Born in 1984, Hai Phong player - Ha Thi Hoa is one of the stars of the "golden" generation of Vietnamese women's volleyball, along with Kim Hue, Bui Thi Hue, Pham Thi Yen or Ngoc Hoa...
She came from the training center of the Information Command (now the Information Corps - Dong Bac Command) but later played outstandingly and became the most famous when wearing the women's team of the Bank for Industry and Trade (currently Vietinbank).
She became the best setter in Vietnamese women's volleyball at both club and national team level.
Ha Thi Hoa has an intelligent playing style, reasonable ball distribution, stable mentality, especially effective blocking and getting along with middle blocker Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hoa.
The former setter of Vietinbank came to volleyball at the age of 14 and retired at the age of 40. In nearly 30 years of playing volleyball, Ha Thi Hoa has won many outstanding achievements such as 4 silver medals at the SEA Games, taking 4th place at the Asian Women's Volleyball Cup in 2012...
Talking to Lao Dong, former player Ha Thi Hoa said: "Vockey has given me many things. The turning point of joining the national team helped my economy change a lot, besides that was fame. When I went out, people paid attention, knew my name and asked me. When I was on the field, everyone asked me to take photos and sign autographs.
This is completely different from the time I first started playing volleyball, not yet famous. The affection of the fans gave me more motivation to try and contribute on the field.
Because I understand that fame also comes with pressure. The more we love them, the greater the expectations fans have for them."
Throughout her playing career, Ha Thi Hoa has decided to retire many times but still returned to competition due to the team's requirements.
Notably, at two points after giving birth to the first and second babies, the setter born in 1984 still competed on the field enduringly.
She shared that the biggest concern at that time was her physical strength. Ha Thi Hoa said that when she was over 30 years old and gave birth, her body was heavy.
In addition, volleyball is becoming more and more modern. Therefore, the former player from Hai Phong is afraid of not meeting the professional and physical needs to follow her juniors.
Officially saying goodbye to her playing career at the age of 40, Ha Thi Hoa has now switched to talent coaching (term 3) and spending time with her family. However, she herself still regrets it.
"After two breaks to give birth and return to play, I still feel regretful for not helping the club win more medals. As for me, at the age of 40, I think the decision to stop playing is very reasonable," Ha Thi Hoa expressed.
