Vietnam defeat Thailand to win Southeast Asian volleyball championship for first time

In his first official tournament, Vietnam’s head coach Federico Rampazzo instilled passion and determination into the squad, along with impressive tactical marks.

Vietnam held a narrow 22-20 lead before losing 22-25 in the first set. However, the Italian coach maintained confidence for his players, telling them that the tactics worked well and a slight mental adjustment would make a difference.

Things improved in the second set. Vietnam trailed but turned the tide around when the score surpassed 20. Two crucial aces from Dinh Van Phuong and Dinh Van Duy gave the team a 23-22 advantage before they sealed the set 25-23. Coach Rampazzo rushed onto the court to celebrate with his players.

With spirits lifted, the third set remained under Vietnam’s control. The team commanded a dominant nine-point lead at 21-12. Thailand’s most dangerous attacker, Chaiwat Thungkham, was closely marked by Vietnam blockers, resulting in many missed spikes. Thailand briefly sparked a comeback with four points, but a powerful spike from Tran Duy Tuyen broke their streak. Nguyen Ngoc Thuan then delivered a similar strike to close out the set.

In the fourth set, when the score was tied at 8-8, Vietnam allowed Thailand to go on a 10-point run. As the gap widened, coach Rampazzo made a tactical decision to rest key players, accepting a 15-25 loss to save energy for the fifth set.

The deciding set saw Ngoc Thuan’s serve hit the net and bounce past the block, causing Vietnam to slip to a 6-7 deficit. A timeout called by coach Rampazzo helped players regain composure. Luck also appeared to be on Vietnam’s side. After an opponent’s serve hit the net, Vietnam’s following serve hit, giving them a crucial 9-8 lead. Thailand’s offense, heavily reliant on Napadet Bhinijdee, repeatedly made errors or failed to penetrate Vietnam’s defense, ultimately leading to Thailand losing the final set 15-25.

Following the thrilling victory, Vietnam players celebrated on the court with a surfing style, similar to that of Manchester United star forward Matheus Cunha. Vietnamese flags flew across the arena, accompanied by the patriotic melody echoing through the arena.

Outside hitter Ngoc Thuan was the standout performer, scoring an impressive 27 attack points and four blocks. Following his lead were Duy Tuyen with 13 points and Dinh Van Phuong with 12. Vietnam’s defensive line contributed 16 blocks out of the team’s total of 102 points. With 98 points across four matches, Ngoc Thuan was selected as the Best Outside Hitter and the MVP, while Duy Tuyen was named Best Middle Blocker.

Vietnam players celebrate after beating Thailand the final of the second leg of the SEA V Cup at Jakarta, Indonesia on July 26, 2026. Photo by TVA

This historic championship helped the Vietnam men’s volleyball team climb one place to 58th in the FIVB world rankings with 73.58 points. Thailand dropped to 59th in the world with 70.16 points. Indonesia maintained their position at 44th, continuing to lead the region.

This marks the first time Vietnam have won the SEA V Cup after participating in eight stages since 2023. During this leg in Indonesia, the team started Group B with a 2-3 defeat against Thailand. They bounced back to beat Myanmar 3-0 in their final group stage match, followed by an impressive 3-1 victory over hosts Indonesia in the semifinals, before finally returning the favor to Thailand.

Historically, Vietnam reached the final of the second stage twice, losing to Indonesia 1-3 on both occasions. Indonesia and Thailand dominated the standings, winning three stages each over the previous three years. The dynamic shifted this year, as Cambodia won the first leg, and Vietnam claimed the second.

By securing this title, the two teams earned a direct ticket to the 2027 AVC Cup.