Along with travel or a business trip to Vietnam,buying pickleball gear locally— the number of Japanese players thinking this is increasing. Vietnam is now one of the world's fastest-growing pickleball markets. Local-brand paddles can be had at more affordable prices than in Japan, with a rich selection too. This article organizes "where, at what price, and how to buy" in a solution-oriented way, covering three ways to buy — physical stores, online, and specialist communities — the going prices, and how to bring things back to Japan.
Three Ways to Buy Pickleball Gear in Vietnam [Quick-Reference Table]
There are roughly three purchase routes in Vietnam. First, let's compare the big picture.
| Buying method | Features | Who It's Suited To |
|---|---|---|
| Physical stores (Decathlon, etc.) | You can actually hold and choose. Beginner sets are also sold | For people who want to try and buy while traveling |
| Online (Shopee, Lazada, etc.) | A rich selection and easy price comparison | For people living locally or on a long stay |
| Specialist shops and communities | You can also get the latest info and used-goods trading info | For people who want to make playing friends locally |
(1) Buying at a Physical Store: Decathlon Is the Staple
Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi have several large sporting-goods stores. The staple is the French-born sporting-goods chain "Decathlon." According to a 2024 local experience report, the Vincom Thảo Điền store in the Thảo Điền district had a dedicated pickleball corner, selling everything from beginner sets to higher-end models.
The advantage of a physical store is being able to actually pick it up and check the weight and grip comfort. Because you can consult with staff while choosing a paddle that fits your level, it suits people buying for the first time. As a price benchmark, there's a report that a set of two rackets and three balls could be bought from about 1,273,000 VND (about 7,150 yen).
SourceThis is Vietnam, "I Bought and Tried Pickleball in Ho Chi Minh City."(2024)
(2) Online Purchase: Shopee and Lazada Are the Main Battleground
On Vietnam's major e-commerce sites (Shopee、Lazada, Tiki, Sendo, TikTok Shop), sales of pickleball-related products are rapidly expanding. The related gross merchandise value in Q2 2024 reached 22.7 billion VND, growing nearly 150% from the previous quarter. The well-selling price bands are 200,000–350,000 VND for beginner wear and 500,000–750,000 VND for rackets.
The advantage of online is thatprice comparisonis easy and you can choose by referring to reviews. Aiming for sale periods, there's also a chance to buy even cheaper. You can buy some Vietnamese brands on Japan's Amazon and Rakuten too, but local e-commerce has a wider selection. However, local e-commerce is mainly domestic Vietnam delivery, and whether it ships directly to Japan differs by shop. It's realistic to receive it at your accommodation or combine it with the bring-back/shipping methods described below.
SourceACCESS, "[Economy] Pickleball Is Trending and the Market Is Rapidly Expanding"(September 2024), based on
(3) Via Specialist Shops and Communities
In Vietnam, pickleball-specialist shops and social-media communities are also rapidly increasing. Hoa Shop, which runs a community on social media, is said to have about 58,000 members, with 100–300 people newly joining each day. Joining such communities and circles lets you get the latest gear info and buying advice, plus used-goods trading info. Because you can hear the real voices of people who actually play, the advantage is reducing shopping failures.
SourceACCESS, "[Economy] Pickleball Is Trending and the Market Is Rapidly Expanding"(September 2024), based on
Going Prices: How Much Cheaper Than Japan?
The biggest appeal of buying in Vietnam is the price. We've organized the benchmarks (yen conversions are rough estimates based on the exchange rate at the time of the source, and vary with currency and period).
| Product | Price benchmark in Vietnam | Yen-conversion benchmark |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner set (two rackets + three balls) | From about 1,273,000 VND | From about 7,150 yen |
| Beginner wear | 200,000–350,000 VND | About 1,100–2,000 yen |
| Best-selling rackets | 500,000–750,000 VND | About 2,800–4,200 yen |
| Court use fee (1 hour) | 160,000–370,000 VND (one example) | About 1,000–2,300 yen |
Even higher-end models of local brands are often sold at more affordable prices than same-class Western brands, making it an attractive market for cost-performance-focused Japanese players. The market's momentum is strong too — it's reported that in just the first 10 months of 2025, Vietnamese people spent about 400 billion VND buying about 1.4 million pickleballs, an increase of about 800% year-on-year.
SourceVietnam.vn, "Pickleball Becomes a Playground for Billionaires, Including Elon Musk's Tesla"(January 2026)
Vietnamese Brands to Check If Buying Locally
Vietnam has a lineup of domestic brands like Kamito, Facolos, Beesoul, VNi, and Sypik, making them strong candidates for local purchase. Each has a different character.
- Kamito: A comprehensive sports brand offering everything from paddles to shoes and apparel
- Facolos: Competition-minded. Some models are said to tout USA Pickleball approval
- Beesoul: Characterized by a colorful design rollout. Easy to choose as a souvenir too
- VNi: A spec-focused type that puts forward materials and specs
- Sypik: An emerging brand touting a power-leaning design
For detailed features of each brand and how to choose, seethe complete guide to Vietnamese pickleball brandswhere we explain. For individual reviews, seeVNi paddle review, and for the buying procedure, seeFacolos buying guideis also worth a look.
How to Bring Things Back to / Ship to Japan [3 Steps]
For how to bring the gear you bought back to Japan,carry-on, EMS, and international shipping— choose from these three by quantity and situation.
Paddles and balls are lightweight and compact, so putting them in a suitcase and bringing them back is easiest. With about two paddles there's almost no worry of a weight overage. Because carbon-type models can be vulnerable to impact, wrap them in a towel or clothing to protect them.
If you ship by EMS from Vietnam Post, it arrives in Japan in about 3–7 days. Because shipping costs change with weight, get a quote in advance.
Some shops support international shipping, but not all. Confirm whether it's supported before buying, and calculate the total including customs duties and import taxes.
If You're Going, Try Playing Locally Too
Not just buying — trying to play locally before choosing is also recommended. Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have many well-equipped dedicated facilities. A 2024 local experience report introduced "RALLY PICKLEBALL" in Ho Chi Minh City's Thảo Điền district, which has a cafe and mini bar attached to a total of five courts and was so popular it was booked full even on a weekday evening.
Court use fees range by facility and time slot, and for a Hanoi facility,160,000–370,000 VND per houris introduced as an example. Many facilities also set beginner-oriented open-play time slots, letting you play while interacting with locals. In Vietnam it's not unusual to see three generations of a family enjoying it, and as a sport that people with table-tennis or tennis experience can quickly get into, it's spreading across generations. If you try it while also test-hitting, you can buy after finding the paddle that fits you.
SourceBizmatch, "A Communication Tool? A Family Sport? — Vietnam's Pickleball Situation"(2024)
"Test-hit locally → buy the model you like at a physical store or online → bring it back as carry-on" is the royal-road route with few failures and an easy-to-read total cost.
FAQ
Can I buy directly from Vietnamese e-commerce sites from Japan?
Local e-commerce like Shopee is mainly domestic Vietnam delivery, and whether it ships directly to Japan differs by shop. It's realistic to receive it locally while traveling or to choose a shop that supports international shipping.
Can a paddle bought in Vietnam be used in Japanese tournaments too?
If you plan to use it in official tournaments, check before buying whether the model is listed on USA Pickleball's approval list. For leisure or practice use, you can use it without issue.
If buying while traveling, what timing is recommended?
The recommended flow is to first try playing and test-hitting at a local court, get a sense of the model that fits you, then buy at a physical store or online. On returning home, you can put it in a suitcase and bring it back as carry-on.
Summary: Buying in Vietnam Is "Try, Compare, and Bring Back"
Vietnam is one of the world's leading growth markets for pickleball, and buying gear locally has benefits on both price and selection. The ways to buy are three routes: physical stores (Decathlon, etc.), online (Shopee, Lazada, etc.), and specialist communities. Bringing things back to Japan is basically carry-on, and if the quantity is large you can use EMS too.
Local brands are a rich set of options — Kamito, Facolos, Beesoul, VNi, and Sypik. Trying to play at a court during your stay and buying after finding the one paddle that fits you is a highly satisfying way to buy. If you have travel or a business trip planned, be sure to peek into the local shops.
Related Articles Worth Reading
- The Complete Guide to Pickleball Brands in the Growth Market of Vietnam | Introducing the Leading Makers
- Vietnam's pickleball expanding in Asia | The current state of its spread and its outlook
- How to Buy Facolos Paddles From Japan | The Complete Sourcing Guide
- A Thorough Review of the Vietnamese Brand VNi Pickleball Paddle | How Good Is It Really?
- The Detailed Kamito Pickleball Paddle Guide | Performance, Technology and How to Choose
Related Articles
