid and concrete examples of the success of training the next generation. Pham Thi Hue, an athlete who will compete in the 2024 Paris Olympics, has strived to maintain her peak performance throughout the years, contributing to the progress of young rowers. Not letting down their seniors, these Gen Z girls (like Dinh Thi Hao, Ho Thi Duy, and Bui Thi Thu Hien...) quickly demonstrated their talent and readiness to follow in their footsteps, winning consecutive gold medals at the 2025 Asian Rowing Championships, the 33rd SEA Games, and most recently, the 2026 Asian Rowing Cup.
Targeting Japan
Although the 2026 Asian Rowing Cup will feature strong teams such as China, Uzbekistan, and India, the tournament will be missing the Japanese rowing team – the host of the 20th Asian Games. Therefore, we cannot be complacent about our past achievements. To make a breakthrough in September, Vietnam needs to continue investing strategically and avoid spreading resources too thinly. The recent event in South Korea also helped the coaching staff gather more practical information about direct competitors, thereby enabling them to identify events with realistic medal potential.
From now until the opening day of ASIAD 20, the Vietnamese rowing team has also developed a thorough preparation plan, from improving physical fitness and training speed skills to adjusting tactics, especially in complex competition conditions. The rowers' daily schedule usually starts at 5 a.m., covering about 20 km on the lake. The remaining time will be dedicated to strength training, weightlifting, endurance running, and recovery.
Looking back, it is the discipline and determination of the rowing athletes that have helped the Vietnamese team become a formidable force in the region. However, for sustainable development, the sport also recommends increasing investment in facilities and specialized equipment, such as international standard competition boats and rowing power meters – indispensable equipment in modern training.
The question now is no longer whether they can compete at the Asian Games, but how prepared they are for the continent's biggest stage?
Concluding their competition in Chungju (South Korea), the Vietnamese rowing team brought home four gold medals, five silver medals, and three bronze medals. This was the first international competition of 2026, and our rowers achieved results that exceeded expectations.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/vung-tay-cheo-toi-asiad-20-post960504.html
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