Vietnam sees surge in professional pickleball tournaments

Former beauty‑queen and model Trà Ngọc Hằng has shifted from show‑business to organising large‑scale pickleball events in Vietnam. She runs the Cô Trà Cup series, describing the hidden "invisible costs" of sponsorship changes, venue setup, referee staffing and livestream production, and stresses the need for transparent and fair competition.

The Aristino Pickleball Championship 2026, held on 31 May at The MM Pickleball Club in Ho Chi Minh City, gathered over 100 participants ranging from business leaders to artists. The tournament is linked to a community‑building programme that funds the construction of pedestrian bridges in the Mekong Delta, aiming to improve local mobility and safety.

The People’s Daily Newspaper Pickleball competition for 2026 also attracted a star‑studded field, including singers, actors, TikTok creators and fashion models. Notable pairings such as singer Lê Anh with actor Thanh Tùng and TikToker Võ Gia An with Sang Nguyễn highlighted the sport’s crossover appeal. Organisers emphasized both the entertainment value and the promotion of healthy lifestyles among celebrities and fans alike.

Together, these events illustrate the rapid growth of pickleball in Vietnam, combining professional sport, celebrity involvement and community development initiatives.