New milestone
At the age of 22, Bui Hong Nhung is entering a memorable period in her career. The main attacker born in 2004 is considered one of the promising young faces of Vietnamese women's volleyball. In the Hoa Chat Duc Giang Lao Cai jersey, she brings diversity to the squad thanks to her relatively comprehensive attacking and defending ability, skillful ball handling and stable one-two start.
In the first half of 2026, Hong Nhung had notable performances in domestic tournaments. She is not the name that has created the most buzz, but the stability in her playing style, persistent fighting spirit and ability to contribute to the team have helped the female owner receive recognition.
In June 2026, Hong Nhung was called up by the coaching staff to join the Vietnamese women's volleyball team for training, preparing for the next tournaments.
For a young athlete, the national team is always a special milestone. It is not only personal joy, but also recognition for a long journey ahead.
For Hong Nhung, that opportunity started from a very simple predestined relationship.
In 2018, when I was in 8th grade, my homeroom teacher saw that I had good physical condition and fitness, so she contacted teacher Ha (Nguyen Huu Ha) for consideration and selection to join the team for training. Up to now, I have been playing volleyball for 8 years," Hong Nhung shared.
The introduction of the teacher opened a new path for the female athlete. If she hadn't followed professional volleyball, Hong Nhung thought that perhaps she, like many peers, was studying at university and preparing to graduate. But from that first training session, volleyball gradually became the most important part of her youth.
At Duc Giang Chemicals, Hong Nhung grew up in the disciplined rhythm of a professional athlete. When there is no tournament, the players still maintain training twice a day. In addition to the coaching staff's lesson plan, they train their physical strength and technique to improve themselves.
If there is no tournament, we will still practice 2 sessions/day. In addition to the exercises assigned by the coaches and teachers, I still proactively train more physical strength for myself," said the female main attacker.
That journey has not only progressed. Hong Nhung once suffered injuries, affecting her training and competition process.
However, she did not talk about that time with sadness. "After returning, I tried to practice, maintain with the team and compete with the team," she shared.
Growing up from missed appointments
The first half of 2026 is also the period when Hoa Chat Duc Giang Lao Cai experiences many emotions. The team continues to maintain its position in the leading group of Vietnamese women's volleyball, reaching the final of the Hung Vuong Cup but once again only winning the runner-up position.
For fans, it is a familiar regret for the team that has approached the championship many times but has not been able to reach the highest title.
After the Hung Vuong Cup, Hong Nhung and the whole team's goal is to aim for phase 2 of the national championship. For her, it is an opportunity for Duc Giang Chemicals to overcome the "second place" shadow.
Behind the image of a main attacker playing fiercely, Hong Nhung in real life is a simple young girl. After stressful seasons, she often returns home, rests, goes out, travels, eats, watches movies and spends time for herself. Family is an important support, when parents not only encourage her at home but also are present in the stands many times to cheer for their daughter.
In Hong Nhung's memory, one of the most memorable memories is the last youth tournament in the U18 generation, when she and the whole team won a bronze medal at the national youth tournament.
That is what I felt very happy and touched during my youthful competition period," she recalled.
From the youth medal to the first time being called up to the national team is a long journey, with sweat, injuries, regret and silent maturity.
Last June, when Bui Hong Nhung was named in the Vietnamese women's volleyball team, it was a worthy reward for 8 years of perseverance with the ball.
But for the young female main attacker, that milestone is not an end, but the beginning of a new journey, where she continues to prove herself with bravery, perseverance and the desire to go further.
