Nguyen Tien Minh, 43, overcomes Vietnam Open 2026 qualifier

Nguyen Tien Minh, 43 years old and currently ranked 254th in the world, won his qualifying match at the Vietnam Open 2026, a BWF Super 100 tournament held in Vietnam from September 8 to 13, 2026. He beat younger player Nguyen Hoang Thai Son, who is primarily a doubles specialist. Minh admitted that his opponent had strength and speed but was not strong in singles. The victory was built on Minh's experience and his ability to exploit a player who is not used to the demands of singles badminton. No detailed statistics such as smash speed or error rate were released, making it difficult to judge his form. Minh will next face Zhe Ying Wu in the main draw. Meanwhile, Le Duc Phat struggled with knee and heel injuries and needed pain-killing injections. Nguyen Hai Dang lost early, while Nguyen Thuy Linh faced 19-year-old Xu Wen Jing. The tournament attracted more than 300 players from 27 countries and territories. Vietnam's badminton team is clearly in a transition period, and Minh's presence shows both his dedication and the need for younger players to develop faster.