The Vietnam women's national volleyball team is scheduled to travel to Phuket, Thailand tomorrow, 20/8, for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship. However, the Vietnam Volleyball Federation (VFV) announced that Bich Tuyen will not be on the team.

Bich Tuyen spikes the ball during Vietnam's 3-2 victory over Thailand in the second leg of the 2025 SEA V-League women's volleyball tournament at Ninh Binh Provincial Gymnasium, 10/8. Photo: Hieu Luong. *Italicized*

"Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen has expressed her wish not to participate in this tournament and will be absent for personal reasons," the VFV stated. "The VFV and the national team's coaching staff respect her decision. We affirm that Bich Tuyen remains a valuable member and we welcome her return to contribute to the national team in the future when she is ready."

Bich Tuyen's absence is a significant loss for Vietnam. She was a key player in the team's SEA V-League second-leg championship win on 10/8. In the final match, she broke her personal record by scoring 45 points, leading Vietnam to a comeback victory against Thailand. After winning the SEA V-League, Bich Tuyen had expressed her intention to participate in the World Cup to learn and gain experience. "My biggest goal this year is still to win the first SEA Games gold medal," she said.

Born in 2000 in Vinh Long, the 1.88m-tall Bich Tuyen played for her local volleyball club from 2016 to 2020, including a loan to Binh Dien Long An in 2019. Since 2021, she has been playing for Ninh Binh. Her presence has significantly impacted the Vietnam women's national volleyball team's performance in continental and global competitions over the past two years.

Bich Tuyen celebrates Vietnam's 3-2 win over Thailand to secure the second leg of the 2025 SEA V-League women's volleyball tournament at Ninh Binh Provincial Gymnasium, 10/8. Photo: Hieu Luong. *Italicized*

The 2025 World Cup marks the first time the Vietnam women's team has qualified. They are in Group G with Poland (ranked 3rd globally), Germany (11th), and Kenya (22nd). Vietnam will face Poland on 23/8, Germany on 25/8, and Kenya on 27/8.

The 2025 World Cup features 32 teams divided into eight groups. The teams will compete in a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the round of 16.

Vietnam team roster:

Outside hitters: Tran Thi Thanh Thuy (C), Vi Thi Nhu Quynh, Nguyen Thi Uyen, Nguyen Thi Phuong

Middle blockers: Nguyen Thi Trinh, Tran Thi Bich Thuy, Le Thanh Thuy, Pham Thi Hien

Opposite hitter: Hoang Thi Kieu Trinh

Setters: Doan Thi Lam Oanh, Vo Thi Kim Thoa

Liberos: Nguyen Khanh Dang, Nguyen Thi Ninh Anh

Duc Dong