She was among the first generation of renowned athletes from Vietnam, having achieved numerous victories in domestic competitions.

Nguyễn was a competitive swimmer in her youth, and later started practicing shaolinquan for a year in 1991.

The following year, she was selected by the Hanoi Department of Physical Education to join the first wushu class in Vietnam despite being married and a factory worker.

Nguyễn made her international debut at the 1993 Southeast Asian Games where she won a bronze medal in jianshu.

[3] A year later at the 2000 Asian Wushu Championships, she won gold medals in nandao and nangun as well as a silver medal in nanquan and won the all-around championship for female nanquan.