1. Vietnam surpasses its 27th SEA Games targets

Vietnamese athletes’ 73 gold medals surpassed their 70 gold medal target, and helped the team finish third at the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar.

Vietnam’s U23 footballers failed make the top four, ending the streak of the previous five Games.

2. Le Quang Liem becomes world chess champion

Grandmaster Le Quang Liem was named blitz chess world champion in blitz event after defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov. His victory marks a new chapter in Vietnam’s chess history.

3. Local gymnasts impress

Pham Phuoc Hung’s World Cup triumph in Slovenia made 2013 a successful year for Vietnamese gymnastics.

Phan Thi ha Thanh won gold at the World Challenge in Qatar. She also finished first at Croatia’s international gymnastics tournament.

4. Nguyen Tien Minh wins world championship bronze
 

Vietnam’s best male badminton player Nguyen Tien Minh earned a bronze medal at the 2013 World Badminton Championships.

Minh’s achievement helped Vietnam secure 18th place in world country rankings.

5. Talented athletes star at 27th SEA Games
Vietnamese athletes recorded some of their best results at the region’s largest sporting event in Myanmar.
Highlights include swimmer Nguyen Thi Anh Vien’s three gold medals, a record-breaking performance from weightlifter Thach Kim Tuan, chess player Nguyen Ngoc Truong Son’s two golds, track and field athlete Nguyen Van Lai’s two golds, marksman Hoang Xuan Vinh’s three gold medals, track-and-field gold medalist Vu Thi Huong, Judo artist Van Ngoc Tu’s record five gold medals, and Mong ethnic minority fighter Luu Thi Duyen’s first female boxing gold medal.

6. Women’s football squad qualifies for Asian championships finals
 

Coach Tran Van Phat led Vietnam’s female footballers into the final round of the 2014 Asian Cup with 24 goals and three victories. Vietnam will host the tournament’s conclusion next year.

7. Success of national U19 team

Vietnam’s U19 squad won audiences’ admiration after entering the Asian Championships’ final round with three qualifying round victories.

8. Vietnam Football Federation postpones congress

VFF leaders

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) postponed its 7th congress, scheduled for October, because of personnel issues. The event is now expected early next year.

9. Local team quits V.League
Cement Xuan Thanh Sai Gon dissolved before the 2013 V.League season’s conclusion. It was the first time in Vietnamese football history a local team refused to compete in the final round. 

10. Outstanding table tennis players miss their chance
Vietnamese table tennis stars including Dinh Quang Linh and Tran Tuan Quynh chose not to compete at the 27th SEA Games in Myanmar. Le Tien Dat won a silver medal at the Games.