On the evening of April 17, 2026, veteran badminton player Nguyen Tien Minh secured the men’s singles championship at the 1st Ho Chi Minh City Sports Festival – 2026 after his younger opponent Hai Dang withdrew due to injury. The match, held at the Ho Xuan Huong Sports Club in Xuan Hoa Ward, concluded the badminton tournament’s singles finals in five categories.
Earlier that same evening, Vu Thi Trang, Nguyen Tien Minh’s wife and too representing An Dong Ward, won the women’s singles title by defeating Le Nguyen Ngoc Nga of Ben Thanh Ward in straight sets, 21-10 and 21-9. This victory marked a rare feat as the married couple claimed both singles championships at the same event.
The women’s match began with Vu Thi Trang establishing an early lead in the first set, opening the scoring and maintaining control until she reached 10-6. She then dominated the final 11 points, allowing her 15-year-old opponent only three more points to close the set 21-10. In the second set, Vu Thi Trang continued her strong performance, winning 21-9 to seal the 2-0 victory.
Nguyen Tien Minh’s path to the title came after Hai Dang, representing Ben Thanh Ward, withdrew from the men’s singles final due to injury. The veteran player from An Dong Ward was subsequently awarded the championship without having to play the final match.
The badminton competition at the Ho Chi Minh City Sports Festival 2026 ran from April 9 to April 18 at the Ho Xuan Huong Sports Club. The event attracted 48 ward and commune units with a total of 383 athletes participating — 274 men and 109 women. Prior to the singles events, a team competition concluded on April 11, with Linh Trung ward winning the men’s team category and An Dong ward claiming first place in the women’s team division.
This double championship victory highlights the continued prominence of Nguyen Tien Minh and Vu Thi Trang in Vietnamese badminton, both having previously held top national rankings in their respective disciplines. Their success at the 2026 Ho Chi Minh City Sports Festival adds to their legacy as one of the sport’s most accomplished married couples in Vietnam.
The Ho Chi Minh City Sports Festival 2026 featured multiple sporting disciplines beyond badminton, with competitions taking place across various venues in the city throughout the ten-day period. As the festival progressed toward its conclusion on April 18, athletes from different wards continued to compete for honors in their respective sports.
For ongoing updates on the Ho Chi Minh City Sports Festival 2026 and other sporting events in Vietnam, readers are encouraged to follow official channels and trusted sports news platforms.
