Chi Nguyen: A journey through sport and life

“There’s a saying I love: when starting a business, we typically begin at the intersection of two points—pain and passion. But if the pain point is stronger, the drive to sustain the business is also greater. The challenges of Vietnamese sport stem from infrastructure, training systems, education, and many other factors. I struggled with these issues from my very first job, but back then, I lacked the experience to understand the root causes. I always knew I wanted to do things differently. That realisation came from something deep within me,” Chi reflects.

Today, the federation is recruiting athletes who excel in one of the three triathlon disciplines, training them in the remaining areas to prepare for competition. According to Chi, Vietnam’s biggest shortcoming in high-performance sports is the lack of a strong foundation in school-based physical education. She hopes to contribute to shifting perceptions in this area.

This journey requires deep expertise and experience, which is why Chi will soon begin a sports management course in the UK at a university renowned for its Olympic achievements. “I’m fortunate not to be alone in this. I have incredible mentors and colleagues who support me. By the time the federation was officially established, we had already organised two successful tournaments, both of which received excellent reviews,” she says with pride.

Beyond her work with the Triathlon Federation, Chi has spent the past decade involved with two organisations: Newborns Vietnam, which focuses on reducing infant mortality in Southeast Asia, and Vietseeds, which provides equal access to higher education in Vietnam. “The federation is a hybrid of a social enterprise and a startup. I chose these two organisations because they also focus on youth—newborns and university students—both of whom face struggles similar to those of aspiring athletes. I have no plans to have children, so instead, I contribute by supporting children born with disadvantages and young people facing difficulties at the start of their academic journey,” she says.

“The roles of women in both family and society extend beyond traditional expectations of femininity. Many assume that women must fit predefined models, failing to appreciate those who choose a different path. As a mother, loving your child—or any child—is instinctive. But for those who choose to be child-free, dedicating themselves to the next generation through meaningful action is a deliberate and conscious effort, requiring immense self-awareness and resilience.

“There are countless stereotypes surrounding femininity and gender. For a time, I was frustrated by these labels and fought to prove them wrong. Instead of acknowledging differing perspectives with patience and understanding, I tried to push back, rigidly defining what was right and wrong. It drained my energy until I realised that these debates are never-ending. The world will always argue over binaries: male/female, right/wrong… Instead of trying to prove a point, it’s better to quietly focus on meaningful work. I no longer question myself simply because my choices don’t align with the majority.”

For Chi, sport is about far more than fitness or recreation. “Through training, I have learned to be more conscious of my choices and to say no more often. To truly understand the essence of sport—to connect with its core—you need a certain level of stillness. The challenge is resisting trends. The world is obsessed with FOMO, but for me, it’s all about JOMO—the Joy of Missing Out—and I embrace it.”

Originally published in the print edition of Tatler Vietnam, October 2024 – Family & Legacy

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