Only four teams took part in the women's section of the Asian Team Championship in Esfahan. The competition seemed to be tough. Top three teams (Vietnam, India and Iran "A" respectively) were expected to fight hard for podium positions. Iran "B" were rated 300 points lower than the rest and nobody believed they would put up resistance. Vietnam had two WGMs in the squad and India and Iran "A" had one each. Of course Koneru Humpy, best Indian player did not participate. Because of limited number of teams the competition was a six round double round robin. China, three time gold medal winners, were big absentees.

India and Vietnam drew in the opening match of the Championship. Iran "A" beat their reserve team 2-1. On day two India beat Iran "A" 2½-½ and Vietnam only halved vs Iran "B". On the next day Vietnam conceded third consecutive draw and India sensationally lost to Iran "B" 2-1. Only Swathi won at board #2 and Mohota and Gokhale lost badly. It was all very close in the halfway: India 5; Iran "B" and Vietnam 4½; Iran "A" 4.

The revenge round started with yet another set of two match draws (Vietnam vs India and Iran "A" vs Iran "B"). Round five was decisive about the final results and was the only day where no surprising or sensational results were seen. Vietnam woke up and whipped Iran "B" 3-0 while India denied Iran "A" with a thumping 2½-½ victory. With last round to go standings were: India and Vietnam 9; Iran "A" and Iran "B" 6. India were hoping to win the title as they battled out Iran "B" on the last day and Vietnam played Iran "A". But it was to be sensational all time long. The Indian ladies lost their nerves and were defeated by 2½-½ (already losing 2-0). The Vietnamese did not do much better and hardly cruised to a 1½-1½ draw vs Iran "A" but this was enough for gold. India came second and Iran "B" took bronze medals.

Vietnam won their first ever women's Asian Team Championship (but remember, China did not arrive) with only a single match victory and five draws! WGM Nguyễn Thị Thanh An scored 4½/6 at top board and won prize for best individual result. India scored only 9½/18 and none of the players performed better than 60%. Iran "B" were the surprise of the event. Mahini Mona Salman scored 4½/6 at board #2 and won the prize for best individual result. Reserve player Ghazal Hakimifard also showed good skills and won both games vs high rated Indian players. Iran "A" were a bit disappointing given they had by far better ratings than Iran "B".