(AFP, Hanoi) Pickleball is rapidly gaining popularity in Vietnam, but its piercing paddle sounds have sparked public discontent. Residents have lodged complaints and petitions urging authorities to restrict play hours in order to reduce the noise's impact on daily life.
According to studies, Vietnam has the second highest demand for pickleball in Southeast Asia after Malaysia, and the noise problem is particularly severe in major cities. Nguyen Hoa, a resident living near a court in the northeastern suburbs of Hanoi, said that people play even at midnight, making it difficult for her to sleep.
Lin Qing, a manager in Ho Chi Minh City, claims the noise from the courts has already caused some dormitory tenants to move out. “The sound of paddles striking balls, the cheers, and the shouting are physically and mentally exhausting.”
A survey by the Asian Pro Pickleball Tour shows approximately 16 million people in Vietnam participate in pickleball. However, rapid urbanization and population concentration have made noise problems increasingly prominent. United Nations statistics indicate that Ho Chi Minh City has become one of Asia’s noisiest cities, while the sound of pickleball hits is louder and sharper than that of tennis or badminton.
The Vietnamese government has issued nationwide noise control regulations, especially targeting nighttime noise, but residents report that the commotion near some courts often goes unmanaged. The state-run VTC news network pointed out that persistent paddle sounds may lead to increased stress, sleep disturbances, and cardiovascular health risks, drawing great public and government attention.