Ho Chi Minh City reign supreme in Vietnam national beach championships

The men’s and women’s teams of Ho Chi Minh City have taken the honours at the 11th edition of the Vietnamese Men’s and Women’s National Beach Handball Championships.

The 2025 edition of the event was held at Ba Ria Sea City in the southeastern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province of the Asian country and took place from 21 to 26 May.

A total of eight teams – four in each competition – played an initial preliminary stage across two match days before a two-day (24 and 25 May) pause to the championships due to the national funeral of former Vietnam President Tran Duc Luong. The final day saw the semi-finals and finals take place.

And it would prove to be a double celebration for the team from Ho Chi Minh City with both their teams playing off in the men’s competition for gold, the ‘A’ team getting one over their colleagues 2-0 (20:16, 26:17), while their women’s ‘A’ team needed a shoot-out to beat Hanoi in their final, eventually taking a 5-2 win, 2-0 overall (18:10, 16:19, SO 5:2).

"Honestly, I can't describe this feeling; the days we went through - all the sweat and tears, plus being away from my family, but it was worth it," said title winner Ngoc Trinh, who won the women's title with Ho Chi Minh City, to ihf.info.

"We just focused well on the goals we desired and trained hard, investing time and effort to achieve the title. Every year we develop very well and each new season sees a new breakthrough for each of our players. I am very lucky to develop and play with my club teammates, who are all my teammates on the national team too, as well as my coach - they are always there when I have problems, supporting me and we always strive to win together.

"This event is very important for beach handball in Vietnam," added Trinh, who is a long-term player for the Vietnam women's team, and who won the Asian championship last month. "Every year we can test our own individual level and discover new talent. The championship also creates an arena for young people to experience our sport and bring it closer to those watching - this develops the sport and widely around."

In amongst the athletes from across the country were players and coaching staff of the gold medal-winning Vietnam women’s beach handball team who won the 2025 Asian Women’s AHF Beach Handball Championships last month in Oman and they were honoured in the closing ceremony, receiving commendation awards from the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sport and Tourism.

In addition to the competitive element throughout the week-long event, numerous activities were held to introduce the sport to those who had encountered it for the first time, with a particular focus on activities for younger people to help inspire the next generation of Vietnamese beach handball players.

The Vietnamese Men’s and Women’s National Beach Handball Championships started back in 2014 and has taken place in various cities and regions across the country, including Da Nang, Vung Tau, Binh Thuan and many other locations in the country which is known for its beautiful beaches.

Ranking

Women’s Competition
1 Ho Chi Minh City – Team A
2 Hanoi City
=3 Binh Dinh Province / Ho Chi Minh City – Team B

Men’s Competition
1 Ho Chi Minh City – Team A
2 Ho Chi Minh City – Team B
= 3 Hanoi City / Da Nang City

Results

Men’s Competition

Preliminary Round
HCM A vs HCM B 2-0
Hanoi vs Da Nang 2-0
HCM B vs Hanoi 2-0
HCM A vs Da Nang 2-0

Semi-Finals
HCM A vs Da Nang 2-0
HCM B vs Hanoi 2-0

Final
HCM A vs HCM B 2-0 (20:16, 26:17)

Women’s Competition

Preliminary Round
HCM A vs HCM B 2-0
Hanoi vs Binh Dinh 2-0
Hanoi vs HCM B: 2-0
HCM A vs Binh Dinh: 2-0

Semi-Finals
HCM A vs Binh Dinh 2-0
Hanoi vs HCM B 2-0

Final
HCM A vs Hanoi 2-1 (18:10, 16:19, SO 5:2)

Photos: PicHoof/Huy Bui