Hoang said that being announced as the winner in the Men’s Physique Open Class D category at the NPC Worldwide Global Classic Vietnam Naturals 2026 not only marked a glorious milestone in his bodybuilding career. Backstage, Hoang quickly shed the pressure of competition, knelt before his girlfriend, Pham Thi Quynh Trang, to give her the engagement ring he had prepared for over a year.
Trang happily showed off her engagement ring alongside Hoang and their glorious gold medal, marking a fulfilling milestone after 7 years of dating.
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT
According to Hoang, Trang’s nod and tearful expression of emotion became the most fitting “medal” after seven years of their youth spent together.
A 7-year relationship
Both Hoang and Trang are former students of the National Economics University. Their relationship began during a military training trip as students. Their feelings blossomed from the beautiful experiences on campus, and the couple spent seven years of their youth together, facing many challenges.
Hoang said that after graduating from university, he decided to change direction and pursue a career in professional bodybuilding and coaching. Meanwhile, Trang passed her exams and became a flight attendant for Vietnam Airlines. Despite their completely opposite work schedules, with Trang frequently having busy flights and Hoang devoting himself to the gym, they always choose to listen to and support each other.
Right in the backstage area of the tournament, Hoang knelt down and presented his girlfriend with the engagement ring he had prepared.
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT
According to Trang, the period when he was cutting weight for competition was the most psychologically sensitive time. Having to meticulously prepare meals, down to the gram of rice and meat, according to the strict plan initially devised by Hoang’s coach, was challenging for her. However, seeing her boyfriend’s seriousness and big dream, Trang patiently supported him, personally taking care of each meal to help Hoang achieve the best physical condition.
“Hoang is a person with clear goals and incredible determination. Although he can sometimes be a little stubborn with his personal plans, I always appreciate his efforts and sense of responsibility,” Trang shared.
The courage to reach for a bodybuilding medal.
Few people know that Hoang’s current muscular physique stems from a rather unusual past. Hoang says he was born 40 days premature, had a weak constitution from a young age, was frequently ill, and was easily bullied by his peers. His initial motivation for going to the gym was simply to improve his health and protect himself. His passion for professional competition truly ignited when he followed the journeys of senior athletes on social media in 2018.
To conquer the major tournament, Hoang underwent a rigorous 16-week weight-loss program, training twice a day in conjunction with a team of doctors and medical professionals to monitor his body composition.
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT
Hoang said his journey to achieving his dream wasn’t all rosy. In 2021, the first tournament he registered for was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. At the age of 21, when he first stepped onto the NABBA WFF stage, Hoang said he achieved great success, winning all three colors of medals, including a gold medal in the Junior Men’s Physique category. However, at the end of 2022, a failure to reach the top 5 in the GOT (God of Tournament) Vietnam Naturals Pro Qualifier, along with mounting financial and work pressures, pushed Hoang into a period of mild depression.
“I had to turn back and ask myself why I started and the person I wanted to become. It took me three years to overcome the psychological crisis before I could confidently return to the big stage,” Hoang shared.
Hoang’s radiant smile on stage after brilliantly winning the gold medal.
PHOTO: PROVIDED BY THE SUBJECT
In preparation for the NPC Worldwide Global Classic Vietnam Naturals 2026, Hoang said he spent over a year preparing physically and underwent an extremely rigorous 16-week weight-cutting program. His biggest challenge wasn’t just the high intensity of his workouts, with two heavy training sessions per day combined with maintaining 20,000 steps, but also balancing the enormous workload of being a coach.
“I apply scientific methods, work closely with the medical team, and continuously monitor my body’s reactions and fat levels to maintain optimal performance,” Hoang shared.
That persistent effort not only brought Hoang the prestigious gold medal but also gave him the confidence to realize his lifelong dream.
Hoang added that the idea of proposing to Trang had been secretly nurtured for over a year, with meticulous preparation from finances to obtaining permission from both families. The kneeling and ring-giving moment backstage at the tournament was not only a sweet reward for their 7 years together but also the beginning of big plans for the future. The couple plans to hold an engagement ceremony this year and discuss with their families to choose a suitable time for the wedding.
In terms of his career, this gold medal at the large-scale Southeast Asian natural bodybuilding competition is a stepping stone for Hoang towards the world championship for natural bodybuilders.
