Vietnamese Quartet Eager for AAC Examination

Hanoi, Vietnam: Nguyen Anh Minh will spearhead a strong four-man Vietnamese contingent at the 17th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC).

Joining 19-year-old Anh Minh in the starting line-up at Te Arai Links’ South Course in New Zealand from October 29-November 1 will be Nguyen Tuan Anh, Nguyen Van Hoa and Ho Anh Huy.

Launched in 2009 by the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation (APGC), The R&A and the Masters Tournament to further develop amateur golf in the region, this year’s AAC winner will receive an invitation to the 2027 Masters Tournament and an exemption into The 155th Open.

The best performance by a Vietnamese player in the championship’s history was a tied fifth finish in Dubai last year by Le Khanh Hung, followed by Anh Minh’s tied seventh in Melbourne in 2023.

The quartet will head to New Zealand with the desire to challenge for the AAC title at Te Arai Links, a stunning links-style venue which consistently ranks in the top 100 courses in the world and features 16 holes looking directly at the Pacific Ocean.

In recent years, Anh Minh, currently 30th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking (WAGR), has established himself as one of the game’s rising stars, winning consistently at home and around the region before stamping his mark internationally with a first top-10 finish at the AAC in Australia.

After playing a starring role in Vietnam’s historic maiden victory in the 2024 Asia-Pacific Men’s Amateur Team Championship for the Nomura Cup, Anh Minh enjoyed more accolades in 2025, finishing runner-up in the US Junior Amateur. He was the first finalist from Vietnam in a USGA event.

During his freshman year at Oregon State University, he won his first NCAA Division 1 title at the 2026 Bandon Dunes Collegiate. He recently joined Arizona State University, the same college team as Thai Pongsapak ‘Fifa’ Laopakdee, the reigning AAC winner who will defend his title in New Zealand next month.

Ho Anh Huy, 16, is excited at the prospect of making his AAC debut.

“What the AAC has done for amateur golf in the region has been fantastic. The opportunity for us young players to experience such a professional-like and well-run event is an experience that will only help prepare us for the future,” said Anh Huy, who was part of the winning 2024 Nomura Cup team alongside Ahn Minh and Le Khanh Hung, who is unavailable to participate at this year’s AAC due to college commitments in America.

“I’ve been watching the AAC for quite a few years now. It’s always a pleasure to watch the region’s best battle it out, but also it’s been great to see my Vietnamese team-mates do so well and be in contention over the years. Although the exemptions (to the Masters and The Open) and the win are undeniably at the forefront of the championship, I will take it one step at a time. It would be a dream if I can accomplish a childhood goal of playing in a major, especially to represent Vietnam, as well.”

At age 15, Nguyen Van Hoa is the youngest member in the Vietnamese squad, and is keen to absorb the experience of competing against the region’s finest amateur golfers in his hope to one day challenge for the AAC title.

Van Hoa, who has won three junior titles at home this year and joined forces with Tuan Anh and Anh Huy is Vietnam’s 2026 Nomura Cup team in Beijing, said: “Competing in the AAC has been one of my dreams. I feel very happy and excited to have the opportunity to compete in such a prestigious tournament. I have many hopes and goals. But most importantly, I want to perform at my very best and hopefully bring pride and glory to my country.

“Having the opportunity to compete in the AAC is a great honour for young golfers. I believe the AAC can have a huge impact in inspiring young golfers to work harder, improve themselves and pursue higher levels of the game.

“The AAC gives the champion the incredible opportunity to earn exemptions into The Masters Tournament and The Open. Winning is certainly a goal and a dream of mine, but I will approach this important tournament by focusing on my daily practice, giving my best effort, and believing in myself every step of the way. My goal is always to compete for the win.”