Hanoi, 4 February 2026 – Vietnam women’s national volleyball team are set to compete in their first major international tournament that contributes official ranking points toward the world standings of the Fédération Internationale de Volleyball (FIVB).
The Asian Volleyball Confederation (AVC) has announced the list of 12 qualified women’s national teams for the AVC Cup 2026, formerly known as the AVC Nations Cup.
According to the schedule, the tournament will take place from June 6 to 14, 2026, in Candon, Ilocos Sur Province, Philippines. Choosing Candon as the host city reflects the Philippines’ effort to expand major continental sporting events beyond the capital, while also promoting local destinations with strong tourism and sports development potential.
This will be the second time the Philippines hosts the competition, after Manila successfully staged the 2024 edition. The organizational success of that tournament played an important role in earning continued trust from the AVC to stage more high-level regional events.
Vietnam enter the tournament as defending champions, having lifted the trophy for three consecutive editions. Alongside the hosts Philippines, this year’s participants include Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Iran, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Chinese Taipei, and Uzbekistan.
One notable highlight is the presence of South Korea women’s national volleyball team, traditionally regarded as one of Asia’s powerhouses behind China and Japan. South Korea have frequently competed in the Volleyball Nations League (VNL), the world’s top-tier event. However, after finishing last in VNL 2025, they were relegated and will now compete in the AVC Cup 2026. Their participation adds a new layer of difficulty for Vietnam’s title defense.
Vietnam have proven they can compete with the Korean side before, defeating them twice with identical 3-2 scorelines at the 2023 Asian Games and the 2023 Asian Championship. Those victories give the team confidence heading into another potential showdown.
For coach Tuan Kiet and his players, the mission is clear: defend the title and collect as many ranking points as possible to improve their global position. Vietnam are currently ranked 28th in the world and see this tournament as a crucial stepping stone toward climbing higher on the international stage.
With momentum, experience, and growing belief, Vietnam head to the Philippines determined not only to protect their crown but also to strengthen their status among Asia’s elite.
VSN/RPT
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