PPA Asia Vietnam Open: The first-ever Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Asia – Vietnam Open began Thursday in Ho Chi Minh City. The tournament runs through Sunday at Global City and has drawn 354 amateur and professional players from Vietnam, across Asia, and other countries.
First PPA Asia Event in Vietnam
This is the debut of a PPA Asia event in Vietnam and the first time an outdoor competition is being held under its banner. Registration opened online for three weeks, and all slots were quickly filled, showing the rising popularity of pickleball in the region.
Top Players in the Spotlight
Vietnamese players competing include Trinh Linh Giang, who won the PPA Malaysia Open, and Huynh Thien Phuc, runner-up at the Fukuoka Open. Ly Hoang Nam and Si Boi Ngoc are also representing the host nation. Another standout is Wong Hong Kit, the Hong Kong Open champion.
From Australia, Mitchell Hargreaves, the No. 2 seed, is joined by Louis Laville, Harrison Brown, and 18-year-old Lucas Pascoe. India’s Vanshik Kapadia, who reached the Malaysia Open final, is also part of the field.
Strong Women’s Lineup
The women’s singles competition features China’s Yufei Long, Taiwan’s Yu-Chieh Hsieh, Australia’s Nicola Schoeman, and Roos van Reek of the Netherlands, who won the Hong Kong Open.
Prize Money and Points
Singles champions will take home US$1,800, while doubles winners will earn US$3,000. Players who win singles titles also receive 1,000 ranking points. Following PPA Asia’s rules, athletes who reach the round of 16 receive US$150.
Courts and Facilities
Matches are spread across four court clusters. One of the courts has been built to full PPA Asia championship standards, giving players a professional stage.
Ticket Sales
Tickets for Friday are still available at VND185,000 (US$7). Weekend passes have already sold out, including VIP Daily tickets at VND630,000 (US$24) and VVIP tickets at VND10 million (US$379).
“This is the first ticketed pickleball event ever held in Vietnam,” said Nguyen Hai Long, pickleball development director at New Sports, one of the co-organizers.
“We sold out 400 regular and 100 VIP tickets in just two hours.”
What’s Next
The tournament highlights Vietnam’s growing role in pickleball’s expansion in Asia. A second Vietnam stop is already planned in Da Nang later this year, further strengthening the country’s position in the sport.
News in Brief: PPA Asia Vietnam Open
The first PPA Asia – Vietnam Open began Thursday in Ho Chi Minh City, drawing 354 players. The event runs until Sunday at Global City, featuring top athletes from Vietnam, Asia, and beyond. Prize money, ranking points, and sold-out tickets mark a milestone as pickleball gains popularity in Vietnam.
ALSO READ: Singapore’s Yeo Jih-Shian Makes History With Stunning Triple Crown Win at PPA Asia