Connecting Japan and Vietnam Through Pickleball in Ho Chi Minh City

Living abroad brings plenty of opportunities, but meeting people outside work can sometimes be a challenge. Perhaps you would like to make Vietnamese friends, meet fellow Japanese residents, or simply enjoy an active weekend.

Our Japan–Vietnam Pickleball Exchange in Ho Chi Minh City brings these interests together on one court. Through our ongoing events, Japanese and Vietnamese participants meet, play, and get to know one another through a shared love of sport.

You team up, chase the ball, celebrate a good shot, and encourage each other after a missed one. Even when you cannot immediately find the right words, sharing a game gives you something to connect over. That is the spirit behind our events: making friendship between Japan and Vietnam part of everyday life.

For this Japan–Vietnam Pickleball Exchange in Ho Chi Minh City, we invited two professional players from Japan to join us on the court! It was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy pickleball together and connect through sport.

A Game Gives You Something to Talk About

Meeting someone for the first time can feel intimidating, especially when you speak different languages. Should you use Japanese, Vietnamese, or English? What should you talk about?

On a pickleball court, you can start by playing together. Passing a ball, checking the score, and encouraging your partner all create small opportunities to communicate. You already have something in common happening right in front of you.

A quick “Nice shot!”, a smile, or a high-five can go a long way. You do not need a long conversation to enjoy a moment together.

As teammates, you naturally want to support each other. As opponents, you can still appreciate a great shot. These simple exchanges help turn unfamiliar faces into people you feel comfortable approaching.

Easy to Start, Enjoyable to Keep Playing

Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Players use paddles and a lightweight perforated ball on a compact court.

One of its attractions is how quickly newcomers can discover the enjoyment of a rally. At first, you may focus on simply returning the ball. As you become more comfortable, keeping it in play becomes satisfying—and you start looking forward to the next point.

There is also plenty to explore as your skills develop. Where should you place your shot? Where should you stand? How can you move effectively with your partner?

Power alone does not decide every point. Placement, timing, and teamwork all add to the experience. It is a sport you can begin casually and continue enjoying as you improve.

Through our exchange events, we hope participants discover both the pleasure of playing and the connections that can grow around it.

Becoming Teammates Across Cultures

The heart of this event is simple: Japanese and Vietnamese people enjoying the same activity together.

On the court, nationality and job titles become less important than the game you are sharing. A rally, a smile, or a word of encouragement can become the first step toward getting to know someone.

For Japanese residents and visitors, playing with Vietnamese participants offers a more personal connection to life in Ho Chi Minh City. Between games, you might ask where someone usually plays or exchange recommendations for places around the city.

These conversations offer a glimpse of everyday life that you may not find through work or sightseeing alone.

For Vietnamese participants, the events also create an opportunity to meet Japanese people in a relaxed setting. Learning each other’s names, sharing a few words in another language, and saying hello again at the next event all help build a connection over time.

The Pleasure of Seeing Familiar Faces Again

We hold Japan–Vietnam pickleball exchange events regularly in Ho Chi Minh City because we want these connections to have room to grow.

At your first event, many faces may be unfamiliar. At your next one, there may already be someone you can greet. That small difference can make coming back feel much easier.

You might meet a former partner again, remember someone’s name, or welcome a new participant onto the court. Regular events offer both the comfort of familiar faces and the enjoyment of meeting someone new.

Our aim is to give people something to look forward to in their lives in Ho Chi Minh City: a chance to move, play, and spend time with others.

For visitors from Japan, the events can also become a memorable part of a trip. Joining a local sporting activity offers an opportunity to meet people and experience the city through something you do together.

From Regular Gatherings to Larger Events

Alongside our regular exchange sessions, we have also organized larger events.

On March 28, 2026, our Friendly Cup brought together 104 participants: 63 Vietnamese, 39 Japanese, and two participants of other nationalities. It created an opportunity for people from different backgrounds to enjoy pickleball together.

Smaller sessions and larger tournaments each offer something different. Regular gatherings help people get to know one another, while tournaments provide opportunities to play with a wider range of participants and expand those connections.

We have also arranged exchange opportunities featuring professional players from Japan. Seeing different styles of play and experiencing the sport from a new perspective can give participants fresh inspiration.

We will continue creating opportunities for people who enjoy the social side of pickleball, as well as those who want to explore the sport further.

Come on Your Own or Bring a Friend

You may be interested but still wonder what it would feel like to attend alone.

A simple greeting to the person you are about to play with is a good place to start. You do not have to keep a conversation going throughout the event. Playing together gives you a natural way to get acquainted.

Coming with friends can also add something different to your weekend. Alongside your usual meals or café visits, you can try a sporting activity together—and perhaps meet some new people along the way.

Your reason for joining can be as simple as wanting to exercise, try pickleball, or meet Japanese and Vietnamese people. We would be happy for that interest to bring you to the court.

Join Us for the Next Game

We want to create a place where people look forward to coming back and playing together again.

An enjoyable game can lead to a new connection, and that connection can make life in Ho Chi Minh City a little richer. We hope to keep building these opportunities, one gathering at a time.

You do not need to speak fluent Japanese or Vietnamese to share your enthusiasm. Start with a hello and a single shot. A new experience—and perhaps a new friendship—can begin there.

Why not join a Japan–Vietnam Pickleball Exchange on your next free weekend?

Please check the event announcement for the date, venue, participation requirements, and registration details.

We look forward to seeing you on the court!