The decision was made during an emergency meeting on Sept. 11, barring Hong from the second phase of the 2025 National Championship and any tournaments under VFV’s system.

At the U21 World Championship, Hong was ruled ineligible by FIVB, leading to Vietnam forfeiting three matches 0-3 against Serbia, Canada and Indonesia. The penalties cost Vietnam a place in the knockout round, with the team finishing 19th overall.

The FIVB sanction applies across all member federations, leaving Hong’s future uncertain. The VFV said it has filed two appeals but has not received a response. General Secretary Le Tri Truong insisted Vietnam submitted complete documentation and did not commit fraud or falsify records.

Looking ahead, VFV said it will begin gender verification testing from 2026 in cases of suspected irregularities. Female national team players may be required to undergo SRY gene analysis before competing internationally.

Hong, 19, is of Dao ethnicity from a remote village in Bac Kan. Despite her modest height, she earned recognition for her explosive jumping, powerful spikes and agility. She debuted on loan for Kinh Bac Bac Ninh in 2022, later joined Ninh Binh, and was called up to the U20 national team. She helped Vietnam secure a historic fifth-place finish at the 2024 Asian U20 Championship, qualifying for the U21 World Championship for the first time.

Before her suspension on Aug. 12, her birthday, Hong had impressed in Indonesia, scoring 83 points in four group-stage matches, the highest tally at the time.