Vietnamese athletes have made brilliant achievements in 2023. Việt Nam News looks at the five best of events of the year.

1. First women's World Cup participation

Việt Nam's national women's team make World Cup debut in 2023. AFP/VNA Photo

July 22 saw the Việt Nam national flag rising at Auckland City's Eden Park Stadium, marking the country's first time competing in the largest global football event for women.

The Southeast Asian team were in Group E against world strongest rivals of defending champions the US, the first runners-up the Netherlands, and tough Portugal.

The big gap between Mai Đức Chung girls and the rest prevented them from gaining positive results at the competition. Việt Nam left the Australia and New Zealand event without scoring a single goal, while conceding 12.

However, they impressed the world with their determination, effort and never-give-up spirit. 

On its website, FIFA praised: "Việt Nam’s participation in 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup has fostered a brighter future for women’s football in the country."

"Although Việt Nam faced disappointment, losing all three group matches and exiting the tournament without scoring a goal, the team showed the world that the journey is just as important as the destination.

"The team’s presence in the FIFA Women’s World Cup Down Under also highlighted a powerful narrative of hope and inspiration. Their participation itself was a victory, as it represented a breakthrough for women’s sports in Việt Nam and showcased the progress made in promoting gender equality and opportunities in the country," FIFA wrote.

2. 32nd SEA Games champions

Runner Nguyễn THị Oanh (right) seen in action at the 32nd SEA Games. She contributes four gold medals to help Việt Nam win the regional competition. Photo nhandan.vn

 Việt Nam were on top of the overall medal tally at the 32nd SEA Games in May in Cambodia. It was the third time in a row that Việt Nam were in top three of the region.

The 1003-strong contingent secured 136 golds, 105 silvers and 114 bronzes and setting 16 new records in various sports. They left Thailand with 108 golds and Indonesia with 86 golds, far behind.

It was the third time the national delegation won the biennial event, but the first time they triumphed when competing abroad.

Among the outstanding achievements were the title of the women's football team, Nguyễn Thị Oanh's four golds in running track; Nguyễn Thị Huyền's 12th SEA Games gold that made her the winner of the most athletics titles in the tournament's history, along with the nation's domination in wrestling (13 golds) and finswimming (14 golds).

3. Asian Games's first shooting title

Phạm Quang Huy is Việt Nam's first Asian Games shooting champion. Photo thanhnien.vn

Markman Phạm Quang Huy won Việt Nam's first ever gold in shooting at the Asian Games.

The 27-year-old triumphed in the men's 10m air pistol event in Hangzhou, China, in September.

Việt Nam had won golds in different competitions, including Olympics, but it was the first time at this prestigious Games in their 41 years of participation.

4. Việt Nam's first world billiard championship title

Bao Phương Vinh is the first Vietnamese cueist winning world championship title. Photo of UMB

Cueist Bao Phương Vinh placed Việt Nam on top of the pool world after winning the World Championship Three-Cushion in September, marking a significant milestone in Vietnamese history.

He defeated fellow countryman Trần Quyết Chiến 50-34 in the final in Ankara, Turkey.

Vinh has played billiard for one year before becoming the first world champion of Việt Nam in the 75-year tournament.

5. Park Hang-seo's departure and a new coach for Việt Nam

French Philippe Troussier takes charge of national football teams and is expected to lift the team up after Park Hang-seo's leaving. Photo of VFF

 South Korean coach Park Hang-seo ended his relationship with the Việt Nam Football Federation (VFF) after five brilliant years.

Under his reign, Park helped Việt Nam win silver at the Asian U23 Championship in 2018, place fourth at the 2018 Asian Games and secure the AFF Cup in 2018. Other achievements were two SEA Games trophies and qualifying to the 2022 World Cup's third qualifier.

VFF signed new contract with French Philippe Troussier who has experienced World Cup, Asian Cup and other tournaments in all continents before.

Troussier will take charge of Việt Nam till July 2026 and is expected to lift the team to a new height.

Currently, the Việt Nam team is preparing for the Asian Cup which will be held in Qatar next week. VNS