Nguyen Tien Minh Overcomes Vietnam Open 2026 Qualifier: A Win of Experience or Fortune?

This afternoon, at Ho Chi Minh City Gymnasium, Nguyen Tien Minh entered the Vietnam Open 2026 qualifying round as the oldest player in the tournament. At the age of 43, he still surprised fans by defeating Nguyen Hoang Thai Son, a much younger player but one whose strengths lie in doubles. This victory is not merely a sporting outcome; it raises questions about the allocation of strength within Vietnamese badminton between singles and doubles. The Vietnam Open 2026 is a BWF Super 100 tournament, held from September 8 to 13. With more than 300 players from 27 countries and territories, the tournament is seen as an important points-grabbing opportunity for mid-ranked players. Nguyen Tien Minh, currently ranked 254th in the world, had to go through qualifying to reach the main draw. He overcame Nguyen Hoang Thai Son – a doubles specialist – with a convincing score line. After the match, Minh shared: "My opponent has strength and speed, but his singles specialty is not really good. I used my experience to control the pace of the match." However, observers believe this victory reflects a gap in professional expertise rather than Minh's peak form. Specifically, Nguyen Hoang Thai Son is used to moving and coordinating in doubles; when playing singles, his court coverage and tactical discipline showed many weaknesses. Minh exploited these gaps, especially by consistently moving the opponent to both deep corners. That said, the qualifying victory does not say much. In the main draw, Minh will face Zhe Ying Wu from Chinese Taipei. This opponent is much superior in terms of fitness and youth. Minh admitted that he can no longer maintain his previous speed, but his experience and ability to read the game remain powerful weapons. Reaching the main draw of a Super 100 event also gives him extra ranking points, though the amount is not significant compared to major tournaments. Apart from Minh's story, this year's Vietnam Open also sees the return of several Vietnamese players during a generational transition. Le Duc Phat, one of the home team's top hopes, is struggling with knee and heel injuries. He needed pain-relief injections to compete. The presence of his family, especially his wife, has partly boosted his morale. However, medical experts warn that competing with injuries could make the situation worse. Meanwhile, Nguyen Hai Dang already exited in the qualifying round. This result shows that competition in men's singles remains fierce even at smaller tournaments. In women's singles, Nguyen Thuy Linh is also preparing to face 19-year-old Xu Wen Jing from China. This is a match expected to bring much excitement to home fans. The participation of many international players at the Vietnam Open shows that Vietnam's standing in Southeast Asia is being strengthened. Hosting a Super 100 tournament not only helps young players gain experience but also promotes the country's image. However, for sustainable development, more systematic investment in medical care, coaching, and talent scouting is needed. Nguyen Tien Minh's presence at age 43 proves he still has passion, but it also highlights the lack of successors in men's singles. The question is: Is Minh's victory over a doubles player truly a positive signal for Vietnamese badminton, or just a beautiful moment for a veteran? Analysts suggest adopting a realistic view. This win is not enough to confirm form, and the next opponent will be the real test. Moreover, the gap between singles and doubles training is becoming an issue that sports administrators need to address. Nevertheless, for fans, the image of a 43-year-old Nguyen Tien Minh still competing is a great inspiration. He wins not only through technique but also through a loving heart for the sport. That is what makes this year's Vietnam Open attractive, despite its regional nature.