How will Vietnam's sporting achievements compare to other Southeast Asian countries at the 2024 Olympics?

The Philippines holds the number 1 position.

As of now, Vietnam has only one athlete left to compete: Nguyen Thi Huong in canoeing. Although she is one of the brightest talents in Vietnamese sports, her chances of winning a medal at the 2024 Olympics seem impossible. Therefore, the possibility of Vietnam winning at least one medal at the 2020 Olympics is likely gone. This result is similar to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021). It has been eight years since shooter Hoang Xuan Vinh brought home one gold and one silver medal at the 2016 Olympics, and the Vietnamese sports delegation has consistently gone empty-handed. Meanwhile, countries with strong sports traditions in Southeast Asia have all secured medals at the 2024 Olympics. The Philippines is leading the region's overall medal standings thanks to Carlos Yulo's two gold medals in gymnastics. Additionally, they also won two bronze medals in boxing thanks to Aira Villegas (women's 50kg) and Nesthy Petecio (women's 57kg).

Thailand also secured a gold medal thanks to taekwondo fighter Panipak Wongpattanakit in the 49kg weight class. This result was predicted beforehand, as Panipak is the world number one in this weight class. Previously, badminton prodigy Kunlavut Vitidsarn brought home Thailand's first Olympic silver medal in history. In weightlifting, Silachai Theerapong achieved a similar feat competing in the men's 61kg category. This is the same event in which Vietnam's Trinh Van Vinh failed in all three snatch attempts. Another weightlifter, Surodchana Khambao, also brought Thailand a bronze medal in the women's 49kg category. Earlier, boxer Janjaem Suwannapheng finished third in the women's 66kg category. At this point, Thailand has won a total of 5 medals at the 2024 Olympics and still has the opportunity to improve its performance in boxing and weightlifting. Malaysia has also secured two bronze medals, both in badminton. Aaron Chia and Soi Wooi Yik (men's doubles) and Lee Zii Jia (men's singles) brought glory to their country. Also in badminton, Indonesia won a bronze medal in women's singles thanks to Gregoria Mariska Tunjung. This is a rather poor result for Indonesian badminton, as from the 2004 Olympics to 2020, the only time they failed to win a gold medal was at the 2012 London Olympics. With no medals at the 2024 Olympics, Vietnam's performance is similar to that of Singapore, Cambodia, Laos, Brunei, Timor Leste, and Myanmar.

Thailand dominates at the Olympics.

Historically, Thailand is the most successful Southeast Asian nation at the Olympics. Their first medal came in 1976 with a bronze in boxing won by the late Payao Poontarat. Since then, the team has won a total of 40 medals, including 11 gold, 10 silver, and 19 bronze. Since 1984, Thailand has always returned home with at least one medal. Their most successful Olympic Games were in 2004 with three gold medals in weightlifting and boxing. Indonesia is the second most successful Southeast Asian nation at the Olympics, having won eight gold medals, all in badminton. They also have 14 silver and 16 bronze medals, bringing their total Olympic medal count to 38.

The Philippines only won its first gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics thanks to weightlifter Hidilyn Diaz. However, the team quickly rose to third place in the region after adding two more gold medals from Carlos Yulo this year. The Philippines has also won 5 silver and 10 bronze medals in its Olympic history.