Vietnam Hosts Major National Club Pickleball Championship
Vietnam's Rise in Pickleball
Vietnam has established itself as a vibrant center for pickleball, regularly hosting high-caliber tournaments and nurturing elite players. Recently, the country welcomed nearly 700 participants for the 2026 National Club Pickleball Championship held in Long Bien, Hanoi.
This significant event, which wrapped up on May 24, showcased intense competition among both professional and amateur athletes, reinforcing Vietnam's status as a leading hub for the sport in Asia. A total of 683 competitors from 89 clubs participated, illustrating the rapid growth of pickleball in the nation over recent years.
The championship featured 16 events across various age groups and skill levels, with enthusiastic crowds filling the courts, highlighting the sport's increasing popularity. Amateur competitions catered to players under 35, those aged 36 to 45, and participants over 45, while the professional segment included five major events: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles.
The final day attracted considerable attention, particularly during the advanced doubles finals. In the women's advanced doubles final, Sophia Huynh Tran Ngoc Nhi and Tran Phuong Anh triumphed over Do Phuong Loan and Tran Minh Phuong Thao to secure the gold medal, demonstrating remarkable composure in critical moments.
In the men's advanced doubles, Do Minh Quan and Truong Vinh Hieu claimed victory against Phan Van Phuc and Tran Ngoc Trieu in a thrilling final. Minh Quan later added to his accolades by teaming up with Tran Phuong Anh to win the advanced mixed doubles championship.
In singles, Pham Xuan Vu took home the men’s advanced singles title, while Sophia Huynh Tran Ngoc Nhi capped off her impressive performance by winning the women’s advanced singles title as well. The high level of participation at the National Club Championship underscores Vietnam’s growing prominence in the Asian pickleball scene, with a robust mix of established professionals and an expanding grassroots movement, transforming local tournaments into significant sporting events.