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By Hoang Nguyen  March 7, 2025 | 06:29 pm PT
Vietnamese opposite hitter Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen is one of 43 female athletes participating in the tryouts for the South Korean pro volleyball league, which pays player $120,000 for the first year.
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Vietnamese volleyball player Nguyen Thi Bich Tuyen. Photo by Volleyball Federation of Vietnam |
According to the Korean Volleyball Federation (KVF), Tuyen is the only Vietnamese athlete taking part in the try-out this season. The try-out is a mandatory process for foreign athletes wishing to compete in South Korea. Only those who meet the league’s professional standards are allowed to play.
This year, 100 male athletes from 19 countries and 43 female athletes from 10 countries have applied for the tryouts. Some notable names participating alongside Tuyen include Haruya Shimamura (Japan), Alyssa Solomon (Philippines), Reina Tokuko (Japan) and Tichakorn Boonlert (Thailand). Earlier, Tran Thi Thanh Thuy also applied for the tryouts in South Korea but withdrew at the last minute.
The selection for foreign players in Asia will take place online at the Mayfield Hotel on April 11, allowing players who are busy with their club or national team commitments to still participate. The selected athletes will join the clubs starting July 1, with contracts lasting until May 31, 2026, as stated by the KVF.
If successful, this will mark the first time Tuyen plays for a foreign team. In her first year in South Korea, she would earn $120,000. In her second year, her salary would increase to $150,000.
Born in 2000, Tuyen is an outstanding player for LP Bank Ninh Binh and the Vietnam women's national volleyball team. Standing at 1.92 m tall, she has an impressive jump range of 3.13 m and a block jump of 3 m.
In 2024, Tuyen earned significant recognition for her achievements. She played a pivotal role in helping the Vietnam women's volleyball team win the 2024 AVC Challenge Cup and was named outstanding athlete. She also helped her team secure third place at the FIVB Challenger Cup, where she scored the most points (77).
Tuyen and LP Bank Ninh Binh also finished as runners-up in the 2024 Asian Volleyball Club Championship, earning a ticket to the 2024 FIVB Club World Championship. With her exceptional skills, she is highly regarded as capable of meeting the high demands of the KVF.
