Vietnam’s preparations for the 2025 FIVB Women’s Volleyball World Championship suffered a major blow after star opposite spiker Nguyễn Thị Bích Tuyền announced she will not compete in the tournament, citing concerns over player eligibility requirements from the FIVB.
The 25-year-old, who stands 6-foot-2, revealed her decision on social media on Tuesday, just days before the World Championship tips off in Thailand from August 22 to September 7.
“Winning the SEA V.League Round 2 championship is proof of our relentless effort—it’s truly a dream come true. That historic victory against Thailand will always be one of the most beautiful memories of my career,” Tuyền wrote.
“Today, I’d like to share with you that I will not be joining the upcoming World Championship. This was a decision I thought about carefully, and it has the full respect of both the coaching staff and the Vietnam Volleyball Federation.”
During the 2025 FIVB Women’s U21 World Championship in Surabaya, Vietnam’s Đặng Thị Hồng, Le Nhu Anh, and Nguyễn Phương Quỳnh were reportedly subjected to “tests.”
Dang was subsequently disqualified, forcing Vietnam to forfeit its victories over Indonesia, Serbia, and Canada.
The FIVB cited Article 12.2 of the FIVB Disciplinary Regulations 2023, which states:
While the testing is not mandatory, Tuyền expressed her disapproval of the policy, saying it undermines fairness and transparency in sport.
“My decision is not because I’ve lost the desire to compete, but because of new requirements from the International Volleyball Federation regarding player conditions.
“For me, sports are not just about competition—they’re also about respect and fairness. I feel that these new rules lack transparency and fairness for athletes. Every athlete deserves to compete in an environment where respect and equality are upheld,” she explained.
Ranked No. 22 in the world, Vietnam has been grouped in Pool G alongside powerhouse Poland (No. 3), Germany (No. 11), and Kenya (No. 23).
Tuyền’s absence leaves a major hole in Vietnam’s rotation, as she has been the team’s top scorer.
Tuyền was named Most Valuable Player in Vietnam’s back-to-back triumphs — the AVC Women’s Volleyball Nations Cup, where the team claimed the continental crown; and the SEA V.League Second Leg, where Vietnam stunned archrival Thailand in the final.
“To protect my integrity and to avoid unnecessary risks for the team, I’ve decided to step back. I’ll be using this time to continue training and preparing for future tournaments,” she added.
“I believe that with proper preparation, the Vietnam team will continue to fight with all their heart and achieve even greater success.”
