Bich Tuyen withdrew from the team on the morning of 19/8, citing family reasons. The Vietnam Volleyball Federation (VFV) and the coaching staff respect her decision, but it came as a surprise.

"We were surprised by Bich Tuyen's decision to leave the team," coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet said before a friendly match against Kenya. "The coaching staff has to restabilize everything, from the morale of the remaining players to personnel strategies."

Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen (left red jersey) plays in the match where the Vietnam women's volleyball team lost to Spain 0-4 in a friendly match at Dong Anh Gymnasium, Hanoi, on 17/8/2025. Photo: Hieu Luong

Bich Tuyen's withdrawal came just one day before the team's departure for Thailand for the 2025 World Championship. She also missed the friendly match against Kenya. This decision leaves Vietnam short-handed for the tournament as the deadline for replacements has passed with the FIVB (International Volleyball Federation).

"This unexpected and unavoidable situation means we can only field 13 players," coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet said. "However, the team employs a collective playing style and has contingency plans in case of any absences."

The 33rd SEA Games, also in Thailand, will take place in November. When asked about Bich Tuyen's potential participation, coach Tuan Kiet said: "With or without Tuyen, we have multiple strategies for competition. Our playing style is flexible, and the players have spent considerable time together on the national team. Their unity and understanding of each other will create a strong team with a thirst for victory."

This is not the first time Bich Tuyen has withdrawn from the national team. In 2022, she participated in the 31st SEA Games on home soil, but declined to participate in Asian tournaments like the AVC Challenge Cup and the Asian Grand Prix. In 2023, she initially joined the training camp but withdrew one day before the AVC Challenge Cup, the Asian Women's Volleyball Club Championship, and the FIVB Volleyball Women's Club World Championship.

Bich Tuyen was also absent from the Vietnam team that finished 4th in the 2023 Asian Championship in Thailand. As Thailand won the championship and hosted the 2025 World Championship, the three Asian spots were awarded to the second, third, and fourth-place teams. This resulted in Vietnam's first-ever qualification for the World Championship.

Coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet (center) during Vietnam's 3-2 victory over Thailand to win the second leg of the 2025 SEA V-League Women's Volleyball Tournament at Ninh Binh Gymnasium on 10/8/2025. Photo: Hieu Luong

Bich Tuyen's previous withdrawals prompted the VFV to amend the National Championship regulations in 2024. Regulation 7, concerning rewards and discipline, states that if athletes summoned to the national team or national youth team for international duty fail to comply with the VFV and Department of Physical Education and Sports' summons, or if clubs prevent athletes from attending national team training for any reason other than unavoidable circumstances with the federation's consent, the club and athlete will be banned from competing in official VFV tournaments and rounds.

Since 2024, Bich Tuyen has represented Ninh Binh in the Asian Women's Volleyball Club Championship. She has also regularly participated in major tournaments with Vietnam, such as the AVC Nations Cup (formerly the AVC Challenge Cup), the FIVB Challenger Cup, and the SEA V-League.

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 spell with Binh Dien Long An in 2019. She joined Ninh Binh Club in 2021. Bich Tuyen's presence has transformed the Vietnam women's volleyball team in the past two years on the continental and world stage.

Bich Tuyen's absence from the World Championship is a significant loss for Vietnam. She played a crucial role in the team's first SEA V-League second leg victory on 10/8. Against Thailand, she broke the record for most points scored in a single match with 45, leading Vietnam to a 3-2 comeback win. After the tournament, Bich Tuyen expressed her commitment to participating in the World Championship to learn, exchange experiences, and compete.

The 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship will take place from 22/8 to 7/9 in four cities across Thailand. Thirty-two teams are divided into eight groups, playing a round-robin format, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the round of 16.

Vietnam is in Group G in Phuket and will face Poland on 23/8, Germany on 25/8, and Kenya on 27/8.

Vietnam's roster for the 2025 FIVB Volleyball Women's World Championship:

Outside hitters: Tran Thi Thanh Thuy (captain), 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.

Hieu Luong