On home continent sand Vietnam look to spring a surprise

Three-time consecutive (2022, 2023, 2025) Asian champions Vietnam are making their The World Games debut at Chengdu 2025 where they will face a tough test in their preliminary group, facing three strong European teams.

First up will ANOC World Beach Games title-holders, Denmark, followed by The World Games and World Championship title-holders Germany, before newly-crowned European champions Spain.

“It is really exciting. We’ve been placed in a strong group with some top-class teams, which is a great challenge,” said Vietnam right wing Ngoc Trinh, who has made over 150 appearances for her national team.

“Every team has its strengths and I’m looking forward to facing them all. This is a great opportunity to test ourselves and show what we’re capable of on the international stage.”

Overseeing Trinh and her teammates is the vastly-experienced coach, Huynh Minh Ngon. With over 30 years of experience, he oversaw the last three continental titles, including the most recent and numerous other continental and regional titles, including 11 Southeast Asian (2003–2016), SEA Games (2003),  Asian Beach Games (2016) and Southeast Asian (2025) titles. He is joined by the 15-year coaching veteran, assistant Pham Duc Vuong.

Leading the squad on court with Trinh is specialist Ha Thi Hanh and goalkeeper Tran Hai Yen, who both play their club handball with Hanoi City, along with club teammates Nguyen Thi Anh Tuyet and pivot Do Thi Nhu Quynh, amongst a variety of other club players, who all recently competed in the Vietnamese championships.

Vietnam are regulars at the IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship, appearing three times, in 2018, 2022 and 2024, their best ranking of ninth (2018, 2024) – they have already qualified for the 2026 edition – but their best-ever global performance and result was a fourth place finish at the 2019 ANOC World Beach Games, where they reached the semi-finals after beating Poland and Argentina, before losing the bronze medal match to the record-making Brazilians.

“My goal for Chengdu 2025 is to give my absolute best and represent my country with pride,” added Trinh. “Of course, winning a medal would be incredible, but more than that, I want to enjoy the experience, compete with heart, and make lasting memories with my team and fellow athletes from around the world.”

Coach: Huynh Minh Ngon
Key players: Ngoc Trinh (Right Wing), Hanh Ha (Specialist), Tran Hai Yen (Goalkeeper)
Qualification information: 9th – 2024 IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship
History in tournament: 2001-2022: DNQ
Group at The World Games Chengdu 2025: Group A – Vietnam, Spain, Germany, Denmark