Tran Thi Thanh Thuy has made history as the Vietnamese volleyball player with the most international stints, becoming a trailblazer for the sport in Vietnam.

After concluding her contract with Japan's PFU Blue Cats, Thanh Thuy signed with Kuzeyboru Volleyball Club in Turkey. She was officially listed as one of 14 key players representing the team in the Turkish Women's Volleyball League.

However, in November 2024, Thanh Thuy and Kuzeyboru mutually decided to part ways due to her injury. This development was regrettable, as it interrupted her opportunity for further growth at an elite level.

Following her departure, Thanh Thuy opted not to compete domestically but continued her international career. Her next stop was Indonesia, where she joined Gresik Petrokimia Pupuk, a team competing in the Indonesian Proliga, the nation’s premier volleyball championship.

This marked Thanh Thuy’s sixth international stint, solidifying her position as the Vietnamese volleyball player with the most overseas experience. At Gresik Petrokimia Pupuk, she is the eldest player on the team, alongside libero Ayu Salsabila, with the majority of her teammates being born after 2000.

The 2025 Proliga, which runs from January to May, features prominent clubs such as Jakarta Electric PLN, Jakarta Popsivo Polwan, Jakarta Pertamina Enduro, Gresik Petrokimia Pupuk, Bandung Bank bjb Tandamata, Jakarta Livin Mandiri, and Yogyakarta Falcons.

Proliga is the highest-paying volleyball league in Southeast Asia and ranks among the top five in Asia. On average, players in this league earn around 135 million Rupiah per month (approximately 213 million VND or about $8,700 USD). While this is not the highest salary Thanh Thuy has earned abroad, her talent and influence ensure that she commands a significantly higher income than her peers in domestic competitions.

On January 5, Thanh Thuy marked a significant milestone in her career by making her debut in Gresik Petrokimia’s starting lineup in their opening match against Jakarta Pertamina. The team claimed a commanding 3-0 victory (25-20, 25-23, 25-20), with Thanh Thuy playing a pivotal role in securing crucial points.

In 2025, the Vietnamese women’s volleyball team will continue to pursue international competitions, with Thanh Thuy as one of the core players in coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet’s plans.

Competing regularly in Indonesia provides Thanh Thuy with opportunities to face opponents of higher skill levels, enhancing her experience and resilience on the court.

This not only advances her professional career but also strengthens Vietnam’s women’s volleyball team as they prepare for the 2025 World Cup.

“Thanh Thuy playing overseas brings significant benefits to our national women’s volleyball team,” said coach Nguyen Tuan Kiet.

“However, for Vietnam to truly progress and compete at the World Cup level, we need more players like Thanh Thuy gaining international experience.”

Dai Nam