The decision to withdraw from Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen's Vietnamese women's volleyball team right before the 2025 World Championship created a large wave of discussion not only in the country but also in the regional media.
Two major newspapers in Southeast Asia, Bangkok Post (Thailand) and Inquirer (Philippines), all have an analysis, expressed surprise at this development.
According to Bangkok Post, the absence of 1m88 tall owner will be a big disadvantage for Vietnam in the journey at the tournament. Bich Tuyen is considered as one of the most comprehensive and stable attack athletes in Southeast Asia, capable of making a difference thanks to the strength and accuracy in the finishes. The Thai newspaper stated that Vietnam, although it has improved quickly over the past few years, will face difficulties when losing “number one spearhead”.
Meanwhile, the Philippines's Inquirer newspaper emphasized the reason for the departure that Bich Tuyen publicly: The dissatisfaction with the regulations of the World Volleyball Federation (FIVB). The star of Vinh Long said that the rules of recruitment and management of human resources lacked transparency, directly affecting the rights and spirit of competition of the athletes. “It is necessary to have a clearer in the way FIVB runs to ensure fairness for all teams and individuals,” Inquirer quoted Bich Tuyen's sharing.
The Philippine media also appreciated Bich Tuyen's courage when daring to speak, because rarely athletes in Southeast Asia publicly criticized international organizations. This is not only shocking in Vietnam but also for the regional volleyball world to watch closely.
Bich Tuyen leaving the team is considered to be difficult to compensate, especially when Vietnam is preparing to compete in a large playground. However, the Southeast Asian press also said that this could be an important turning point, helping Vietnamese volleyball to find a long -term solution, and build inheritance forces.
Bich Tuyen's decision to withdraw not only shocked the team, but also raised a big question about how to manage and orient the development of Vietnam's volleyball in the future.