Vietnamese Women's Volleyball: A Journey to Overcome Prejudice and Assert Position on the International Stage

I still remember the day the stands were vibrant for men's football, while the girls had to wait until late at night to be broadcast. That was 2026, when I was still an unknown writer blogging about Japanese women's volleyball. I never expected this path to last through so many matches, and now, looking at the Vietnamese women's volleyball team, I see myself in them – those women who persistently overcome all barriers to be recognized. People often say Vietnamese women's volleyball is 'the story of those who come late'. But I see something different. I see a generation of athletes rewriting history with their own hands. From Asian championships to international tournaments, those girls have proven that women's sports are not just a supplement, but an indispensable part of national sporting identity. Look at the journey of the Vietnamese women's volleyball team in recent years. They have made remarkable progress, not only professionally but also in spirit. Each match is a lesson, each defeat is a stepping stone to go further. What I value most about women's volleyball is not victory, but how they stand up after being knocked down by prejudice. I left the Russian World Cup with an indignation. It hasn't faded, it has just turned into heat. That heat made me look closer at what's happening in Vietnam. When I follow the matches of the women's team, I realize they are facing a problem I've witnessed for a long time: the lack of investment and attention from the media. But something has changed. Those girls no longer wait for recognition from outside. They create their own voice. The calls during the pandemic taught me one thing: sports, first and foremost, are about human stories. And in each of those stories, there is a tale worth telling. Let's talk about tactics. The Vietnamese women's volleyball team has learned very quickly from advanced volleyball nations. They adopt a fast, flexible style of play, maximizing the power of their hitters. But what impresses me most is their adaptability. In recent matches, I see they are not afraid to change tactics mid-game, not afraid to face opponents who are physically stronger. A blind spot that many people overlook is their defensive capability. Vietnamese women's volleyball is often underestimated in this regard, but in reality, they have built a fairly solid defensive system. This is reflected in their successful reception rate and ball-saving ability. That is not a coincidence, but the result of systematic training. I remember a specific match when the Vietnamese women's team faced a physically stronger opponent. They lost on the scoreboard, but not in spirit. They fought until the very last moment, and after the match, I saw those girls smiling. That was the smile of those who know they have achieved something greater than victory. People tell me I write too personally. But I believe: it is the personal that creates the voice. When I write about Vietnamese women's volleyball, I don't just write about numbers and tactics. I write about girls who sacrificed their youth, left their families to pursue their passion. I write about mothers, sisters, and younger sisters trying to prove that women's sports deserve respect. In the context of Vietnamese women's volleyball developing, I see a great opportunity. That is the opportunity to build a solid foundation for the next generation. But that opportunity only comes when we recognize the true value of women's sports. This is not just a Vietnamese issue, but a global one. When I observe international tournaments, I see that women's volleyball is gradually asserting its position. Tournaments are increasingly professionally organized, players are receiving more attention. But there is still much work to be done. And the Vietnamese women's volleyball team is on the right track. I want to end this article with a question. When we look at Vietnamese women's volleyball, what do we see? A team trying to catch up with the world? Or a team writing its own story? I believe it is the latter. And that story has only just begun.