The Vietnamese women's volleyball team has undergone significant changes and is ready to compete for the championship in the 2026 season.

For many years, the women's volleyball team of BCTT Binh Doan 19 has steadfastly adhered to a strategy of employing elite foreign players from Europe and America to enhance the team's strength.

From familiar names like Kulan and Mitrovic to Voronkova, the coaching staff of the military team hopes these foreign stars will create breakthroughs to restore the team's dominant position in the national championship.

However, reality did not unfold as expected. Apart from the bronze medal earned in the most recent season, in three consecutive seasons from 2022 to 2024, BCTT Binh Doan 19 failed to rank among the top three teams in the Vietnamese National Championship.

This achievement clearly did not meet the expectations of the coaching staff, the athletes, and the numerous fans. It becomes even more regrettable when compared to the team's illustrious past, which once dominated the domestic competition multiple times.

After four consecutive seasons without reaching the top position, the team's leadership decided to change direction in the foreign player recruitment strategy.

Instead of continuing to seek stars from Europe or America, BCTT Binh Doan 19 shifted to the Asian market, specifically China, with two notable contracts: main attacker Che Wenhan and opposite hitter Sun Jie. Both are young players assessed as having development potential, possessing good physique and a modern playing style.

This decision appears quite reasonable considering the recent successes of Chinese foreign players in the Vietnamese volleyball league.

Main attacker Chen Peiyan had a breakout season with VTV Binh Dien Long An, playing a major role in helping the Western team win the Hung Vuong Cup. Meanwhile, main attacker Cai Xiaoqing also impressed while playing for XMLS Thanh Hoa, becoming a key factor in helping the team reach the top 4 of the 2024 national championship.

Not only possessing good physique and technique, Chinese athletes are also highly regarded for their ability to adapt to the playing style of Vietnamese volleyball. Similarities in playing style, match tempo, and cultural factors enable them to integrate faster compared to many foreign players from Europe or America.

BCTT Binh Doan 19 aims for the top 3 in the 2026 National Championship, but they could compete for the championship if the players perform at their peak.

The return of coach Pham Van Long has clearly brought positive changes to the military women's volleyball team. The players are more disciplined and cohesive. The attacking tactics are more diverse and sharp. The defensive play is tighter.

Besides the two Chinese stars, BCTT Binh Doan 19 also has skilled domestic players such as opposite hitter Kieu Trinh, setter Lam Oanh, main attacker Nguyen Thi Phuong, middle blocker Pham Thi Hien, and libero Ly Ly.

Meanwhile, their rivals are facing various issues. The reigning champion VTV Binh Dien Long An no longer has libero Khanh Dang, nor does it feature main attacker Tran Thi Thanh Thuy in the first round of the National Championship, and it lacks strength in blocking.

Former champion LPBank Ninh Binh suffered significant roster losses when Bich Tuyen switched to being a caregiver, middle blocker Le Thanh Thuy joined Club Hanoi Tasco Auto, and middle blocker Nguyen Thi Trinh temporarily stopped playing due to family reasons.

Vietinbank parted with coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet and lacks a competitive squad. Meanwhile, the "dark horse" Hanoi Tasco Auto has a very strong roster, but coach Tuan Kiet needs time to mold them into a cohesive team.

While all rivals are encountering problems, BCTT Binh Doan 19 has a good opportunity to reclaim the top position in Vietnamese women's volleyball this season. Will they be able to seize this "golden" opportunity?