Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – Former tennis star Ly Hoang Nam has successfully transitioned to pickleball, earning the title of “Pickleball Player of the Year” at the inaugural Vietnam Pickleball Awards 2025, held on the evening of March 23rd. The awards gala, a first-of-its-kind event in Vietnam, recognized outstanding contributions to the rapidly growing sport.
Nam’s victory wasn’t a foregone conclusion. He faced fierce competition from Tran Ngoc Trieu, a prominent badminton player who had been leading in the voting just days before the final tally. While Trieu garnered 7,672 votes from the public, representing 50% of the overall score, Nam ultimately prevailed thanks to strong scores from both the judging panel (30%) and the expert panel (20%). Nam finished with an overall score of 89.55, compared to Trieu’s 77.40, with Do Minh Quan rounding out the top three with a score of 49.03.
Ly Hoang Nam was honored as the best male athlete of the year at the Vietnam Pickleball Awards 2025.
The Vietnam Pickleball Awards 2025, launched in 2025 and culminating in the March 23rd gala, received over 1,900 nominations from the nationwide pickleball community. The program’s success highlights the growing popularity of the sport in Vietnam, even as the country works to establish a formal national pickleball federation. The event featured 18 award categories recognizing excellence across all levels of the game.
Nam’s transition to pickleball has been remarkably swift. His most significant achievement to date came in December 2025, when he won the PPA Asia Tour event in Hangzhou – his first international title in the sport. This award recognizes not only his athletic ability but also his dedication to mastering a new discipline.
Beyond Nam’s individual triumph, Sophia Phuong Anh dominated the women’s categories, securing a remarkable “hat trick” of awards. She was named Best Female Athlete of the Year, Best Women’s Doubles Player (with Sophia Huynh Tran), and Best Mixed Doubles Player (with Le Xuan Duc).
Sophia Phuong Anh won a hattrick of titles at the Vietnam Pickleball Awards 2025.
In the men’s doubles category, Do Minh Quan and Truong Vinh Hien took home the award, narrowly defeating the duo of Dat “Tro” and Trieu, who finished second. Ly Hoang Nam and Le Xuan Duc secured third place in the same category. Looking to the future, Le Xuan Duc was recognized as the Most Promising Youth Athlete (U18), while Suri Bao Han earned the title of Most Promising Youth Athlete (U18) in the women’s division. Veteran tennis player Do Minh Quan was also honored as the Best Male Athlete (40+), and Cao Thuy Dung claimed the Best Female Athlete (40+) award.
The success of the Vietnam Pickleball Awards 2025 underscores the sport’s burgeoning presence in the country. As pickleball continues to gain traction, the establishment of a national governing body will be crucial for fostering further growth and development. The awards gala served as a significant milestone, celebrating the achievements of Vietnam’s top pickleball players and inspiring a new generation of athletes to take up the sport.
The awards ceremony, held in Ho Chi Minh City, attracted a diverse audience including athletes, artists, models, and sports enthusiasts, signaling a broad appeal for pickleball within Vietnamese society. The event’s impact extends beyond the individual winners, contributing to the overall visibility and legitimacy of pickleball as a competitive sport in Vietnam.
Ly Hoang Nam’s next competitive appearance is currently unconfirmed, but fans will be eagerly anticipating his continued success on the PPA Asia Tour and beyond. Stay tuned to Archysport for further updates on Vietnam’s rising pickleball stars and the ongoing development of the sport within the country.
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