Vietnamese Billiards: From Street Corners to the World Map - An Unfinished Journey

The white billiard ball rolls slowly across the green cloth, stopping exactly where the player had calculated. In that single shot, the whole room seems to hold its breath. That is the moment I witnessed at a small club in District 5, Ho Chi Minh City, where young players were training with burning passion. They have no famous coaches, no modern practice rooms, but they possess something many major billiards nations envy: patience and hunger. The context of Vietnamese billiards has changed significantly in recent years. From a sport considered for the working class, billiards is gradually asserting its position on the international stage. The emergence of players like Do The Kien or Nguyen Quoc Nguyen at major tournaments has created a new wave, but the road ahead remains full of challenges. According to data I gathered from various domestic sources, Vietnam currently has about 10,000 billiards clubs nationwide, concentrated mainly in major cities. However, the number of professional players is very small, around 200. This gap shows the huge potential for development, but also reveals limitations in the training system and investment. During my observation of domestic tournaments, I noticed a special point: Vietnamese players often have excellent ball-path calculation skills, thanks to their habit of playing on uneven tables at street-side clubs. This creates an invisible advantage when they compete on international standard tables, where every detail is strictly controlled. However, they lack experience in high-pressure matches, especially in long-format games. One of the biggest problems facing Vietnamese billiards is the lack of synchronization in the tournament system. National tournaments are mostly amateur in nature, while international tournaments require a high level of skill and thorough preparation. This gap prevents many young players from gaining valuable experience, causing them to fall behind their international peers. I once witnessed a match between a young Vietnamese player and an opponent from England at a regional tournament. Our young player had better individual technique but lost due to poor emotional management. He lost focus after a missed shot, and the opponent capitalized on that to win. This is not a rare case but a systemic issue. Contrary to what many think, billiards is not just about precision and luck. It requires a combination of tactical thinking, psychological control, and endurance. In a match lasting up to 9 hours, physical fitness becomes crucial. Top players like Judd Trump or Mark Selby all have strict fitness regimes, something most Vietnamese players have not yet paid proper attention to. A bright spot recently is the interest of sponsors. Some domestic enterprises have begun investing in professional tournaments, creating a playground with more attractive prize money. This gives players more motivation to pursue a long-term career, instead of having to take other jobs to make ends meet. However, from a strategic perspective, I believe we need a more systematic approach. Instead of just focusing on organizing tournaments, we should build a youth training system from the grassroots level. Schools can include billiards in extracurricular sports programs, helping to discover and nurture talents early. At the same time, there should be links between clubs and international experts to improve coaching standards. Another issue is the lack of international tournaments hosted in Vietnam. Hosting a major event like the World Cup or the Asian Championship would not only provide experience for domestic players but also be an opportunity to promote the country's image. We have proven our ability to organize major sporting events like the SEA Games, so why not consider hosting an international billiards event? I still remember the words of a veteran in the billiards world: "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together." This applies to the entire national billiards system. If we do not unite, share experiences and resources, we will remain stuck. But if we know how to leverage our strengths, combined with international support, I believe Vietnamese billiards can rise to the top of Asia within the next 10 years. Looking at the development path of major billiards nations like China or India, I see they all went through similar difficult periods. What makes the difference is their long-term strategy and persistence. Vietnam can learn from those lessons, but must adapt them to our cultural and economic context. The biggest challenge is not how to have more talented players, but how to keep them in the sport. Financial pressure, the temptation of other jobs, and the lack of social recognition are significant barriers. There needs to be a change in perception, both from families and the community, so that billiards is seen as a respectable profession. In a conversation with a 19-year-old young player in Da Nang, he confided: "I love billiards so much, but my parents want me to go to university. I don't know how long I can pursue this passion." That story made me think a lot. We could create a scholarship fund for young talents, or build training centers that combine sports and academics, so they don't have to choose between two paths. The development of technology also opens new opportunities. Data analysis applications can help players track their training progress, analyze opponents' strengths and weaknesses. I have seen some clubs in Ho Chi Minh City starting to use sensor devices to record angles and stroke force, allowing for more precise adjustments. This is an inevitable trend we should not miss. Lessons from other sports like football show that building a strong brand is crucial. Vietnamese billiards needs a strategic approach to media, creating inspiring stories to attract public attention and investors. When a Vietnamese player stands on the podium at a world tournament, that will be the moment that changes everything. I believe we are standing at a historic threshold. With the efforts of all those who love this sport, Vietnamese billiards will not just be a passing phenomenon but will become a real force. The road is long, but every step is worth it. And as I often tell my young colleagues: "Start by reading your opponent's name, before thinking about defeating them."