Vietnamese Carom Wave: When the Golden Generation Rewrites the World Billiards Map

Less than a decade ago, mentioning carom billiards brought to mind the greats of Belgium, the Netherlands, or Turkey. But this season, a Vietnamese name appears densely on the world rankings, making all of Europe take notice. The summer with the German coach taught me that pressing is not anger, it is a calculation. The same applies to carom: the calm before each decisive shot is not emotion but a precise calculation of the path of three balls across the table. The rise of Vietnamese carom is not an unexpected explosion. It is the result of a quiet but systematic training system, starting from small clubs in Saigon and Hanoi. What is remarkable is how Vietnamese players approach the game — they do not play by instinct but by a meticulously calculated tactical system. When I watched Tran Quyet Chien's matches at the Carom World Cup, I noticed something: he does not play with his hands, he plays with his head. Tran Quyet Chien, born in 2026 in Ho Chi Minh City, is the first Vietnamese to win a 3-cushion carom World Cup. His achievement is not just a personal milestone but a signal that Asian carom is ready to compete on equal footing with Europe. What makes Chien different is his ability to read situations — he knows when to attack, when to defend, and more importantly, he knows how to turn a dead position into a scoring opportunity. Russia 2026 taught me one thing: data does not win matches, it only wins before the ball is kicked. In carom, data about angles, stroke force, and spin is what separates a good player from a champion. Not only Tran Quyet Chien, the Vietnamese carom generation is flourishing with names like Nguyen Duc Anh Chien, Bao Phuong Vinh, and Ngo Dinh Nai. Each has their own style, but they all share one thing: they were trained in an environment that values systematic thinking. Carom clubs in Vietnam have built training programs based on video analysis and statistics — something many European countries have not done at the club level. Bao Phuong Vinh, the 2026 world 3-cushion carom champion, represents the new generation of Vietnamese carom. Born in 2026, Vinh is 12 years younger than Chien but has quickly surpassed his senior on the rankings. Vinh's strength is his ability to score consecutively — he can create long scoring runs without making mistakes. This requires intense concentration and precise cue-ball control to the millimeter. When the stadium goes silent, I hear the crack of a football system that refuses to change. In carom, I hear the crack of a European system being challenged by the rise of Asia. World carom tournaments are witnessing a shift in power — from Belgian and Dutch players to Vietnamese, Korean, and Japanese players. This is not coincidence but the result of a systematic investment in youth development. Statistics show that in the current top 20 world carom players, at least 5 come from Vietnam. Tran Quyet Chien is currently ranked 4th, Bao Phuong Vinh 6th, and Nguyen Duc Anh Chien 12th. The presence of three Vietnamese players in the top 20 is a feat — comparable in football to having three Vietnamese players on the Ballon d'Or shortlist. But the success of Vietnamese carom is not just about individual talent. It comes from a carefully built ecosystem — from sponsors, clubs, to high-quality domestic tournaments. The Vietnamese national carom championship has become one of the fiercest tournaments in Asia, with a level of competition comparable to European events. Do not ask me what the philosophy is. Ask me how many kilometers that player ran in the last fifteen minutes. Similarly, do not ask me why Vietnamese carom succeeds because of some philosophy — ask them how many hours they train each day, how many videos they have reviewed, how many matches they have analyzed. Another important factor is the support from veteran players. Tran Quyet Chien not only competes but also acts as a mentor, passing on experience to the younger generation. I witnessed how Chien sat analyzing a match with Bao Phuong Vinh — they did not talk about feelings, they talked about angles, stroke force, and how to read ball positions. This is what I call tactical culture — something passed from generation to generation, not through books but through practice. However, the rise of Vietnamese carom also poses challenges. The dense schedule between domestic and international tournaments is putting great pressure on players. Match density is the biggest culprit of injuries — no medical team can save you from two matches a week. In carom, shoulder and wrist injuries are common due to repetitive motions. Vietnamese players need to manage their schedules intelligently to avoid burnout. Another challenge is psychological pressure. When you become the pride of a nation, every match is watched by millions of eyes. This pressure can elevate or crush a player. At fifty-nine, I still believe in what I mocked at twenty: football is a game of a single moment. Carom is the same — one moment of lost focus can undo an entire match. Looking to the future, I believe Vietnamese carom will continue to grow strongly. Clubs are investing in youth training, tournaments are becoming more professional, and most importantly, carom culture is taking root in the community. I visited a carom club in Tan Binh district, Ho Chi Minh City, and I saw 10-year-old children practicing basic drills with the seriousness of professional athletes. This reminds me of my early days covering billiards in England — a time when legends like Clive Everton were shaping the sport. I do not watch matches from the stands. I count the space between two positions. In carom, I count the space between two balls — that is where victory and defeat are decided. And when I watch Vietnamese players compete, I see they understand this deeply. They do not just hit the ball — they draw paths across the table, turning each match into a tactical work of art. The transfer market does not lie. It only inflates the truth into numbers. In carom, the rankings do not lie — they accurately reflect each player's level. And the current rankings are saying very clearly: Vietnamese carom has arrived and is here to stay. Esports taught me that tactics wait for no one. It has already left football behind. But Vietnamese carom is proving that they are not just catching up — they are leading. In the context of Vietnamese sports rising on the international stage, carom is one of the most successful sports. Without the backing of a massive training system like football, without million-dollar investments like Olympic sports, Vietnamese carom still produces world champions. This is a lesson in perseverance, in doing the fundamentals right, and in trusting the process. As I end this article, I remember a quote from an old Belgian player I once interviewed: "Vietnamese people do not play carom with their hands, they play with their heart and mind." And I believe that is true. Vietnamese carom is not just a sports story — it is a story of will, of dedication, and of the aspiration to reach the world stage.