Pickleball in Ho Chi Minh City: where to play as a visitor

Saigon was slower to pick up the paddle than Hanoi and Da Nang, but it has more than caught up. In August 2026 the city hosted a PPA Tour Asia event at The Global City, and today it has the deepest scene in the country, from expat clubs in Thao Dien to competition courts in District 7. Here's where to play as a visitor, starting with a court near District 1, what an hour costs, and how to get into a game.

Why Saigon is now Vietnam's deepest scene

Saigon always had the numbers: more people, more money and more expats than anywhere else in Vietnam. It just took a while for the courts to catch up. Then clubs opened across the city, existing ones added courts, and in August 2026 the PPA Tour Asia brought its Ho Chi Minh City Open to the New Sports Club at The Global City, with up to 500 international ranking points on offer. For a visitor, that means you can find any level of game here, from a gentle social to a properly competitive match.

Playing near District 1

Most visitors stay in District 1, and most of Saigon's big clubs are across the river. You don't have to make that trip for a game.

Pickleball PickUp

Pickleball PickUp is one of the Saigon courts I've played at myself. It's on the western edge of District 1, close to Nguyen Van Cu Street, so from the Ben Thanh Market area it's about 10 minutes by Grab. It's the easiest option if you'd like a game without crossing the city, and it has the same easy mix of local regulars and visitors you'll find everywhere in Vietnam.

Court One Club at the New World Saigon Hotel

On Le Lai Street, a few minutes' walk from Ben Thanh Market, Court One Club runs outdoor, floodlit courts at the New World Saigon Hotel. The club is a separate operator from the hotel. It runs organised socials grouped by level every day at 6am and 6pm and sells a day pass to visitors, so it's the simplest way to walk into a game if you're staying central. Contact the club to reserve a spot; its socials fill up.

Thao Dien and the old District 2

This is where most of Saigon's pickleball happens, and it's an easy 20 to 30 minutes by Grab from District 1. Thao Dien is also a lovely place to spend the rest of the morning, with leafy streets, cafes and brunch spots.

PickoLand

Five floodlit courts and a reputation as one of the more serious places to play in the city. Pick it if you want a real game rather than a knock-around.

002 Pickleball Club

Four indoor courts in a purpose-built space, with beginner-friendly sessions and weekend mixers where visitors are genuinely welcome. It also has a coffee counter right beside the courts, so "play, then coffee" is the actual order of the morning. Being indoors, it's a good choice when the afternoon storms roll in.

Bang Bang Pickleball

Eight courts under a container-style clubhouse, smooth surfaces, rental gear and drop-in games most days. One of the biggest single setups in the city.

Further out: Thu Duc and District 7

RUDAL Pickleball Center

Six courts on spacious grounds in Thu Duc, with paddles to rent and one of the best sunset views in the city: that's it in the photo at the top of this page. It's well reviewed and drop-in friendly, so it's worth the longer ride.

The Dinker Club

The most competitive venue on this list, and a host of local tournaments. If you play with a competitive edge, this is where you'll find the strongest games. If you'd like to enter a tournament while you're here, our guide to playing a tournament in Vietnam as a visitor explains how.

All the courts at a glance

Travel times are by Grab outside rush hour. New clubs open every month in Saigon, so check the details with the club before you go.

What it costs

Courts are rented per court, not per person. Across the city, expect roughly 100,000 to 260,000 VND an hour (US$4 to US$10), with evenings at the top of the range. With four players, that's US$1 to US$2.50 each. Hotel-based clubs like Court One usually sell a day pass instead. Most clubs rent paddles at the front desk, so you don't need to bring one. If you'd like coaching, here's what pickleball lessons in Vietnam cost.

How to get a game as a visitor

1. Find the club on Facebook. Start with our group, Pickleball in Vietnam, or search "Pickleball Saigon" or "Pickleball Ho Chi Minh". Clubs and groups post open sessions every day.
2. Join the Zalo group. Most clubs share a Zalo QR code. 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 session at your time. The owner usually replies directly within minutes. In Vietnamese slang, joining a group's session is xé vé, buying a single "ticket".
4. Or go social. Clubs popular with expats, especially in Thao Dien and at Court One, run English-friendly socials where you can just turn up.

My guide to joining a game in Vietnam covers the etiquette, and these court words in Vietnamese help more than you'd think.

When to play

Saigon plays twice a day: 6 to 9am, before the heat, and 5 to 9pm, which is the busiest slot. The south has two seasons rather than four. December to April is dry and warm, the easiest time to plan a trip. May to November brings heavy but usually short afternoon storms, so a morning session is rarely affected. Our guide to playing in the heat has more.

Landing at Tan Son Nhat? Here's our transfer from Tan Son Nhat to District 1, from $35, with your name on a sign and the price fixed before you fly. Off court, our guide to things to do in Ho Chi Minh City covers the rest of your stay, and a day in the Mekong Delta is the best trip out of the city.

Saigon pickleball FAQ

Where can I play near District 1?

Pickleball PickUp, about 10 minutes by Grab from Ben Thanh Market, and Court One Club at the New World Saigon Hotel on Le Lai Street, with socials by level at 6am and 6pm every day.

How much does it cost?

Roughly 100,000 to 260,000 VND per court per hour, so US$1 to US$2.50 each with four players. Hotel clubs usually sell a day pass.

Which area has the most courts?

Thao Dien and the old District 2, now part of Thu Duc City. District 7 has The Dinker Club, a competition venue.

When do people play?

From about 6 to 9am and 5 to 9pm. In the rainy season, mornings are the safest bet.

How do I join a game?

Find the club on Facebook, join its Zalo group through the QR code, and message the owner or manager about a session.

The bottom line

Saigon has the deepest pickleball scene in Vietnam, and you don't have to leave District 1 to play. Start with PickUp or a social at Court One, then cross to Thao Dien for a bigger game and a long coffee after. For the rest of the country, start with my overview of playing pickleball in Vietnam.