Vietnam make Asia volleyball championship's top 4

Australia lost all three sets at Nakhon Ratchasima Stadium in Thailand. Vietnam claimed an early win in all three sets to finish the match in one hour.

Hosts Thailand also beat South Korea to join Vietnam in the semifinals.

Vietnam celebrate their victory over Australia at the Asia Volleyball Championship, Sept. 3. 2023. Photo by AVC

After 20 previous editions, China have the most titles with 13, followed by Japan (five) and Thailand (two).

Vietnam joined the tournament 10 times before and their best result was fifth place in 2017 and 2019.

Vietnam's female volleyball team have had a memorable year. In June, they came from unranked to 49th on the world ranking after winning their first Asian title, the 2023 Asian Women’s Volleyball Challenge Cup (AVC Challenge Cup) in Indonesia.

They went undefeated in six games, including five 3-0 victories.

In September 2022, Vietnam were removed from the ranking of the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB) for failing to compete in international tournaments.

Vietnam are now ranked sixth in Asia, after China, Japan, Thailand, South Korea and Kazakhstan.