Pickleball Holidays in Vietnam: A Guide for Australian Clubs
A pickleball holiday in Vietnam gives your club two things at once: plenty of quality court time, and a proper holiday by the beach. Da Nang, on Vietnam's central coast, is one of the best bases in Asia for it. This guide covers why Da Nang works, the two styles of trip, what a week looks like and how to plan it.
Why Vietnam for pickleball?
Pickleball has taken off in Vietnam. The country hosted its first PPA Tour Asia event, part of the professional pickleball tour, and new courts keep opening. Da Nang has venues with both indoor and outdoor courts, so play goes ahead whatever the weather.
It is also an easy trip from Australia. Vietnam is only 3 to 4 hours behind the east coast, so there is little jet lag, and Da Nang has long beaches, good food, and Hoi An Ancient Town less than an hour away.
Two styles of trip
| Pickleball-Focused Retreat | Pickleball + Vietnam Experience | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 8 days / 7 nights | 8 days / 7 nights |
| Pickleball sessions | 6 | 4 |
| Tournament | Mini tournament on the last day | Social tournament on the last day |
| Best for | Club players who want maximum court time | Couples and friends who want more time off court |
| Highlights | Hoi An, Ba Na Hills, Da Nang city | Food experience, Hoi An, coconut village, Ba Na Hills, Marble Mountains |
A sample week: the Pickleball-Focused Retreat
| Day | Program |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Da Nang, check in, welcome dinner |
| 2 | Pickleball session 1, then Son Tra Peninsula, Dragon Bridge and the Han River |
| 3 | Double pickleball day: sessions 2 and 3 |
| 4 | Pickleball session 4, then Hoi An Ancient Town and dinner by the river |
| 5 | Pickleball session 5, then a recovery afternoon: sports massage or sauna, cold plunge and stretching |
| 6 | Rest from pickleball: Ba Na Hills, the cable car and the Golden Bridge |
| 7 | Pickleball session 6 and the final tournament, then the farewell dinner |
| 8 | Free time and departure |
Sessions run for about two hours, mostly in the morning, so afternoons are free for sightseeing, the beach or rest.
What's included
- •7 nights in a 4- or 5-star hotel in Da Nang
- •Private air-conditioned transport throughout
- •An English-speaking local guide for sightseeing
- •Court bookings for all scheduled sessions
- •Sightseeing and entrance fees listed in the itinerary
- •Selected meals and a farewell dinner
- •One wellness or recovery experience
- •Local support on the ground for the whole trip
Flights, your Vietnam e-visa, travel insurance and your own paddles and shoes are not included. Coaching can be added on request.
"We added pickleball because it is growing fast in Australia, and clubs want trips that mix real court time with a real holiday. Da Nang does both: great courts, the beach, and Hoi An just down the road." – Maximo Naveiro, Founder
Planning your club's trip
| When | What to do |
|---|---|
| 4-6 months before | Gauge interest at your club and choose a trip style |
| 3-4 months before | Confirm numbers and dates, and book flights |
| 6-8 weeks before | Apply for Vietnam e-visas and arrange travel insurance |
| 2 weeks before | Pack paddles, court shoes and light clothing |
The best time to go is January to May, when the weather in Da Nang is drier.
FAQs
Do we need to be good players?
No. The trips suit recreational to intermediate club players, and sessions use formats like round-robin doubles and mixed partners so everyone gets good games.
How big does our group need to be?
Groups of 14 to 24 players work best. Contact us for smaller or larger groups.
Do Australians need a visa for Vietnam?
Australians currently need a Vietnam e-visa. Check the Australian Government's Smartraveller advice before you travel.
Can we go somewhere other than Vietnam?
Da Nang is our flagship pickleball destination. We can also look at other destinations in Asia and beyond on request.
Ready to plan your club's pickleball holiday? Enquire here: https://olimpiatour.com.au/contact
Or see our pickleball tours: https://olimpiatour.com.au/pickleball-tours
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