The Vietnamese women’s volleyball team secured a semifinal berth at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China after powering past North Korea 3-1 in the group stage on Wednesday.

Vietnam, thanks to star players Tran Thi Thanh Thuy, Tran Thi Bich Thuy, and Hoang Thi Kieu Trinh, were incredibly dominant the first set of the match, taking a six-point victory margin at 23-17 against a North Korean side that were prone to unforced errors. 

Two aces in succession from Thanh Thuy helped Vietnam end the opponents’ challenge with a comfortable 25-17 victory.

Thanks to Thanh Thuy, the Vietnamese continued in superb form to finish a thrilling second set with a 25-20 victory.

However, the North Koreans pulled their act together, with Uh Ryongyong and fellow outside hitter Kim Hyonju emerging as the team’s saviors in a hard-fought third set to seal a 25-20 victory.

The fourth set was closely contested with both teams trading attacks and points. 

Leading 23-20, Vietnam stormed on to end the match with a 24-22 win thanks to outside hitter Tran Tu Linh’s aggressive attack. 

The Vietnamese held their advantage to capture the set 25-22, as well as the match.

Vietnamese players celebrate a point against North Korea in their women's volleyball group stage match at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, October 4, 2023. Photo: Nam Trung / Tuoi Tre

For the very first time in history, the Vietnamese women’s volleyball team has achieved a spot in the top 4 at an Asian Games.

They are due to challenge China, who faced no issue in shutting out South Korea 3-0 on the same day, in their last group stage encounter on Thusday afternoon, which is technically meant to determine Group E’s winner.

Vietnam sent a 504-member delegation, including 320 athletes, to the 19th Asian Games, which features 481 events in 40 sports.

Their target was to bring home at least two gold medals.

The country held the 19th position in the rankings with two gold medals, three silvers, and 14 bronzes as of 12:00 pm on Thursday.

Host China is leading the medal table with a dominant count of 174 gold medals, 95 silvers, and 52 bronzes, followed by South Korea with 37 gold medals, 51 silvers, and 59 bronzes, and Japan with 33 gold medals, 45 silvers, and 71 bronzes.

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