This elite tournament, gathering 32 top teams, will take place from August 22 to September 7, 2025, in Thailand.

The excitement surrounding coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet and his team is palpable as they celebrate this milestone. While Vietnam has previously participated in the FIVB Challenge Cup in 2023 and 2024, the World Cup represents a new level of competition - one that many could only dream of.

Vietnam is one of only four Asian teams to qualify for the 2025 World Cup, joining host Thailand, China, and Japan. Competing against world-class teams like Italy, the United States, Turkey, Brazil, and Japan will provide Vietnam's athletes with an unparalleled opportunity to learn and gain experience.

This World Cup qualification is well-deserved. The past two years have seen significant improvements in Vietnam's women's volleyball, with noticeable advancements in gameplay, strategy, and match experience.

However, maintaining this level of performance poses a significant challenge. Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet emphasized the importance of focusing on youth development, enhancing the National Championship, and investing in the national team to ensure sustained growth.

Vietnam's current situation mirrors that of the women's national soccer team in 2023. The gap in skill level between Vietnam and the world's top volleyball teams is substantial, making any significant achievements in the tournament unlikely. Nevertheless, the primary goal is to learn from the experience, identify weaknesses, and work on improvements.

Looking at neighboring countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines, their teams blend young talent with experienced veterans, ensuring a steady pipeline of capable players.

In contrast, Vietnam’s women’s volleyball team still relies heavily on seasoned veterans. At the recent VTV Cup, most players were familiar faces with years of experience. As these players approach the end of their peak performance years or lose motivation, replicating the success of the past two years will become increasingly difficult.

The current squad features many players nearing the end of their prime. The team's star player, Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, currently playing in Turkey, is likely to maintain her form for only another year or two. Meanwhile, Le Thanh Thuy is already 29, and setter Lam Oanh is also no longer in her prime, with several others around the ages of 27-28.

Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet has predicted that the 33rd SEA Games at the end of 2025 will be particularly challenging for Vietnam's women’s volleyball team unless new standout players emerge soon.

Dai Nam