Vietnamese Bodybuilding: New force in the continental arena

In the past 6 years, bodybuilding has really grown in stature, becoming a strong sport in Vietnamese sports . The number of medals won in the annual international competition system (Southeast Asia, Asia, world) by Vietnamese athletes from 2019 to now has exceeded 100, of which gold medals account for half, according to statistics from the National Weightlifting - Bodybuilding Federation.

Impressive achievements

In 2024, Vietnamese bodybuilding ranked second in the medal tally at the Asian Championships, then a few months later topped the medal tally at the World Championships. This unprecedented achievement helped Vietnamese bodybuilding achieve a prestigious position in the history of the World Bodybuilding & Physique Sports Federation (WBPF).

Bodybuilding was not included in the competition at the 33rd SEA Games later this year. However, Thailand was still chosen to host the 19th Southeast Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships, as well as the 57th Asian Bodybuilding and Fitness Championships, both held in Bangkok from August 20 to 24.

After careful preparation for nearly a year, the Vietnamese bodybuilding team with 30 athletes was assigned to the two tournaments mentioned above (another group of key athletes is ready to compete in the world championship at the end of the year). All of them completed their tasks excellently.

The two competitions in Thailand are also the biggest activities of the year for regional and continental bodybuilding. Nearly 300 athletes from 27 countries and territories gathered to compete and the fact that Vietnamese bodybuilding achieved such positive results as mentioned is truly a positive sign.

The impressive performance of star athletes such as Le Ngoc Thai, Le Hong Phong, Tran Van Khanh, Nguyen Minh My, Truong Hoang Long, Chau Nguyen Kha (gold medal), Vo Quang Minh, Nguyen Viet Phu, K'Tuyen, Pham Van Lap (silver medal) and Ho Cong Hoai Long, Pham Hoai Nam, Nguyen Thanh Thieu, Ha Thi Thanh Trang (bronze medal) helped the Vietnamese team rank first in the men's team and also win first place overall at the 2025 Southeast Asian Championship.

Thể hình Việt Nam: Thế lực mới ở sàn đấu châu lục - Ảnh 1. — The Vietnamese bodybuilding team ranked first in Southeast Asia and second overall in the 2025 Asian tournament. (Photo: DINH KIM)

Two years, two continental runner-ups

Only a fierce acceleration from the host Thai team (the second largest in the tournament, after India) could prevent the Vietnamese team from taking the top spot in the Asian Championship as they did in the Southeast Asian arena.

Still dominating the lightweight categories of bodybuilding with champions Tran Anh Vu (55 kg) and Tran Van Khanh (70 kg), the Vietnamese team expanded into veteran bodybuilding with Nguyen Viet Phu winning the gold medal in the 40-49 age group or fitness categories. The fact that the WBPSF and the Asian Bodybuilding Federation (ABBF) have added many new categories to the competition program is an opportunity for athletes to compete for individual and team achievements.

While the youngest girl on the team (22 years old) Le Thi Cam Huong was satisfied with 3 bronze medals in individual and mixed doubles, the 2024 world champions Nguyen Thi Kim Dung and Ta Thi Ngoc Bich were the happiest. Kim Dung won the "double gold" in 2 fitness physique events for female athletes up to 1.65 m tall and Athletic Physique for women in the open category. Ngoc Bich also brought home 2 gold medals in fitness physique events for female athletes over 1.65 m tall and Ladies model physique for female athletes over 35 years old.

Ngoc Bich could have won a hat-trick if she had been a little luckier in the Model Physique category for women over 1.7 m tall. She finished second in this category, only a few percentage points behind champion Zu Zu Thant (Myanmar).

Winning double the number of gold medals compared to the achievement target registered with the industry leaders before departure, the Vietnamese bodybuilding team has successfully completed its mission at the Southeast Asian Championship and the Asian Championship in 2025.