Vietnam's volleyball beauty shares happy news

Former national team player Nguyen Thu Hoai received an outpouring of congratulations from fans and teammates after posting photos of her baby bump a year after her wedding.

Speaking with VnExpress, Hoai shared that she is expecting her first son. She admitted to initial difficulties adjusting to the physical and emotional changes of pregnancy, but is now doing well.

Thanks to her skills, Hoai has been a pillar of the Vietnamese women's national volleyball team for many years.

At the 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines, Hoai played a key role in the team's silver medal win. She and her teammates repeated this feat at the 2022 SEA Games, finishing second to Thailand.

"We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of this special new member," Hoai said, adding that her husband's support helped her navigate the sensitive early stages and regain balance.

Hoai also became the first Vietnamese player to win the best setter award at an international tournament - the 2016 Southeast Asian Youth Volleyball Championship.

Born in 1998 in An Cau commune, Quynh Phu district, Thai Binh, Nguyen Thu Hoai stands at 1.74 m tall, with a spike reach of 2.85 m and a block reach of 2.82 m.

Developed in Vinh Phuc's volleyball program, she joined Vietinbank and has excelled as a setter for over 10 years.

Hoai has various plans for the future, potentially becoming an MC, sports editor, or teacher. However, she emphasizes her love for volleyball and her desire to work in a field related to the sport.

Beyond her talent, she is also admired for her beauty and radiant smile. The Thai Binh native won the "Miss Volleyball" title at the 2022 National Championship.

Hoai is also a dedicated student, having graduated from the National Economics University, part of Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

"My parents initially didn't want me to pursue volleyball, fearing it would distract me from my studies and make it difficult to find a job after my sports career. So, when the opportunity arose, I decided to attend university to reassure them and further my own knowledge," Hoai shared.

Furthermore, she runs an online English teaching center, assisting many of her colleagues in improving their language skills.

In November 2024, Hoai married Bao Anh, who works in the police force and is also from Thai Binh. They met while participating in a summer youth volunteer program where Anh was stationed. "I didn't know what it felt like to be in love, but his words were sincere, affectionate, and showed attentiveness. We nurtured our feelings and decided to get married," Hoai recounted.

"My husband and both sets of parents have been my strongest support system since I got married, not just since I became pregnant," she stated. Due to work commitments, Hoai still resides in Hanoi, returning to her hometown on weekends or having her parents visit her.

Besides volleyball, Hoai is also a skilled pickleball player. Her husband introduced her to the sport when they first started dating. "But for me, volleyball is life, while pickleball is an experience to discover new and interesting things," Hoai explained.