Vietnam won its first gold medal at the fifth Asian Para Games in Aichi‑Nagoya, Japan. Swimmer Do Thanh Hai took first place in the men’s 100‑meter breaststroke SB5 event, a historic moment for the country.

Do Thanh Hai swam the race in 1:33.91, beating teammate Le Tien Dat who finished in 1:36.63. This reversed their order from the 2022 Asian Para Games, where Dat won gold and Hai took silver.

Vietnam has won four medals so far: Hai’s gold, Dat’s silver, a silver in weightlifting for Le Van Cong, and a bronze in athletics for Nguyen Thi Ngoc Thuy. The delegation has 36 members, including 21 athletes who compete in athletics, swimming, powerlifting, table tennis and badminton.

The gold medal is a notable milestone for Vietnam’s Paralympic sport, showing the nation’s growing strength in international competition. It shows how Vietnamese athletes are breaking new ground and reshaping the country’s sports story.