Pickleball in Hanoi: where to play as a visitor

I live in Hanoi, and I play here most weeks. The good news for visitors is that you don't have to cross the city to find a game: there's an indoor court on the edge of the Old Quarter, a short walk from Dong Xuan Market. Here's where I play, what an hour really costs, when Hanoi plays, and how to get into a game the way locals do.

The court I play at: Taurus Pickleball

Taurus Pickleball is where I play most often, and it's the one I'd send any visitor to first. It sits on the north edge of the Old Quarter, near Dong Xuan Market and the Long Bien Bridge, so if you're staying in the Old Quarter it's a short walk or a five-minute Grab. From Hoan Kiem Lake it's about 15 minutes on foot.

It's indoors, with a high roof and plenty of space around the courts, which matters in Hanoi: you're out of the summer sun, out of the rain, and out of the cold in winter. Prices are per court, per hour:

The evening price is higher for a reason: that's when Hanoi plays, and the courts are full. If you'd like to book a court for your own group, the morning is easier and cheaper. If you'd like to join locals, come in the late afternoon or evening. Prices were correct when I last played in October 2026, so message the club to confirm before you go.

Hanoi plays in the evening

Hanoi is a big, busy city, and most people work all day. So the courts here fill up from the afternoon into the evening, after work, rather than at dawn the way they do in Da Nang. That's when you'll find the most groups, the best games and the highest prices.

For visitors, that's actually convenient. Spend the morning in the Old Quarter or at the Temple of Literature, rest through the hottest part of the day, and play from about 5pm when the light softens. If you'd rather have a court to yourselves, book a morning slot: it's quieter, and less than half the evening price.

How to get a game in Hanoi

You'll read online about booking apps like Reclub. Some clubs list sessions there, but Vietnamese players rarely use them. Here's how it really works in Hanoi:

1. Find the group on Facebook. Most clubs and regular groups have a Facebook group or page. Start with ours, Pickleball in Vietnam, and ask where people are playing during your dates.
2. Join their Zalo group. The Facebook group usually shares a QR code for the club's Zalo group. Scan it, and you're in. Zalo is the messaging app every Vietnamese person uses, and it's where sessions are actually organised.
3. Message the owner or manager. Ask about a court or a group to join at your time. The owner or court manager replies directly on Zalo, usually within minutes. Ask to join a group's session; in Vietnamese slang this is called xé vé, buying a single "ticket" for the session.
4. Turn up, pay your share, and play. Games are doubles, and you rotate in and out.

The catch is that most Zalo groups are in Vietnamese. That's where we can help: tell us your dates and level, and we'll put you in touch. My full guide to joining a game as a visitor explains the etiquette, and our SIM card and Zalo guide shows you how to set up Zalo before you fly. A few words of Vietnamese help too: here are the court words and phrases I'd learn first.

Other courts around the city

Hanoi has courts in almost every district now, and new ones open every few months. These are a few more names you'll hear. I haven't played at all of them, so check the details with the club before you go.

If you'd rather play where you sleep, a few hotels have their own courts, including Pullman Hanoi and Dolce Hanoi Golden Lake. Our guide to hotels and resorts with pickleball courts has the details.

Do you need a paddle?

No. Most Hanoi clubs rent paddles and sell balls at the front desk, so you can travel light. If you do bring your own, our guide to flying with a pickleball paddle covers the airline rules. On our trips, paddles are sorted either way.

When to visit Hanoi for pickleball

Unlike the south, Hanoi has a real winter, so the season matters. March to April and September to November are the sweet spots: mild, mostly dry and comfortable all day. December to February turns genuinely cool, often grey and damp, which is when an indoor court like Taurus earns its keep. May to August is hot and humid with heavy showers, so play late in the afternoon or indoors. Our guide to playing in the heat has more.

Just landing? Noi Bai airport is about 45 minutes from the Old Quarter. Here's how our Noi Bai to Old Quarter transfer works, and what a Grab costs if you'd rather book your own. Our Old Quarter guide covers the rest of your stay.

Hanoi pickleball FAQ

Is there a court near the Old Quarter?

Yes. Taurus Pickleball is an indoor club on the north edge of the Old Quarter, close to Dong Xuan Market and about 15 minutes' walk from Hoan Kiem Lake.

How much does it cost?

Courts are rented per court, per hour. At Taurus it's about 130,000 VND in the morning, 170,000 VND from noon and 300,000 VND in the evening. Split between four players, that's roughly US$1.50 to US$3 each.

When do people play in Hanoi?

Mostly from the afternoon into the evening, after work. Mornings are quieter and cheaper.

How do I join a game?

Find the group on Facebook, join the club's Zalo group through its QR code, then message the owner or manager to ask about a session.

Do I need to bring a paddle?

No. Most clubs rent paddles and sell balls at the front desk.

The bottom line

Hanoi is an easy city to play pickleball in, once you know it plays in the evening and talks on Zalo. Stay in the Old Quarter, walk to Taurus, and either book a quiet morning court or join the locals after work. For other cities, start with my overview of playing pickleball in Vietnam.