VLU's Mark on SEA Games 33
Held in December 2025, the 33rd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 33) concluded with many positive results for Vietnamese sports. These achievements reflected careful preparation, sustained effort, and confidence in a new generation of athletes. Within this broader picture, members of the VLU community made meaningful contributions, from high-performance competition to design and creative work associated with the image of Vietnam’s national teams.
At SEA Games 33, the Vietnam Sports Delegation achieved impressive results with 87 gold medals, 81 silver medals, and 110 bronze medals, maintaining a high position in the overall rankings. Many of Vietnam’s strong sports maintained their competitive edge, while a new generation of athletes competed with confidence and determination. These results came from a long-term investment in education, training, and human development, including the contribution of athletes who are students and alumni studying and growing in the university environment.
Among the individuals contributing to these achievements, the VLU community recorded notable accomplishments: Choi Minh Chau, an alumna of Class 25 in Oriental Studies, won a Gold Medal in the Women’s Arena of Valor (Lien Quan Mobile). Bach Ngoc Thuy Duong, an alumna of Class 27 in Marketing, secured a Gold Medal in the Women’s Rapid Chess Doubles. In Aerobic Gymnastics, Hoang Gia Bao, a Class 28 student in Public Relations, and Truong Ngoc Diem Hang, a Class 27 student in Business Administration, together with their teammates, won a Gold Medal in the 3 Men–2 Women category. Beyond competition, Nguyen Tan Dat, a student of Class 28, majoring in Graphic Design, took part in designing the design of the Vietnam National Basketball Team’s 3x3 competition uniforms, warm-up shirts, and casual apparel.
Choi Minh Chau – From Personal Passion to an Arena of Valor Gold Medal
As a member of the Vietnam Women’s Arena of Valor National Team, which won the Gold Medal in the women’s team at SEA Games 33, Minh Chau shared that gaming was first only a form of entertainment and that she had never imagined one day competing at the SEA Games or winning a gold medal. As the last-added member of the national team, she faced great pressure during training to adapt to the team’s pace and playing style. “The undefeated journey made the victory hard to describe in words. That is why this gold medal is truly meaningful to me and to the whole team.”, Minh Chau shared.
Minh Chau graduated in Oriental Studies (Korean Studies specialization) from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. She won Third Prize at the Van Lang University Student Sports Festival in 2022 and 2024, secured Second Prize at the Clash of Campus National Student Tournament in 2022. During the closed training period before the official announcement of the national team roster, she continued to receive encouragement and support from close friends within the VLU student community.
Reflecting on that moment, she said: “Standing on the podium and singing the national anthem, I felt overwhelming pride and relief because all the effort was rewarded.” She described the SEA Games victory as one of the most memorable experiences of her youth and encouraged fellow students to study seriously, live fully with their passion, and maintain a healthy balance between academic responsibilities and personal interests.
Bach Ngoc Thuy Duong – Steady on the Chessboard, Calm in Decisive Moments
Winning the Gold Medal in the Women’s Rapid Chess Doubles Event at SEA Games 33, Thuy Duong shared that chess at this SEA Games had only one competition category, while all participating teams were highly competitive. Entering the tournament as the second seed, the Vietnamese team achieved its goal through focus, determination, and consistent effort throughout the competition. She expressed great happiness at securing the gold medal.
An alumna of Class 27 in Marketing from the Faculty of Commerce, Thuy Duong received a full scholarship from her first year, maintained strong academic performance, and was selected as an outstanding student to visit and study at Hung Kings Temple in 2024. Her professional achievements include being National Champion for two consecutive years (2024–2025), World Youth Blitz Chess Champion 2019 in Spain, representing Vietnam at the 2024 Chess Olympiad in Hungary, winning a Gold Medal at the 2022 National Sports Games, and becoming the Asian U20 Champion in 2022. Alongside her competitive career, Thuy Duong continued her studies at Van Lang University with support from lecturers and classmates, especially during periods when competition schedules coincided with examinations and group assignments. She expressed gratitude for the understanding and assistance that enabled her to fulfill both academic and athletic commitments.
Looking back on her university years, Thuy Duong shared: “Each stage of my journey brought valuable lessons, and Van Lang University has been an important part of my personal growth.” She thanked the University for creating conditions that allowed her to pursue both academic excellence and athletic ambitions while encouraging students to be brave in seizing opportunities to make their university journey meaningful and memorable.
Nguyen Tan Dat – Supporting the National Team Through Design Behind the Scenes
Nguyen Tan Dat participated in SEA Games 33 as a graphic designer for Hemero, a Vietnamese sportswear brand specializing in training and competition outfits, especially in basketball. At the SEA Games, Dat, Dat was among the designers responsible for creating the Vietnam National Basketball Team’s uniforms, including 3x3 competition kits, warm-up shirts, and casual wear.
Sharing about the project, Dat said that remote collaboration between Hemero and the Vietnam Basketball Federation created challenges in communication and feedback. At the same time, new visual requirements for SEA Games 33 placed high pressure on the design team. The entire project was completed within approximately one week and involved multiple rounds of revisions and feedback. For Dat, being part of Hemero at SEA Games for the sixth time was a memorable experience that allowed him to gain practical professional experience while connecting his academic knowledge with one of the region’s most significant sporting events.
From high-performance competition to professional contributions behind the scenes, members of the VLU community left their mark on SEA Games 33 in many different ways. Their contributions reflected competence, responsibility, and a strong commitment to their chosen paths. These achievements contributed to the overall success of Vietnamese sports at SEA Games 33 while highlighting a dynamic learning community where each individual has opportunities to grow and contribute in their own way.
News: My My – Thanh Man
Photos: Provided by the characters
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