Vietnam’s Pickleball Boom Reaches An Estimated 16 Million Players

• Regional survey data puts pickleball awareness in Vietnam at 88%, the highest reported rate in Asia, with an estimated 16 million people playing frequently each month.
• Online equipment sales reached nearly VND 511 billion (about US$20 million) in the first half of 2025, almost 13 times the same period a year earlier.
• Noise complaints have led authorities to restrict operating hours and require acoustic curtains and sound barriers.

Three Years From Curiosity To National Pastime

Three years ago, pickleball was little more than a curiosity in Vietnam. According to The Pickleball Weekly, it now fills courts, generates millions in equipment sales and attracts celebrities. Dan Beeman, CEO of Superlative Pickleball Travel and Resort Services, wrote the October 21 feature after following the rise for three years.

What first looked like a passing social media trend grew into something larger. It began on converted tennis courts and in neighborhood recreation centers, then spread through major cities. Ho Chi Minh City has crowded evening courts, and Hanoi and Da Nang have growing clubs.

A Country Captivated

Regional survey data cited in the article puts public awareness of pickleball in Vietnam at 88%, the highest reported rate in Asia. Singapore sits at 70% and Malaysia at 57%. More than 37% of Vietnamese residents have reportedly tried the sport, and an estimated 16 million people play frequently each month. On the competitive side, DUPR platform registrations rose 184% in 2025.

Vietnam already had a strong racket-sports culture. Badminton and table tennis are familiar recreational activities, and tennis has an established competitive following. Nearly 28% of participants reportedly came from other racket sports, which gave pickleball a pool of players who could adapt quickly.

Accessibility was another advantage. A regulation court is about 6.1 by 13.4 meters and needs far less space than tennis. The smaller court, lightweight paddles and approachable learning curve attract beginners, while experienced athletes still find competitive play. Young professionals can play with retirees, and parents can introduce children to the game.

Beeman sums up the appeal this way: “It was easy enough to try, competitive enough to master and social enough to become part of everyday life.”

From Courts To Commerce

As enthusiasm spread, entrepreneurs saw more than a recreational opportunity. According to retail analytics platform Metric.vn, online pickleball equipment sales through Shopee, TikTok Shop, Lazada and Tiki reached nearly VND 511 billion, about US$20 million, in the first half of 2025. Sales were almost 13 times higher than the same period a year earlier.

Over a later ten-month reporting period the article describes as “extending toward 2026,” equipment turnover approached VND 1 trillion. Paddle sales alone were about VND 400 billion, or roughly 1.4 million units. Products priced between VND 500,000 and VND 750,000 sold especially well, generating about VND 75 billion in revenue.

Real estate has also benefited. A single tennis court footprint can fit about three or four pickleball courts, so facility operators can increase bookings and possibly earn more from the same space. Hanoi has more than 150 dedicated pickleball venues, and Ho Chi Minh City reportedly has more than 1,000 court clusters. Hourly rentals generally run from VND 250,000 to VND 500,000, and evening occupancy at some facilities exceeds 80%. Reservation platforms such as BookAndGo help operators manage court bookings, payments and organized leagues.

When The Court Becomes A Catwalk

Clothing is the clearest sign of pickleball’s cultural reach in Vietnam. In mid-2024 the sport became the center of a fashion controversy as celebrities, influencers and social media personalities posted photos and videos from courts. Critics asked whether some participants cared more about fashion and social media exposure than the game, and form-fitting, nontechnical apparel became a contested topic.

Vietnamese actresses Quỳnh Kool and Quỳnh Nga answered with humor. They appeared on courts in traditional floral pajamas, known locally as “đồ bộ bà thím.” Their response drew more attention to the sport.

As participation grew through 2025 and 2026, the market moved toward technical athletic apparel built for comfort, movement and performance. FILA, distributed in Vietnam by Maison RMI, placed pickleball within its lifestyle range and ran promotional events with mainstream celebrities.

Noise Complaints And Growing Organization

Growth brought friction in dense cities. The article says a hard paddle hitting a plastic ball can produce about 70 decibels at 30 meters, against a typical residential ambient level of about 55 decibels. Courts appeared in residential areas, especially Khương Đình in Hanoi and Thanh Khê in Da Nang, and late-night play led to complaints from residents seeking quiet. Municipal authorities responded by restricting operating hours and requiring acoustic curtains and sound barriers.

Beeman notes that this conflict is familiar in pickleball communities worldwide: players want easy access to courts, and residents want reasonable limits on noise and activity.

Competition brought its own problem. As tournaments multiplied, inconsistent officiating and line-call disputes showed a shortage of qualified referees and standardized procedures. On July 28, 2026, the Vietnam Pickleball Federation held its founding congress in Hanoi. Under President Lê Văn Thành, it introduced a national governance structure, standardized referee certification and an official ranking system.

More Than A Passing Craze

Beeman argues the boom did not depend on one celebrity endorsement, tournament or campaign. Several factors reinforced each other: an established racket-sports culture, accessible gameplay, social media that introduced the sport to millions, entrepreneurs who saw commercial potential, and professional athletes who built competitive credibility.

The article calls the noise and officiating issues “growing pains” that come with turning a casual pastime into an established sporting industry. Beeman says the next phase is harder, with Vietnam needing to balance expansion with facilities, stronger officiating, governance and continued athlete development.

His closing verdict is direct. “The question is no longer whether pickleball can capture a nation’s attention.” Then: “Vietnam has already answered that.”