Pham Thi Yen was born in 1985, the golden generation of Vietnamese volleyball in the period of 2005 - 2015. Since the age of 14, Pham Thi Yen has competed for a volleyball club in Ha Nam. After the Ha Nam volleyball club disbanded, Pham Yen joined the Information Corps club. At her peak, Pham Yen made a strong impression at both club and national team level.
Confident and proud on the field, but in daily life, Pham Thi Yen has her own inferiority complex and confidence. In a conversation with Lao Dong reporter, former volleyball player Pham Yen shared: "Even at my height, I was very shy. I was afraid to go out, because at that time there were very few people as tall as me. Later, I had to learn to get used to it, not being affected by the psychology of height much".
According to Pham Thi Yen, when men interact with women, they will often be a bit hesitant towards tall, physical strength-rich, and outstanding health women. The majority of men often like gentle, slender, and light women. The characteristic of most men is to want to protect their women. However, women who play sports show great strength.
" female athletes in general are all very tall, strong, and strong. If we are not strong, we cannot show all our skills and abilities. The stadium is not a place to show fashion or beauty, we have to be strong, healthy, and just focus to win" - the former national team player said.
Not only that, the independence and decision-making of female athletes is also very high. They master the situation on the field and master their daily lives.
According to Pham Thi Yen: For all athletes in general, when playing at the highest level, we have been away from home since we were young, and our independence is very high. During the training process, we became rigid, strong, and decisive.
Therefore, almost all female athletes will lack feminity and softness. I am a very strong person. Rarely show weakness. I have grown up in the military environment. I am very strict with myself, my life or practice schedule is arranged, strictly implemented, and I am strict... So maybe, I will also be strict with others".
Because of the unique characteristics of a former athlete who grew up in the military environment, Pham Thi Yen is secretive about her love life and private life. It was not until the age of 40 that the former national volleyball player shared about her man.
Before making her love story public, Pham Thi Yen said: "I think, men must be very brave to love women who play sports."
As a strong, decisive, and disciplined person, Pham Yen affirmed that she will not go looking for a man - but when the man comes to her, he will have to show his mettle so that the former national team player can see him.
