Nguyễn Huy Hoàng will be one of four Vietnamese swimmers competing in the Asian Beach Games later this month in China. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam's long-distance swimmers will undergo some tough training in preparation for the upcoming Asian Beach Games later this month, where they aim to medal.

The sixth Games will take place in Sanya, on the Chinese island of Hainan, from April 22 to 30. The competition will feature 14 sports and 62 events showcasing 1,790 athletes from 45 countries.

Open-air venues like the Tianya Haijiao Ring Theatre will help highlight Sanya's coastal scenery and tropical charm.

One of two premier aquatics events, open water swimming will see athletes compete in three categories: men’s and women's 5km and the mixed 4x1.5km relay. Races will take place from April 25 to 27 in Sanya Bay.

Four swimmers – Nguyễn Huy Hoàng, Mai Trần Tuấn Anh, Võ Thị Mỹ Tiên and Nguyễn Khả Nhi – will head to China for intensive training on April 6 and will remain on-site afterwards to join other competitors in the games.

All four champions of the 2025 SEA Games open water swimming mixed relay category are currently competing at the National Short Course Swimming Championships in Huế.

Tuấn Anh also secured silver in the men's 10km, while Tiên came third in the women's 10km class. Hoàng was the winner in the men's 1,500m pool.

According to the coaching board, practising at the official tournament venue is expected to help their swimmers become familiar with the climate and pool ahead of the competition, giving them an edge.

Vietnamese swimmers celebrate after winning the 2025 SEA Games gold medal. — VNS Photo Thanh Huyền

Winner of multiple SEA Games golds, Hoàng hopes to medal again for Việt Nam in the Chinese event.

"This year I have to practise hard for many important tournaments," Hoàng said.

"The first one is the Asian Beach Games in April. My coaches have developed a programme to improve physical strength for my teammates and me, ensuring we can face environmental conditions and strong rivals.

"I myself also have plans to do my best at the Games. We will have a training camp in the next few days, which will really be a key step for our expertise."

He said the national short course championships are also an opportunity for him to practise before moving on to China.

After the Beach Games, the swimming team will focus on the 20th Asian Games (ASIAD) in September in Japan, where Hoàng remains the most promising Vietnamese athlete.

The ASIAD swimming competition will feature 41 events taking place from September 19 to October 4 in Aichi-Nagoya.

Hoàng is a strong competitor in the 800m and 1,500m freestyle categories.

Previously, he won silver in the 1500m freestyle and bronze in the 800m freestyle at the 2018 ASIAD, as well as two bronzes in the same events in the 2023 ASIAD.

He also won two golds at the Asian Swimming Championships in 2025.

Hoàng was Việt Nam's representative in the 800m and 1,500m freestyle at the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics, and was the first male Vietnamese swimmer to claim gold at the Youth Olympics in 2018 in the 800m freestyle.

"This year, I have received strong support for the ASIAD. Honestly, I am 26 and not as full of energy and power as I was in the previous Games, so this Games will be really different and difficult for me," he said.

“I am determined to do my best against young and strong rivals from swimming powerhouses like China and Japan, whose achievements currently surpass mine.” — VNS