Vietnam – Cuba friendship pickleball tournament strengthens special bond
Diplomacy turned into rallies on Hanoi’s courts.
THE HANOI TIMES — Cheers and rallies filled a Hanoi sports hall on August 23 as diplomats and officials joined local players in the Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Pickleball Tournament 2025.
The tournament is part of the Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Year, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, and the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The sight of senior officials, ambassadors, and members of friendship associations trading volleys gave the event a playful energy rarely seen in diplomatic settings.
Russian diplomats Repin Mikhail and Kuznetsov Andrei joined the games with paddles decorated with Vietnamese symbols, drawing smiles from the crowd.
The tournament carried a clear message of solidarity. During the opening, the Vietnam–Cuba Friendship Association in Hanoi handed over a US$2,000 donation to Cuba, received on behalf of the Cuban people by Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes. The contribution, part of a Vietnam Red Cross campaign, reflected the wish of Hanoians to support Cuba in overcoming challenges.
The competition drew 32 players, divided into groups for men’s and mixed doubles. Over two hours, the rallies blended competition with laughter and mutual encouragement.
In the end, Minh Chinh and Tuan Duong secured the men’s doubles title, while Trung Dung and Ngoc Anh triumphed in the mixed doubles. Their victories were celebrated with enthusiastic applause, underlining the friendly spirit that carried through the day.
The organizers also honored sponsors including HAVICO, BKC, AK Pro Sports, Hanoi Beer, and SOL 8 – Live Stage with commemorative medals.
Participants received souvenir flags, adding to the sense of a shared festival rather than a conventional sports contest.
As the event closed, the mix of sport, diplomacy, and community support was seen as a vivid example of people’s diplomacy.
A simple pickleball rally had become a symbol of unity, strengthening the long-standing friendship between Vietnam and Cuba while bringing a festive energy to Hanoi’s season of historic anniversaries.
