In the men's volleyball team of Vietnam participating in SEA V.Cup 2026, Tang Ngoc Hieu is one of the least experienced players. The hitter born in 2006 is the first time gathering for the national team, before that he has not had many seasons to play regularly in the professional arena.
However, in just a short time, the young player of Sanest Khanh Hoa has proven why he was chosen by coach Federico Rampazzo among many more experienced faces.
Breakthrough from position transfer decision
Tang Ngoc Hieu grew up from the youth training system of Khanh Hoa volleyball. In the early years of pursuing volleyball, he was trained and played in the middle blocker position.
At the 2024 AFC U20 Men's Volleyball Championship, Ngoc Hieu still took on this role in the Vietnam U20 squad. In the middle blocker position, his main task is to block, attack quickly and operate mostly in the net area.
The turning point came in 2025 when Ngoc Hieu was transferred to play main attacker. This is not simply changing his standing position on the field. Compared to the middle attacker, a main attacker must participate more in the first-footing, rear defense, handling off-system balls and attacking in many different states.
For a young player, that process requires time, patience and adaptability. Ngoc Hieu must re-learn many skills, and at the same time face greater pressure when he often becomes the target of the opponent's serves.
However, the decision to move positions has opened a new direction. Possessing a height of about 1m90, good jumping ability and powerful attacking ability, Ngoc Hieu gradually promoted qualities that were difficult to fully express when playing as a middle blocker.
Having played in the middle of the net also helped him have more feeling of blocking the ball and the ability to observe the opponent's attack direction. Only a short time after switching to the main attacker, the hitter born in 2006 began to make his mark.
Ticket to the national team from the national championship
Phase 1 of the 2026 National Volleyball Championship is the time when Ngoc Hieu is mentioned more. In the context of Sanest Khanh Hoa entering the rejuvenation process, he was given the opportunity to play and gradually became one of the bright spots of the coastal city team.
In the match Sanest Khanh Hoa won against TPHCM 3-0, Ngoc Hieu left his mark with his effective finishing ability, especially at a time when his team was facing difficulties in the third set. His performance in the domestic league helped him be ranked in the group of outstanding young players of the season.
From a player who did not have much experience in the first team, Ngoc Hieu quickly got his name in the gathering of the Vietnamese men's volleyball team in May 2026. He is in the group of faces who were given the opportunity for the first time in the national team under coach Federico Rampazzo.
Being called up to the national team is just the beginning. To be on the SEA V.Cup competition list, Ngoc Hieu must compete with many key strikers who have affirmed their ability such as Nguyen Ngoc Thuan, Duong Van Tien, Tran Minh Duc or Tran Anh Tu.
Finally, the young player of Sanest Khanh Hoa convinced the coaching staff and was named in the list of 14 athletes to participate in the first leg of SEA V.Cup 2026.
Youth in the first time wearing the national team jersey
For the first time stepping onto the big playground for the national team, Ngoc Hieu is not only included in the squad to accumulate experience. Coach Federico Rampazzo really gives him opportunities in important moments.
In the match against Thailand in stage 1, the Italian strategist brought Ngoc Hieu onto the court and placed his faith in the youth of the hitter born in 2006. This adjustment was effective in the second set, when Ngoc Hieu, along with Ngoc Thuan and middle blockers The Khai, Duy Tuyen helped the Vietnamese team win 25-18, bringing the match back to balance.
In the third-place match, Ngoc Hieu continued to be placed in the starting lineup, while some experienced players had to be on the bench. Although the Vietnamese team could not win a medal in this leg, the fact that a 20-year-old player was used in a high-pressure match shows the trust that the coaching staff has in him.
Ngoc Hieu continues to be named in the squad for stage 2 in Indonesia. He is used alternately with other main attackers, contributing to creating more personnel options and maintaining the attacking power for the Vietnamese team in the journey to the final.
The championship of leg 2 of SEA V.Cup 2026 of the Vietnamese team is therefore also of special significance to Ngoc Hieu personally. Right in his first time wearing the national team jersey, he experienced many different states, from competitive pressure for positions, unstable playing times to the joy of standing in the squad to win the historic championship.
Ngoc Hieu still has points to improve, especially the stability in starting first, defending the rear and psychology when playing against strong opponents. However, at the age of 20, the most important thing is that he has shown adaptability, fighting spirit and development potential.
From a young middle blocker, switching to the main attacking position and then being called up to the national team in a short time, Tang Ngoc Hieu's journey is a story about a player who knows how to seize opportunities.
SEA V.Cup 2026 is not yet the destination, but it may be the starting point for a longer journey for the young hitter Sanest Khanh Hoa in the Vietnamese national team jersey.
