The most notable highlight came from Huynh Cao Minh in the men’s kayak event. The Ho Chi Minh City paddler competed with determination, showed composure against strong opponents, and finished in third place with a time of 36.066 seconds, claiming the bronze medal.
This was a landmark achievement, marking the first time Vietnamese canoeing has won a medal in the men’s kayak category at the Asian championships, an event known for its high level of competition with the participation of many strong nations.
In the women’s events, the Vietnamese canoeing team continued to show stability and squad depth. The duo of Diep Thi Huong and Nguyen Thi Huong combined effectively to win silver in the women’s double 1,000m event. Meanwhile, Nguyen Hong Thai also delivered an impressive performance, adding another silver medal in the women’s single 500m event.
The results achieved on April 25 reflected not only the efforts of each athlete, but also the team’s well-planned and purposeful preparation in recent times.
As the tournament also serves as a qualifier for the 2028 Olympics, the result is all the more meaningful, helping to build both confidence and competitive experience for the athletes as they aim for bigger goals ahead.
With these encouraging early signs, Vietnamese canoeing is gradually asserting its position in Asia and raising hopes of competing strongly on bigger stages in the time to come.
