Phan Hien and Thu Huong compete for the Southeast Asian championship title. Video: Nguyen Tinh
The event, held for the first time in Vietnam, was organized by the Vietnam Gymnastics Federation in collaboration with KTA King The Art and the World DanceSport Federation (WDSF). Vietnam is the second country to host this tournament after three editions in China. Athletes competed for medals in the Southeast Asian, Asian, and World Open categories from 9/7 to 13/7, with one round of competition and an awards ceremony each day. 3,000 athletes from 37 countries and territories registered to participate.
On 10/7, in Ho Chi Minh City, Phan Hien and Thu Huong competed in the Southeast Asian championship in five Latin dances, the Paso Doble, and the Samba. They won gold medals, surpassing competitors from Cambodia, the Philippines, and Malaysia.
In preparation for the tournament, the dance duo trained in Europe for a month. "I am delighted to retain the Southeast Asian championship title," Phan Hien said. Previously, at the 31st SEA Games, Phan Hien and Thu Huong won medals for Vietnam in five Latin dances, the Paso Doble, and the Jive. Last year, they became the first Vietnamese dancesport athletes to rank 41st in the world, thanks to their top 10 finish in the 2024 World Open Latin competition.
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Phan Hien and Thu Huong receive gold medals in five Latin dances, the Paso Doble, and the Samba in the Southeast Asian championship. Photo: Provided by the organizers.
In addition to Phan Hien and Thu Huong, Ngoc An and To Uyen won gold medals in the Chacha and the Rumba, while Nam Anh and Anh Phuong secured bronze in the Jive.
Scenes from the opening ceremony of the "Vietnam Dancesport Festival 2025." Video: Nguyen Tinh
Phan Hien, 32, is married to dancesport artist Khanh Thi, 43. In 2009, the pair won a gold medal at the Asian Dancesport Championship, making Phan Hien a champion at just 16. After retiring, Khanh Thi became Phan Hien's coach. Besides competing, they appear together in game shows and events, and run an art training center in Ho Chi Minh City.
Thu Huong, 35, graduated with honors from the Vietnam Dance Academy and has been a national champion since 2007. She is currently a single mother with one son.
Hoang Dung
