Vietnamese sports continue to affirm their position with proud achievements in regional and international arenas. Contributing to this success are two outstanding young faces of Dak Lak province’s sports.

Van Minh Hieu - A young karate player with steel fists

In the Vietnamese karate scene, Van Minh Hieu (20 years old) is considered by experts to be one of the most promising young talents.

He started martial arts relatively late, in 2019 at the age of 15, but after only four years of training, this “rough gem” from Hoa Phu commune - a region in the Eastern part of Dak Lak province - has been polished. Van Minh Hieu was called up to the national karate team at the end of 2022. The first major turning point in his career came in March 2023, when Minh Hieu participated in the Southeast Asian Karate Championship for the first time and excellently won the Gold Medal in the 57 kg weight category.

Van Minh Hieu (second from the left) on the podium receiving the Gold Medal at the 2025 Southeast Asian Karate Championship

In 2024, he marked his success with a “double” gold medal win at the National Youth Championships and the National Club Championships. In 2025, Van Minh Hieu continued to assert his class by winning the gold medal in the 61 kg weight category at the 2025 Southeast Asian Karate Championships in Brunei, before adding another gold medal at the National Strong Clubs Cup.

Despite his continuous high achievements, few know that Minh Hieu suffered a serious injury for a year, almost forcing him to end his career. However, instead of giving up, Hieu persevered day by day, overcoming both physical pain and mental pressure to return stronger than ever.

These glittering medals are not only rewards for his relentless efforts but also proof of the willpower and steely spirit of a young martial artist determined to overcome all challenges to reach the pinnacle.

Tuyet “Chili Pepper” and the double silver medal at SEA Games 33

Young athlete Le Thi Tuyet, known to fans by her nickname Tuyet “Chili Pepper”, is also a prominent figure in Vietnamese athletics.

At the SEA Games 33 in Thailand, Tuyet “Chili Pepper” made a strong impression by winning a double Silver Medal in the 5,000m and 10,000m events, which is a particularly noteworthy achievement because it was Tuyet's first time competing in these two distances at the regional competition, after deciding to move away from her specialty of 42km marathon.

Le Thi Tuyet (on the right) proudly raising the national flag after winning the Silver Medal at the 33rd SEA Games

Previously, at SEA Games 32, Le Thi Tuyet made a strong impression by winning a Silver Medal in her first appearance at the Games in the 42km race. However, following the advice of her coaching staff, she decided to try shorter distances - requiring a complete change in training intensity, tactics, and acceleration ability. To adapt, Tuyet devoted herself wholeheartedly to training, gradually familiarizing herself with the rigorous demands of the new events.

Born and raised in a farming family in Hoa Thinh commune, Le Thi Tuyet's childhood was closely associated with rice fields, rivers, and harsh rainy seasons, early on forging a resilient spirit and rare endurance.

Her achievements from SEA Games 32 to SEA Games 33 demonstrate her immense potential, and she is expected to follow in the footsteps of her senior, Nguyen Thi Oanh, to continue writing golden chapters for Vietnamese athletics.

The medals of Van Minh Hieu and Le Thi Tuyet represent the journey of individuals who persevered, dared to change to overcome their limitations, and accepted the most challenging trials to reach glory.

Translated by TRINH THUY