Vietnam started aggressively in the opening set and quickly established an advantage. Captain Tran Thi Thanh Thuy again stood out, scoring six points, including five in attack and one from the service line.

Pham Quynh Huong and Bich Thuy also made important contributions as Vietnam pulled away after a competitive opening phase to take the first set 25-19.

The second set was far more one-sided. Vietnam’s varied attacking game and effective blocking overwhelmed Hong Kong, allowing coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet’s side to open a commanding gap.

Quynh Huong continued to make an impact in attack and from the service line, while Tra My delivered the decisive spike as Vietnam cruised to a 25-12 win and moved within one set of victory.

Hong Kong responded strongly at the beginning of the third set, racing into a 4-1 lead and forcing Kiet to call an early timeout.

Vietnam then suffered a setback when Nguyen Thi Uyen injured her leg during a play at the net. Medical staff entered the court and Uyen was carried off on a stretcher, unable to continue. Anh Thao came on in her place.

Despite the disruption, Vietnam quickly regained control. A six-point run overturned the early deficit, before Quynh Huong and her teammates steadily stretched the advantage.

With Vietnam leading 21-10, Nhu Anh struck successfully from the middle before Bich Thuy helped bring up match point. Vietnam closed out the set 25-11 to complete an emphatic 3-0 victory.

The result gave Vietnam an important boost after their 1-3 defeat to South Korea in their opening match.

Vietnam will face title contender Japan in their final group-stage match, with Thanh Thuy and her teammates still hoping to advance at the continental tournament.

Final score: Vietnam 3-0 Hong Kong, China (25-19, 25-12, 25-11).

Thien Binh