Born in 2007 in Dong Nai and belonging to the S’tieng ethnic group, Lai brought home gold medals from the National Strong Teams Vovinam Championship in April and the National Vovinam Championship in September.
Her triumphant year culminated in November when she won gold at the World Vovinam Championship in Indonesia.
In 2024, Lai had already shown her potential by achieving the rare “triple crown” of youth, national, and Asian champion titles.
These outstanding achievements earned her a place among the “Outstanding Ethnic Minority Students and Youth of 2025,” an honor bestowed by the Ministry of Ethnic Affairs and Religion.
Speaking to VietNamNet, Lai shared that 2025 had been the most successful year of her sporting career so far.
“Being recognized at the upcoming ceremony is a great joy and an honor. It’s a well-deserved reward for all my hard work and dedication,” she said with a smile.
Lai’s passion for martial arts began in fifth grade.
Yet, her first challenge came not from the sport itself but from her family.
“My mother worried about me learning martial arts because I’m a girl,” Lai recalled. “I told her it was my passion and asked for five years to prove myself. Now that I’ve succeeded, she no longer stops me - instead, she supports me.”
Starting with local clubs, Lai’s talent soon caught the attention of Master Huynh Minh Hai, then head coach of the Binh Phuoc Vovinam team.
“During a friendly competition, Coach Hai saw my potential and invited me to join the provincial team,” she said. “I was thrilled. The more I trained, the more I felt I’d found a world where I truly belonged - a place that made me stronger and more confident.”
At 13, Lai represented Binh Phuoc for the first time at the National Youth Vovinam Championship in 2020.
Although she was eliminated early due to inexperience, the coaching team saw in her exceptional discipline and determination.
They were right.
Standing 1.72 meters tall and competing in the women’s 66 kg division, Lai combines strength, intelligence, and composure - qualities that have turned her into a formidable opponent for even the strongest teams.
In 2022, she claimed her first national youth gold medal, marking the start of an unbeaten streak.
At the 2024 National Championship, Lai defeated SEA Games 32 champion Do Phuong Thao in a thrilling match, bringing home a long-awaited gold medal for Binh Phuoc and earning a spot on Vietnam’s national team.
Pursuing the sport hasn’t been easy.
“Injuries and bruises are part of training,” she said. “Once, I even chipped a tooth during a sparring session with a male athlete.”
Before every match, Lai studies her opponents carefully and reminds herself never to underestimate anyone.
Looking ahead, she plans to continue training intensively in 2026 with hopes of achieving greater success at future international competitions.
Beyond medals, she wants her journey to inspire young girls - especially those from ethnic minority backgrounds - to follow their passions with confidence.
“Just go for what you love and give it your all,” Lai said. “Even if the results aren’t perfect, you can still be proud for having done your best. What matters most is discipline, determination, and gratitude along the way.”
Today, Lai is not only a source of pride for Dong Nai Province but also a rising star in Vietnam’s national Vovinam team - a name that promises to bring glory to her country in the years ahead.
“As a S’tieng athlete, I feel proud to represent my homeland and people on international stages,” she said. “I hope there will be more training programs and policies to support ethnic minority youth - especially those from remote areas - so they too can pursue their talents and dreams.”
Thanh Hung
Vietnamnet.vn
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