Volleyball legend Ngoc Hoa takes on a major responsibility with the national team

Although she has not been coaching for long, ex-national team member Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hoa rapidly proved her abilities.

Right after returning from the AVC Cup 2026 held in the Philippines, Coach Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hoa took on a new mission as she was officially entrusted with leading the Vietnam women's U18 volleyball team to participate in two major tournaments this year: the 2026 Southeast Asian U18 Championship and the 2026 Asian U18 Championship.

The former national player gathered with the young athletes on June 16 at Bac Ninh University of Sports and Physical Education to begin specialized training. The team only had a short training period before departing for Thailand on June 21.

The 2026 Southeast Asian U18 Championship will take place from June 23 to 28 in Thailand. After the regional tournament concludes, Coach Ngoc Hoa and her players will stay in the host country to compete in the 2026 Asian U18 Championship, scheduled from July 1 to 7.

According to the draw results, the Vietnam U18 women's team is in Group D of the continental championship alongside South Korea U18, Chinese Taipei U18, and India U18. In the regional tournament, Coach Ngoc Hoa's squad is in Group B with the Philippines U18, Malaysia U18, and Kyrgyzstan U18.

The Vietnam U18 women's squad remains unchanged with the previously registered list of 14 athletes, featuring many promising names such as Bui Thi Anh Thao, Trinh Huynh Bao Ngoc, Le Thuy Linh, and Quach Thi Hoai An. Outside hitter Anh Thao (Hanoi Tasco Auto) has been trusted with the captain's armband, becoming the team's leader for the upcoming tournaments.

By agreeing to serve as head coach of the U18 Vietnam team for the next two tournaments, Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hoa is concurrently handling three roles: head coach of VTV Binh Dien Long An, assistant coach of the national women's volleyball team, and coach of the U18 team. Although she has only recently started her coaching career, the volleyball legend from Long An has already shown exceptional talent.