The tournament features the world’s top 32 teams. Vietnam has been placed in Group G alongside Poland, Germany, and Kenya — a highly challenging draw for head coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet and his players.

In their opening match, captain Thanh Thuy and her teammates will face the strongest team in the group: Poland, ranked 3rd in the world. For Vietnam, this game is an opportunity to gain valuable experience, with the goal being to avoid a heavy defeat.

Poland boasts an average height of 185.6 cm, significantly higher than Vietnam's 177.4 cm. Their roster includes stars like Magdalena Stysiak, Agnieszka Korneluk, Weronika Centka-Tietianiec, and Martyna Czyrnianska. Stysiak and Korneluk both stand over 2 meters tall, while the rest of the squad averages over 1.9 meters.

Even with ideal preparation, it will be extremely difficult for Vietnam to avoid a 3-0 loss to Poland. The match will be less about the result and more about learning to compete with elite teams at the highest level.

Next up for the SEA V-League stage 2 champions is Germany, currently ranked 11th in the world. Like Poland, Germany has a clear physical and technical advantage and features several high-caliber attackers. At the recent 2025 Volleyball Nations League, Germany defeated Thailand 3-0 with ease.

Vietnam’s most realistic shot at victory lies in their clash with Kenya, ranked 23rd in the world. While Kenya beat Vietnam in a friendly match in France two years ago, they recently suffered a 0-4 defeat in a rematch in Dong Anh, Hanoi.

In that game, Vietnam was without Bich Tuyen and experimented with several lineup changes, yet still outplayed the African side. Although Kenya may have held back or not shown their full strength, it is clear that defeating the current Vietnam squad, which has gained experience from several major tournaments and is in solid form, will not be easy.

Vietnam women's volleyball team roster:

Outside hitters: Tran Thi Thanh Thuy (C), Vi Thi Nhu Quynh, Nguyen Thi Uyen, Nguyen Thi Phuong
Middle blockers: Nguyen Thi Trinh, Tran Thi Bich Thuy, Le Thanh Thuy, Pham Thi Hien
Opposite hitter: Hoang Thi Kieu Trinh
Setters: Doan Thi Lam Oanh, Vo Thi Kim Thoa
Liberos: Nguyen Khanh Dang, Nguyen Thi Ninh Anh

Dai Nam