The 5th place at the 2026 AFC U18 Championship and the runner-up title at the 2026 Southeast Asian U18 Championship are 2 memorable achievements in the start of the international career of volleyball player Nguyen Huyen Trang.
Before going to Thailand to compete in the 2026 Southeast Asian Championship, in the final training session at Bac Ninh University of Physical Education and Sports, Nguyen Huyen Trang shared cautiously: "I don't know what my playing opportunities are, but I will be very focused on accumulating the first international experiences for myself.
In fact, Huyen Trang has been chosen as the main setter of the Vietnam U18 Women's Volleyball Team.
This young face and his teammates reached the final and then won the runner-up title at the 2026 Southeast Asian U18 Championship. That is the first international medal that Huyen Trang has in her career.
After this tournament, the Vietnam U18 women's team collective was praised for their expertise.
Private setter Huyen Trang is recognized for her ability to play more confidently and maturely than many players of the same age.
Exactly 3 years ago, in 2023, Huyen Trang practiced volleyball at the talent level of the Women's Information Corps team.
This year, Huyen Trang entered the age of 16. Possessing a height of 1m76, she has been assessed as one of the promising young faces to develop well in the setter position thanks to her flexible movement and knowing how to observe ball situations on the field.
That is the strength that this young girl is recognized by female volleyball coaches in military uniforms.
Huyen Trang said that her idol is former national player Nguyen Linh Chi. It is the moments of her idol's competition that are the motivation for Huyen Trang to pursue a career in the setter position.
Now, coach Nguyen Linh Chi is directly training her student in the youth team of Binh Chung Thong Tin women's volleyball.
For me, being able to concentrate in the Vietnam U18 Women's Volleyball Team is a surprise. Being able to compete in international tournaments, I am also nervous, but this is a good opportunity to learn more expertise," Huyen Trang once expressed before going to Thailand.
During the training period at Bac Ninh University of Physical Education and Sports and in Tam Dao (Phu Tho) before going to Thailand to compete, the coaches of the Vietnam U18 Women's Volleyball Team were worried about the setter position.
Because, the players of the squad (including Huyen Trang) still lack experience because they have not played internationally.
However, Huyen Trang is believed to be successful. In fact, in the past matches at the 2026 Southeast Asian U18 Championship and the 2026 AFC U18 Championship, Huyen Trang has done her best.
If not to say, she is one of the key players in deciding the victories for the home team.
Closing the 2026 Asian Championship, the Vietnam U18 women's volleyball team won 3-0 against U18 Kazakhstan.
Huyen Trang will not rest. She continues to prepare professionally to be ready to participate in the 2026 National Youth Club Championship with the Binh Chung Thong Tin women's team in mid-July.
At the 2026 U18 Southeast Asian Championship, Huyen Trang was voted the best setter player.
