Tianjin, 6 February 2026 – Vietnam national athletics team have officially arrived at the indoor athletics arena in Tianjin, completing their final preparations ahead of the 12th Asian Indoor Athletics Championships.
This event is the first major continental championship on the 2026 athletics calendar and serves as an important benchmark for Vietnam to assess its competitive strength in a high-level international environment.
For this edition, Vietnam has brought what is considered its strongest possible squad in key disciplines, particularly middle-distance and long-distance running, as well as the women’s high jump.
The main focus remains on Nguyen Thi Oanh, Vietnam’s most experienced and decorated athlete, who has consistently proven her class at both regional and continental levels. She will compete in two major events: the women’s 1,500 meters and 3,000 meters.
Alongside Nguyen Thi Oanh, the women’s high jump is another area of strong expectation. Vietnam will be represented by two promising young athletes, Bui Thi Kim Anh and Duong Thi Thao. This marks the first time both athletes have qualified for the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships, a significant milestone in their careers as they gain exposure at the highest level in the region.
Bui Thi Kim Anh has emerged as one of Vietnam’s brightest talents in the women’s high jump. At the SEA Games 33 held last year, she made a strong impression by winning the gold medal in her debut appearance, clearing a height of 1.86 meters. That mark not only secured her the top spot on the podium but also stands as the best official result of her career to date. Meanwhile, her teammate Duong Thi Thao confirmed her growing potential by winning the bronze medal at the same event, underlining her steady progress and long-term development prospects.
Following SEA Games 33, both athletes returned to intensive training at the National High-Performance Athlete Training Center to further refine their technique, improve physical conditioning, and prepare for bigger challenges ahead. Competing at this continental championship provides a valuable opportunity for them to gain experience and accurately measure themselves against Asia’s elite.
Notably, at the 2024 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships held in Iran, the gold-medal-winning height in the women’s high jump was 1.86 meters — exactly the same height achieved by Bui Thi Kim Anh at SEA Games 33. This fact offers a realistic basis for Vietnam to hope for a medal challenge, provided the athletes maintain peak form and competition readiness.
The Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2026 will take place from February 6 to 8, featuring Asia’s top athletes across a wide range of events, including 60m, 400m, 800m, 1,500m, 3,000m, 60m hurdles, 4x400m relay, as well as technical disciplines such as high jump, pole vault, long jump, triple jump, shot put, and the heptathlon. The tournament serves not only as a premier competitive stage but also as a key indicator of the development of athletics across the continent.
With thorough preparation, a well-structured squad, and strong determination, the Vietnam athletics team is expected to deliver encouraging performances in Tianjin. Beyond immediate results, the championship offers invaluable experience and lays an important foundation for Vietnam’s long-term goals in the international athletics system throughout 2026 and beyond.
Vietnam Athletes’ Competition Schedule (GMT +7)
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Women’s 1,500m: 17:00, February 6 – Nguyen Thi Oanh
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Women’s 3,000m: 18:10, February 7 – Nguyen Thi Oanh
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Women’s High Jump: 10:35, February 8 – Bui Thi Kim Anh, Duong Thi Thao
VSN/RPT
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