Vietnam's sports delegation has concluded its participation in the 2026 Asian Games (ASIAD) in Japan, finishing with a total of three gold medals, three silver medals, and 19 bronze medals. This result placed Vietnam 20th in the overall medal standings, a slight improvement from the previous ASIAD held in China, where the country ranked 21st but secured five silver medals.

In Southeast Asia, Vietnam ranked fifth, while Thailand led the region, finishing seventh overall with 18 golds, 13 silvers, and 21 bronzes. Following Thailand were Malaysia in 11th place, Indonesia in 16th, the Philippines in 17th, and Singapore in 21st.

The Vietnamese delegation aimed for four gold medals but fell short, with several Olympic events yielding no medals. Notably, the karate team successfully defended their gold in women's kata, and the women's four-player shuttlecock team also exceeded expectations by winning gold, ending a 20-year drought in this category.

However, the shooting team could not retain their gold in the men's 10m air pistol event, previously won by Pham Quang Huy. The team managed to secure a bronze in the women's team event, but individual performances were disappointing, with athletes failing to qualify for finals despite breaking records.

Other sports such as athletics, rowing, esports, and taekwondo did not meet their gold medal targets. Esports, which received significant investment, was notably excluded from future ASIAD events, with the Asian Olympic Council deciding to hold a separate tournament instead.

Despite the challenges, there were highlights, including Nguyen Thi Tam's silver medal in women's boxing, marking a significant achievement for Vietnamese boxing. However, many Olympic sports, such as swimming and gymnastics, ended without medals, reflecting a need for strategic focus on competitive events.

Overall, Vietnam has maintained a consistent performance at ASIAD since its first participation in 1982, averaging between 25 to 30 medals in recent editions. The delegation's leader, Nguyen Hong Minh, emphasized the ongoing struggle to balance competitiveness at the SEA Games and the ASIAD, highlighting the need for targeted investment in Olympic sports to enhance Vietnam's standing on the Asian and world stages.

As the ASIAD 2026 concluded, China emerged as the dominant force, securing 169 gold medals, followed by Japan and South Korea. The event showcased emerging talents and set the stage for future competitions.