Vietnamese Shooting Aims at ASIAD 2026: Expectations from Golden Bullets

When the last shot rang out at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, shooter Trinh Thu Vinh probably didn't realize she had just rewritten history for Vietnamese shooting. The Gold Medal – along with 1 Silver and 1 Bronze – put the Vietnamese shooting team in third place overall in the shooting sport, just behind China and South Korea. Now, as the 2026 Asian Games approach, the biggest question is not whether Vietnam can repeat the miracle, but how to surpass itself when Asia's shooting powers have prepared more systematically than ever. The Vietnamese shooting team for the 2026 Asian Games consists of 15 athletes, competing in 18 events, focusing on air pistol events – the strong point that brought success at the previous ASIAD. This squad combines seasoned faces like Trinh Thu Vinh – who has proven her class at the continental level – and young talents such as Le Thi Mong Tuyen and Phi Thanh Thao, who are expected to create a fresh wave. The presence of these young athletes shows the long-term development strategy of the Vietnam Shooting Federation, but it also raises the question of international competition experience when entering a fierce playground. It is undeniable that Vietnamese shooting is making remarkable progress. Trinh Thu Vinh's Gold Medal at the 19th ASIAD was not only the result of individual effort but also evidence of a gradually perfecting training system. However, looking at the bigger picture, the resource gap between Vietnam and traditional rivals like China, India, South Korea, Japan remains considerable. These countries not only have huge investment budgets but also possess sports science laboratories, psychology experts, and advanced digital analysis technology – things Vietnamese shooting still lacks. Against that backdrop, the Vietnam Shooting Federation has introduced an attractive bonus policy: 200 million VND for each Gold Medal, 100 million VND for Silver, and 50 million VND for Bronze at the 2026 ASIAD. This is a positive move to boost the athletes' morale, and it shows the Federation's commitment to investing in the spearhead of sport. But does the bonus alone suffice to close the gap in professional quality? The answer lies in how we look at the issue. A critical viewpoint is that prize money cannot replace systematic investment in expertise and facilities. In reality, the strongest teams in Asia do not win because they have more prize money, but because they have a synchronized youth training system, scientific nutrition and training regimes, and extensive international competition experience. Conversely, if we only focus on bonuses without improving the development foundation, Vietnamese shooting could fall into a vicious cycle: success relying on individual talent, then declining when that generation of athletes passes. However, looking from a realistic perspective, the bonus policy is still important in creating spiritual motivation. Shooters themselves are people who need psychological stability and recognition. That prize money is not just a material reward but also a symbol of society's appreciation for their quiet dedication. It helps shooters feel more confident when facing pressure from the stands and fierce competition at the continental arena. Speaking of rivals, China always remains the number one force with an elite athlete selection system and unlimited state investment. South Korea and Japan are also not far behind, boasting developed sports industries and modern coaching technology. India is rising strongly thanks to massive private sector investment in Olympic sports. Kazakhstan – with its physical advantages – is always a formidable opponent in rifle events. Meanwhile, Vietnamese shooting still has to rely on limited state budget and thin sponsorship. That makes the achievement of 1 Gold, 1 Silver, and 1 Bronze at the 19th ASIAD even more precious and creates an invisible pressure on the athletes at the 2026 ASIAD. If we look at the current squad, Trinh Thu Vinh is certainly an irreplaceable pillar in the women's 10m air pistol event. With her stable form and competitive temperament honed in many international tournaments, she is Vietnam's number one hope for a medal. Besides, the emergence of Le Thi Mong Tuyen and Phi Thanh Thao – two young faces that recently shone at the Asian youth championships – brings a new color to the team. However, experience at an ASIAD is completely different. Pressure from the stands, competition with world-class shooters, and having to adapt to weather and terrain in Japan can easily make rookies lose focus. The important thing the Federation needs to do now is not just award bonuses but also build a proper mental training program for the athletes. Shooting is not only a technical sport but also a battle with oneself. Those seemingly simple trigger pulls actually depend heavily on the ability to stay calm, control breathing, and brush off outside pressure. A small mental mistake can cause a significant deviation in match results. From my experience following many Vietnamese sports teams at previous ASIADs, I realize that psychological preparation is often neglected compared to physical and technical training. Overlooking this factor could be a bottleneck hindering the country's shooting performance. Nevertheless, we cannot deny that Vietnamese shooting is having a golden generation that can surprise at the 2026 ASIAD. The combination of experience from veterans like Trinh Thu Vinh and the enthusiasm of the youth has created a team with depth. If the coaching staff skillfully builds suitable competition strategies – such as allocating energy reasonably between individual and team events – the chance of winning 2 to 3 medals is within reach. Especially in the 10m air pistol and 25m sport pistol events, Vietnamese shooters have frequently stood on the podium in continental-level competitions. This is a solid basis for setting clear targets. However, there is a paradox that anyone who loves Vietnamese sports can see: the success of one generation can become a burden for the next. Public expectations after the 19th ASIAD are very high, which unintentionally places tremendous pressure on the athletes. In shooting – where focus is a matter of life and death – psychological pressure can easily translate into trembling hands, ruining critical shots. Can the managers be sophisticated enough to reduce the psychological load on the shooters, or inadvertently increase it by constantly reminding them of past achievements? That is a big question that we can only answer after the 2026 ASIAD concludes. We should also recognize that even if Vietnamese shooting cannot repeat the 3-medal achievement at the 19th ASIAD, the thorough preparation and determination of the whole team are still positive signals for the development of this sport. Instead of merely criticizing the results, we should appreciate the unceasing efforts of the Federation to bring shooting to a new level. The bonus policy can be seen as a bold step to prove the state's regard for high-performance sports, although the reward level is still modest compared to the regional average. Looking further ahead, the 2026 ASIAD is not only a playground to win medals but also an opportunity to accumulate experience for the young athletes. Le Thi Mong Tuyen, Phi Thanh Thao, and their teammates will have the chance to compete with top shooters in Asia, thereby understanding more about international standards and the weaknesses to overcome. If they are provided with proper training over the next four years, they can well become pillars of Vietnamese shooting at the 2030 ASIAD. The succession of generations is the foundation to create a sustainable shooting force, rather than merely depending on a few outstanding individuals. From a tactical angle, in team events, assigning roles and building synergy among the shooters is extremely important. Team shooting is not just the sum of three individuals' scores but also requires coordination in terms of time, pace, and mutual mental support. If the Vietnamese team can overcome the limitations shown in previous ASIADs – where members often competed independently, lacking cohesion – then the overall performance could be notably improved. I have seen many teams strong in expertise but failing under their own pressure in finals. Vietnamese shooting needs to draw lessons from that to build a truly mentally solid collective. Finally, the most important thing is that each athlete must realize that they represent the national flag. National pride is the greatest motivation, surpassing any monetary reward. When raising the Vietnamese flag on the international arena, each medal will be the most resounding answer to doubts about the capability of the country's sports. The 2026 ASIAD is the stage for Vietnamese shooters to prove that, with passion and dedication, they can stand side by side with the leading sports powers in the continent. As for the fans, prepare for thrilling shooting duels in autumn 2026 in Japan. Whatever the results, every moment the Vietnamese shooters step onto the range is a proud moment. Because behind every bullet are sweat, silent sacrifices of the athletes and sports officials. Let us trust that Vietnamese shooting is on the right track and will go even further.