Nguyen Tien Minh at Vietnam Open 2026: A qualifier win built on reading the court, not overpowering it

Vietnam Open 2026 is a BWF Super 100 tournament held from September 8 to 13, 2026, with more than 300 players from 27 countries and territories. In the men's singles qualifiers, Nguyen Tien Minh, 43 and currently ranked 254th, defeated Nguyen Hoang Thai Son, a younger player whose main strength is doubles. Minh said his opponent had strength and speed but was not strong in singles. The win showed a veteran using court reading and tactical pressure rather than physical power. Minh advanced to the main draw, where he will face Zhe Ying Wu. Meanwhile, Le Duc Phat struggled with knee and heel injuries and needed pain relief injections, while Nguyen Hai Dang had already been eliminated. The tournament highlights a transitional period for Vietnamese badminton: a veteran still competing at 43, younger players dealing with injuries, and a developing women's side led by Nguyen Thuy Linh. The key insight is not that Minh's age has lost meaning, but that Vietnamese badminton needs better injury management and generational depth.