Kinh te and Do thi Pickleball Cup – 2025 fuels popularity in Vietnam

The "Kinh te & Đo thi Pickleball Cup – 2025" opened today at the Cultural, Information, Sports, and Tourism Center of Cau Giay District, attracting more than 500 players, including many professional ones.

Organized by Kinh te & Do thi (Economic and Urban) Newspaper/The Hanoi Times in collaboration with the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, the Cau Giay District People's Committee, and other relevant entities, the event marks a significant milestone in the promotion of pickleball in Vietnam.

The tournament boasts an appealing prize structure and has been extensively publicized across various media platforms, including the ecosystem of Kinh te & Do thi Newspaper’s nine publications.

With over 500 athletes from provinces and cities nationwide, including numerous professional players, the competition fosters a spirit of "Solidarity - Integrity - Nobility." Participants are dedicated to giving their best performances and striving for excellence.

Beyond competition, the tournament aims to encourage sports participation, promote a healthier lifestyle, and contribute to the broader development of sports in Vietnam, particularly the expansion of pickleball.

At the opening ceremony, Associate Professor Dr. Nguyen Thanh Loi, Editor-in-Chief of the Kinh te & Do thi Newspaper and Head of the Organizing Committee, said that the "Kinh te & Đo thi Pickleball Cup – 2025" is part of a series of events celebrating the 95th anniversary of the founding of the Hanoi Party Committee. The event is designed to boost the sports movement, advance pickleball’s presence in Hanoi, and provide a platform for enthusiasts to compete, share their passion, and build social connections within the growing pickleball community.

To ensure fairness and transparency, the tournament's groupings were determined through an automated random draw system.

The competition features ten categories: Men's amateur doubles (under 40 years old, born in 1986 or later); Men's amateur doubles (over 40 years old, born in 1985 or earlier); Women's amateur doubles (under 35 years old, born in 1991 or later); Women's amateur doubles (over 35 years old, born in 1990 or earlier); Mixed amateur doubles (under 35 years old, born in 1991 or later); Mixed amateur doubles (over 35 years old, born in 1990 or earlier); Men's open doubles; Mixed open doubles; Women's open doubles; and Men's open singles.

Based on the number of registered participants and pairs, the Organizing Committee conducted a random draw to form groups. Each group's top two athletes or pairs will advance to the next round.

Winners will be awarded championship, runner-up, and joint third-place prizes across all categories. The tournament will deliver a total of 40 prizes with a combined cash value exceeding VND200 million (US$7,800), along with various valuable rewards.

Pickleball is a relatively new sport in Vietnam since its introduction in 2018 but has gained popularity in Vietnam first in expatriate communities before expanding nationwide. By early 2024, the country had around 25 self-organized clubs, though no national federation existed.

Vietnam had the world’s second-fastest pickleball growth rate in 2024, fueled by rising player numbers and market demand. This kind of sport made a milestone with the first international tournament held in March 2024. Organizations like Viet Pickleball are driving expansion through franchise models.

Combining elements of tennis, table tennis, and badminton, pickleball offers a simple yet engaging gameplay experience, making it suitable for players of all skill levels.

Pickleball, thanks to its beginner-friendly appeal, has quickly become a popular choice among sports enthusiasts in Vietnam, spreading as a preferred fitness activity for many.

Pickleball’s popularity suggests a strong future in the country of 100 million people.