Invisible pressure
Through many SEA Games, athletics has always been the spearhead to win the most medals for the Vietnam Sports Delegation. At the most recent Congress in Cambodia 2 years ago, the athletics team excellently brought home 12 gold medals, 20 silver medals and 8 bronze medals, continuing to maintain its leading position in the region.
Previously, at the 31st SEA Games held at home, Vietnam's athletics was even more impressive when it won 22 gold medals - the highest achievement in sports participating in the Games, along with 14 silver medals and 8 bronze medals.
The above figures not only demonstrate the position of Vietnam's athletics in the region, but also put great pressure on maintaining achievements at the 33rd SEA Games at the end of this year.
The goal of the athletics team is to strive to win at least 12 gold medals. Contents such as 400m hurdles, 4x400m relay, walking and long-distance jumping... continue to be the traditional strength and receive key investment.
Notably, at the 32nd SEA Games, Nguyen Thi Oanh affirmed her class when winning all 4 gold medals in the events of 1,500m, 5,000m, 3,000m hurdles and 10,000m. This is also an invisible pressure for the runner born in 1995 to maintain her achievements.
From the beginning of 2025, the athletics team has been one of the earliest gathering forces, with 70 athletes summoned and distributed to practice at 5 training centers nationwide.
In addition to physical and technical tests, athletes will be developed with an experimental competition program and participate in international competitions to accumulate experience.
However, competitors in the region such as Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia or the Philippines are also accelerating with a quality young force, clear investment in science and strategy. This requires Vietnam Athletics to innovate its training approach, strengthen international cooperation and focus on developing the next force.
Promoting international training to prepare for the 33rd SEA Games
In order to improve professional quality, at the beginning of this year, the Vietnam Department of Physical Education and Sports coordinated with the athletics department to organize many domestic and foreign training programs.
Notably, according to the cooperation agreement signed with the Francophone Community Sports Association, 4 female athletes in the 4x400m relay team including Quach Thi Lan, Hoang Thi Minh Hanh, Nguyen Thi Hang and Nguyen Thi Ngoc have traveled to France to train since the beginning of October.
This is a spearhead event for Vietnam's athletics, having won gold medals at many SEA Games and is aiming for achievements at the Asian level.
During the 3-4 week training session, the players will be introduced to modern training conditions, approach international experts and compete at a higher level. The Vietnam Department of Physical Education and Sports affirmed that the effectiveness of the program will be the basis for implementing more long-term training sessions to France from 2026 onwards.
At the same time, potential young face Duong Thi Thao will also participate in the training session in China from October 22. She just set a national youth record in the women's high jump event when she reached the bar of 1m85 at the 2025 National Youth Championship. Previously, Duong Thi Thao won a gold medal at the national athletics competition with a record of 1m84.
The young athletes in this event also include Mai Ngoc Anh (ational youth silver medal 2025 - 1m78) and Bui Thi Kim Anh (copper medal - 1m76). The appearance of the above group of young talents creates active competition in the national team.
From the current foundation, the coaching staff expects the 33rd SEA Games to be a milestone for the new generation of Vietnamese athletics to affirm their mettle and professional capacity.
However, as Mr. Nguyen Duc Nguyen - in charge of athletics, Vietnam Department of Physical Education and Sports shared: "Coaches of the high jump event will focus on preparing for the 33rd SEA Games. Currently, each athlete trains according to the set professional curriculum. However, we cannot say anything early because countries in the region also have strong athletes in this event".
