The APP Asia Tour is bringing its international pickleball competition to Vietnam, with the APP Asia Ho Chi Minh City Open 2026 scheduled for December 10–13, 2026. The event, confirmed by tournament organizers, will be held at the VIAS Pickleball Academy and is expected to draw more than 1,500 players from Vietnam and across the globe. The tournament combines a substantial prize fund with a focus on both professional and amateur players, alongside a unique international showdown.
The Ho Chi Minh City Open will feature a total prize pool of $50,000, a considerable purse for a regional tournament. The prize money is split to incentivize both elite and recreational competitors, with $35,000 allocated for professional events and $15,000 for amateur divisions. This structure is a notable feature of the event, offering meaningful cash prizes to players at different skill levels, from those pursuing an APP Asia title to amateurs seeking to test their skills on an international stage.
The Event Accommodates Players of All Levels
The APP Asia Ho Chi Minh City Open 2026 is organized by SEVA (Sports Era Vietnam Asia) and is part of the broader APP Asia Tour circuit. The four-day event will offer a comprehensive range of competition, with 51 distinct categories designed to accommodate a wide spectrum of players. This includes professional divisions, amateur events, a Senior Pro 50+ bracket, and junior categories, ensuring broad accessibility within the sport.
The professional schedule is centered on five core events: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles, and mixed doubles. This provides a clear focus for top-tier competition while the numerous other categories allow for participation across age groups and skill levels, reinforcing the tournament’s goal of uniting the Vietnamese pickleball community with the international circuit.
International Stars Join Vietnamese Players
The tournament is set to feature a strong international contingent of professional players, whose participation shows the event’s importance on the global pickleball calendar. According to tournament announcements, the international field includes stars like Jack Munro, Megan Fudge, Roos Van Reek, Richard Livornese, and Ronan Camron. These athletes bring a high level of competitive experience to Ho Chi Minh City.
They will be joined by leading Vietnamese players, creating compelling matchups on the court. Among the home nation’s representatives expected to compete are Quang Duong, Phuc Huynh, Trinh Linh Giang, and Trang Huynh. Their presence will offer local fans a chance to support national players against international opposition, while visiting competitors will get a firsthand look at the talent and enthusiasm of Vietnam’s growing pickleball community.
The US vs. Asia Showdown
A headline attraction for the Ho Chi Minh City Open is the first-ever APP US vs. Asia showdown. This special event adds a layer of regional pride to the tournament and provides fans with an additional reason to follow the action beyond individual titles. The format, team selections, and schedule for the showdown are yet to be officially announced but are expected to be detailed in the lead-up to the event.
This competition reflects a central ambition of the APP Asia Tour: to build stronger connections between Asian players and the wider international game. By creating a direct competitive platform, the event aims to foster growth and elevate the profile of pickleball across Asia through high-profile, cross-regional play.
Development Focus for Young Players
In addition to its competitive offerings, the Ho Chi Minh City Open 2026 is placing a strong emphasis on developing young talent. The tournament will include a junior program with a key initiative known as the Junior Golden Ticket (Tấm Vé Vàng). This program provides a pathway for young athletes to advance their skills by offering a chance to train at the APP Next Academy.
During the 2026 junior season, two training scholarships will be awarded—one to a young male player and one to a young female player—who meet specific selection criteria.
Why It Matters for Vietnam’s Pickleball Scene
For Vietnamese players, the Ho Chi Minh City Open is a key opportunity. Competing on home soil against international professionals provides a unique learning experience and a chance to test their skills against international opposition.
The amateur component of the tournament ensures that the event is not just for elite athletes. Club and recreational players will have the opportunity to compete at an international level with cash prizes on the line, an experience offered in the region.
What’s Next for the Event
Registration for the APP Asia Ho Chi Minh City Open 2026 is currently open, welcoming players from Vietnam, Asia, and around the world. Interested participants can register through the tournament’s official page on SportsSync. The event follows the APP Asia Bangkok Open, which is scheduled for November 17–22, 2026, positioning the two tournaments as stops on the Asian pickleball circuit.
Further details regarding the US vs. Asia showdown, including its specific format and team selections, are expected to be announced in the coming months. The APP Asia Ho Chi Minh City Open 2026 will be held at VIAS Pickleball Academy from 10–13 December 2026, featuring a USD50,000 cash prize pool and the first-ever APP US vs Asia showdown.
