Cover Chau Tuyet Van is not only the ‘Taekwondo beauty queen’ of Vietnamese sports but also a symbol of Vietnamese resilience on the international stage.
Chau Tuyet Van is not only the ‘Taekwondo beauty queen’ of Vietnamese sports but also a symbol of Vietnamese resilience on the international stage.
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The perseverance, sportsmanship, and sheer determination of a petite Taekwondo athlete of extraordinary strength.
Chau Tuyet Van first stepped onto the Taekwondo mat at the age of seven. Gifted with innate talent, she soon earned the title of Vietnam’s ‘golden girl of Taekwondo’. Since claiming her first World Championship gold in 2010, she has continued to dominate, triumphing at one tournament after another. With an unbroken record of six consecutive gold medals at the Southeast Asian Games from 2013 to 2023, she has firmly established herself as a force to be reckoned with. Yet for Chau Tuyet Van, Taekwondo is not just a sport—it is a mentor, one that has instilled in her invaluable life lessons.
See Asia's Most Influential profile of athlete Chau Tuyet Van here.
Your journey has spanned nearly three decades. Now, as you transition from competitor to coach, how are you navigating this new chapter?
To be honest, I’m under a lot of pressure. Having been an athlete for so many years, I still have a deep desire to compete. I question whether I can perform as well in my new role, whether I will be able to train exceptional athletes, and whether I will be accepted in this new position. These thoughts keep me up at night. But I understand that this is a journey, and as long as I take steady steps forward, I will succeed.
Is this confidence and resilience in the face of challenges something you have gained from Taekwondo?
Absolutely. After 27 years of training, Taekwondo has taught me perseverance, patience, and self-belief. There were moments of doubt, but once I stepped onto the mat, I became someone else entirely. There were things I never imagined I could do, but in the end, confidence carried me through—and, perhaps, brought me a little luck.
Above Chau Tuyet Van discovered Taekwondo by chance—but it has taken her farther than she ever expected.
Chau Tuyet Van discovered Taekwondo by chance—but it has taken her farther than she ever expected.
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What sacrifices have you made for Taekwondo? And in return, which achievements feel most worthy of those trade-offs?
I feel I have always given my best at every stage. In 2019, at the height of the pandemic, I spent my mornings working as a youth volunteer and my afternoons in the dojo. Since I had more freedom to move around than my peers, I was able to train at the studio rather than at home. Sometimes, I practised for hours, skipping meals, forgetting to drink water, even sleeping in the training room so that I could wake up and go straight to my volunteer work the next day. When I look back, I wonder where I found the motivation to keep going for months on end.
But in return, Taekwondo has given me unforgettable moments. It has taken me to places I never dreamed of visiting—Greece, Arabia… I still remember my first world tournament in Uzbekistan, when members of the Consulate and overseas Vietnamese gathered in the stadium to cheer for me. Their voices echoed through the arena, their support unwavering. That kind of respect and encouragement is something I will never forget.
It seems that Taekwondo has become more than just a sport in your life.
It is both my profession and my daily ritual. I need to go to the gym each day to feel at ease—to complete the day, in a sense. When I am too busy to train, I feel restless and unsettled. I would rather be exhausted from working out than frustrated by not being able to train.
Above Taekwondo is more than just a sport to Chau Tuyet Van—it is a way of life.
Taekwondo is more than just a sport to Chau Tuyet Van—it is a way of life.
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As an athlete, I always train myself to have a strong will and discipline.
Taekwondo is such an integral part of your life. Do you feel a difference between training and competing on the international stage?
Training is routine, almost second nature. There are days when I arrive at the gym completely drained—I might even lie down to rest for a moment—but stepping onto the competition floor is entirely different. Those are the moments of glory, when I know I am wearing my national team jersey and representing my country. Just the thought of that, even without considering medals or achievements, fills me with pride.
One of my greatest moments so far was winning my sixth gold medal at the SEA Games in Cambodia. It was an incredibly intense match. Due to a timing error, the gold medal was first awarded, then revoked. We had to appeal to the judges, and only after their reconsideration was the official medal reinstated. Many fellow Vietnamese athletes had come to support us that day. When I heard the final decision, I was completely overwhelmed—I broke down in tears. I had to hide from the reporters’ cameras just to cry in peace. It was a nerve-wracking but exhilarating victory, one that thrilled everyone who witnessed it.
When you first began practising Taekwondo, did you ever imagine you would achieve what you have today? What motivated you to stay with the sport for so long?
Never. When my father enrolled me in martial arts classes, it was simply to make me healthier, to help me put on weight. But somewhere along the way, I became passionate about it. I loved training, loved competing—it became something I couldn’t give up. Back then, my monthly ‘salary’ was VND50,000. For a child, that felt like a fortune—not just in monetary value, but in motivation. It pushed me to keep going, from district-level competitions to city tournaments and eventually the national stage. Everywhere I went, I won gold medals.
I have always been persistent. Once I set my sights on something, I commit to it fully. Giving up was never an option, no matter how tired or challenged I felt. I always told myself, ‘I have come this far—I cannot stop now.’ Perhaps that perseverance is what led me to where I am today.
Have you ever considered stopping when the obstacles ahead seemed too great?
There were two moments when I truly questioned whether I could carry on. The first was in my final year of secondary school, when I had to balance training for the national team with preparing for my graduation exams. The intense schedule left me utterly drained. Seeing my exhaustion, my mother said, ‘If it’s too much, you should stop training.’ She didn’t mean it harshly—she was simply worried about me—but at that moment, I felt like she didn’t believe in me. That single sentence became a defining motivation for me. From that day on, every time I faced a challenge, I reminded myself of those words and pushed forward, from the national team to where I am now.
The second time I felt uncertain was during the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia. I was plagued with doubt. After already winning five gold medals, I questioned whether I could do it again—especially in a year when every country had made significant investments in Taekwondo. I considered stepping away, choosing a different path, but then I told myself: I might retire after this competition, but not now—not yet. So I stepped onto the mat, competed, and won another gold medal for my country.
Above "Taekwondo taught me perseverance and endurance in all circumstances."
"Taekwondo taught me perseverance and endurance in all circumstances."
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Over such a long journey, filled with turning points, you must have encountered criticism—such as the lingering prejudices against women in martial arts. How did you overcome them?
When you commit to professional sports, appearance becomes secondary. What truly matters is how an athlete trains, the sacrifices they make, and what they deliver in the moments that count, bringing pride to the nation. I believe people should focus on those aspects rather than passing judgment on how athletes look. In Taekwondo, we must build muscle to perform and compete—it’s an inherent part of the discipline. I see strength as a different kind of beauty, distinct from conventional ideals of slenderness. Even now, I remain confident in my physique—lean yet strong, an athlete both inside and out.
Competitive sports undoubtedly shape your character. Taekwondo taught me resilience and endurance in all situations. There were days when my entire body ached, yet, as an athlete, I had to push through and continue training. It was a constant test of willpower. I remember my first SEA Games gold medal in 2013—overnight, I became known as the ‘martial arts beauty queen.’ At first, I felt immense pressure. Winning the championship was difficult, but maintaining that title was even harder. I had to stay focused, to keep pushing myself. After each victory, I trained even more rigorously. Beyond that, I loved the atmosphere of competition—the energy on the field, the cheers and encouragement of my teammates. Those moments fuelled my ambition to conquer even greater tournaments.
Above Asia's Most Influential
Asia's Most Influential
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Tatler Asia’s Most Influential is a definitive list of the visionaries shaping our world today. Bringing together the region’s most innovative minds, industry leaders, and cultural pioneers, Asia’s Most Influential recognises those making a significant impact in Asia and beyond. See the full list here.
Tatler Vietnam – Nhà Tập Tinh Hoa will officially honour the individuals featured on Asia’s Most Influential Vietnam 2024 at Tatler Vietnam Launch – Enter A New Kingdom on 4 December 2024.
CREDITS
Managing Director: Hami Tran
Editor-in-Chief: Nikita Chu
Art Director: Andy Tran
Managing Editor: Sade Ho
Photographer: Vo Tran Viet Thanh
Videographer: Luan Nguyen
Producer: nakhoi
Stylist: Hasley Nguyen
Styling Assistant: KimBe
Makeup Artist: Uyen Phan
Set Designer: Lam Minh Trung
Costume: GIAN SAIGON, SPICANIST
Lighting: Nina Next Space Location: Nina Next Space
