Nguyen Tien Minh Books Main Draw Berth at Vietnam Open 2026

On September 8, 2026, in Vietnam, the Vietnam Open 2026 badminton tournament – a BWF Super 100 event – officially began. This year’s event attracted over 300 athletes from 27 countries and regions, promising intense and dramatic matches. The tournament is not only an opportunity for players to earn ranking points but also a chance to promote Vietnam’s image and tourism to international friends. On the first day of qualifications, fans paid special attention to the match between Nguyễn Tiến Minh, a 43-year-old veteran who once reached a high world ranking, and Nguyễn Hoàng Thái Sơn, a younger player with physical strength and speed. Sơn is primarily known as a doubles specialist, but competing in singles at an international event is a valuable experience for his career development. Despite his opponent’s lack of experience in singles, Nguyễn Tiến Minh did not take any chances. He played with focus, used smart tactics to control the pace and limit the opponent’s power. After several intense rallies, Minh emerged victorious, thus booking a spot in the main draw. Speaking after the match, Minh shared: “I am very happy with this result. My opponent today played well, especially in attacking shots. I must admit that his youth and speed were great challenges. However, with my experience, I figured him out and won.” He also expressed his love for badminton: “Even at 43, I am still passionate. Every match is a memory for me, and I want to play for as long as possible to inspire the younger generation.” Besides Minh’s performance, other Vietnamese players faced many difficulties. Lê Đức Phát, considered Vietnam’s number one player in the world rankings, has been struggling with knee and heel injuries. He had to take pain-relief injections before playing to be able to continue. His wife’s presence on the sidelines was a great mental boost for him in such a difficult situation. Meanwhile, Nguyễn Hải Đăng, a promising young talent, was eliminated early after losing in the qualification round. This result shows that youth development still needs more time. In the women’s singles, Vietnam’s representative Nguyễn Thùy Linh is also set to compete. She is expected to go deep in the tournament as her draw is not too tough. Her first opponent is 19-year-old Xu Wen Jing from Chinese Taipei. Although younger, Xu Wen Jing is a solid player, promising an interesting contest. The Vietnam Open 2026 may not be a big event like Super 500 or Super 750, but for the Vietnamese badminton community, this tournament is a chance for domestic players to gain international experience and return to action after long injury layoffs. Moreover, successfully hosting an international event helps promote Vietnam’s image and tourism to the world. Looking at Nguyễn Tiến Minh’s form, it is clear that at 43, he can still compete at the continental level, albeit not at the highest level he once reached. For badminton lovers, every match of Minh is a gift. His persistence is a great lesson for young athletes about passion and discipline. In the main draw, Nguyễn Tiến Minh will face Taiwanese player Zhe Ying Wu. This is expected to be a tough match, but with his vast experience and top-level competitive spirit, Minh could surprise. Can the golden boy of Vietnamese badminton continue his journey into the twilight of his career? The answer will come in the coming days.