Nguyen Thuy Linh competes in the women's singles at the Vietnam Open 2025 at Nguyen Du Gymnasium, TP HCM. Photo: Duc Dong.

The Vietnam Open 2026, part of the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Tour Super 100 system, will take place at Nguyen Du Gymnasium in TP HCM from 8-13/9. The tournament will feature over 300 players from 27 countries and territories, including many top-ranked athletes.

Vietnam's contingent in women's singles includes Nguyen Thuy Linh (world No. 29), Vu Thi Trang (No. 90), and Bui Bich Phuong (No. 215). The men's singles will see Nguyen Hai Dang (No. 79), Le Duc Phat (No. 143), and Phan Phuc Thinh (No. 213 compete. Nguyen Dinh Hoang and Tran Dinh Manh (No. 100) are Vietnam's sole representatives in men's doubles. The main draw for women's doubles includes Pham Thi Khanh and Pham Thi Dieu Ly (No. 83), Vu Thi Trang and Bui Bich Phuong, Huynh Khanh My and Ngo Thuc Tran, Mai Thi Thanh Ngan and Nguyen Hai Ha, and Nguyen Hoang Thien Kim and Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thuy. In mixed doubles, Tran Dinh Manh and Pham Thi Khanh, Pham Van Hai and Than Van Anh, and Pham Van Truong and Bui Bich Phuong will participate.

In previous Vietnam Open tournaments, Thuy Linh was consistently the first seed, winning three consecutive titles in 2022, 2023, and 2024, and finishing as runner-up in 2025. This year, however, she is seeded second. The first seed is Tanvi Sharma, a young Indian player currently ranked world No. 24.

As the second seed, Thuy Linh finds herself in a difficult section of the draw. In the first round, she is set to face 19-year-old Chinese player Xu Wen Jing. Born in 2007, Xu has achieved notable success, including third place at the Baoji China Masters 2026 and champion at the Ruichang China Masters 2026 (Super Tour 100). Just last month, Xu defeated Thuy Linh 2-0 in the first round of the Korean Masters.

If Thuy Linh advances past Xu, she will face further challenges as her section of the draw includes Isharani Baruah (India, third seed) and Tung Ciou-Tong (Taiwan, fifth seed).

Beyond the seeded players, the Vietnam Open 2026 will also feature Malaysian men's singles star, Lee Zii Jia, known as "Hammer God". The player, born in 1998, is the reigning Olympic bronze medalist. He was once ranked world number two, but injuries caused him to miss several tournaments, dropping his ranking to No. 54. Despite this, Lee Zii Jia's star power is expected to attract a large audience. Another player to watch is Shogo Ogawa from Japan. He won the Vietnam Open 2024 and is currently ranked world No. 68, known for his deceptive playing style and ability to defeat higher-ranked opponents.

Nguyen Thuy Linh wins the Vietnam Open 2024 at Nguyen Du Gymnasium, TP HCM on 15/9. Photo: Duc Dong.

Nguyen Phuong Nam, President of the TP HCM Badminton Federation and Head of the Organizing Committee, stated that this year's tournament attracts many strong players as they accumulate points for next year's Olympic qualification and use it as important preparation for the ASIAD at the end of the month. Mr. Nam acknowledged that "with strong players participating, Vietnamese players will certainly face many difficulties. However, with the home-court advantage, they can play confidently and create upsets."

The Vietnam Open 2026 offers a total prize fund of 120,000 USD. The two singles champions will each receive 9,000 USD, while the doubles champions will receive 9,480 USD. Ticket prices for matches are: 100,000 dong for 8, 9, 10/9; 150,000 dong for the quarterfinals (11/9); 250,000 dong for the semifinals (12/9); and 300,000 dong for the finals (13/9).