Female players compete in two contrasting events, hot girls vie at 'Vietnam Billiards World Cup'

Rarely has a domestic billiards tournament made the Ho Chi Minh City stands so crowded in the first days of September. The HBSF Billiards Tour 2 – Cup MIN Table is taking place with nearly 310 players competing in four events, and the wave of fans coming to watch women's matches has been especially large. Many jokingly call this the “Vietnam Billiards World Cup” because of its passionate atmosphere and the concentration of domestic stars, although it is actually a stop in the system of the Ho Chi Minh City Billiards & Snooker Federation. What makes this edition different is not just the number of players, but also the fact that female players are receiving more attention through both professional stories and public image. Alongside established names, the organizers have created conditions for young players to make their first appearance on a big stage. Notably, the fact that some female players have registered to compete across both 3-cushion carom and pool within the same tournament is becoming a hot topic among experts, because the two disciplines require almost opposite techniques, thinking and feel for the ball. Speaking of the leading candidate in the women's 3-cushion carom event, Nguyễn Đức Yến Sinh cannot be ignored. The reigning Asian champion, who is also the reigning national champion, had an ideal start by beating Mỹ Duyên 25-9. That quick victory in the opening round shows she is in very high form and ready for a bigger goal ahead. Right after the tournament in Ho Chi Minh City ends, Nguyễn Đức Yến Sinh, together with Nguyễn Thị Liên and Nguyễn Thị Bích Trâm, will leave for France to compete in the World Women's Championship. Therefore, each match in this tournament is seen as a perfect warm-up for them to test their sharpness before the international arena. Alongside the experienced seniors, a fresh breeze named Huỳnh Hoa has also attracted considerable attention. The player born in 2026, coming from Cần Thơ, is competing in a large-scale tournament for the first time but has performed with great confidence. In her opening match, she lost narrowly to Lê Thị Ngọc Huệ, a player who has won SEA Games medals. Despite the defeat, Huỳnh Hoa's performance is seen by observers as a sign that the next generation of Vietnamese women's billiards is improving rapidly. With her determined spirit, she says she will return more strongly at the next HBSF Tour stops. The most eye-catching highlight of the tournament, however, belongs to Bùi Xuân Vàng, the reigning national women's pool champion. Her decision to compete in both 3-cushion carom and pool in the same event surprised many, because the habits of hitting, movement and tactics in the two disciplines are completely different. In her Group C carom match, Bùi Xuân Vàng had to work very hard to win 22-21 against Nguyễn Thị Thu. The scoreline, which stayed tight until the final points, showed that her carom feel is not yet smooth, but her composure in decisive situations is praiseworthy. Immediately after, she will enter a decisive match for first place in the group against Nguyễn Ngọc Phương Anh and will continue to compete in pool on the same day. This is considered a big test of physical strength and mentality for a player who is aiming to defend her national women's pool title. From a technical standpoint, competing in two opposite disciplines within a short period carries many risks. 3-cushion carom requires players to calculate the path of the cue ball after hitting at least three cushions, a type of thinking that is almost purely geometrical. Meanwhile, pool requires decisiveness, fine feel for power and quick tactical handling. When constantly switching between these two technical systems, the risk of losing cue-ball feel and altering stroke rhythm is very high. Therefore, Bùi Xuân Vàng's 22-21 victory in carom can be seen as a positive sign of adaptability, although experts still believe she should focus primarily on her pool specialty. One notable drawback concerning the tournament's brand this year is the absence of Dương Quốc Hoàng, currently considered Vietnam's best male player. Without “Hoàng Sao”, the media appeal of the men's event has dropped significantly, but the performance of the female players is creating a new wave of media attention. Images of young women who are both beautiful and talented appear everywhere on sports forums, helping billiards reach a younger and broader audience. However, professionals also ask whether this attention is sustainable or just a temporary effect. Looking at the schedule, it is clear that the organizers calculated carefully to allow female players to travel to France in time. The women's carom event will end on September 11, just before the World Women's Championship begins. This shows that the tournament is not only of domestic significance but also serves as a strategic springboard for the national team. In fact, the sending of at least four female players to compete internationally after this tournament is the clearest proof of the Federation's methodical investment in bringing Vietnamese women's billiards to the regional and world level. The success of this year's event also lies in creating a diverse playground where professional and semi-professional players can gain experience. With four different events and nearly 310 players, they will have to go through fierce group-stage competition before entering the knockout rounds. Tight scores such as 22-21 and 25-9 show that the level of female players is getting closer to international standards. If this momentum continues, the “Vietnam Billiards World Cup” can genuinely become a proud sports brand for Ho Chi Minh City and Vietnam. The open question is whether the girls nicknamed “hot girls” can turn their courtside fame into real titles at continental and world level.