The Vietnamese expatriate community in Vientiane, Laos, came together through pickleball on 25 October, as the Association of Vietnamese People in Vientiane hosted a community tournament ahead of Vietnam’s Great National Solidarity Day on 18 November. Beyond the competition, the event aimed to strengthen ties among Vietnamese expatriates and celebrate their shared cultural identity.
Key Tournament Highlights:
- The Association of Vietnamese People in Vientiane held the tournament on 25 October to strengthen community ties.
- The event promoted Vietnamese national pride and cultural identity among expatriates in Laos.
- It helped build momentum for two upcoming congresses in early November and late December.
- The Hanoi hometown club team won the championship, followed by Nghe An in second place, while Ha Tinh and Ho Chi Minh City shared third.
More Than a Sport: Strengthening Community Bonds
For the Vietnamese community in Vientiane, the tournament was about more than sporting competition. It provided an opportunity for expatriates to meet, share experiences and strengthen their connections.
Le Anh Duc, Standing Vice Chairman of the Association of Vietnamese People in Vientiane and head of the organising board, said the event served as a platform for community members to build stronger relationships while promoting national pride and Vietnamese cultural identity. The tournament also reflected how pickleball has become a way for Vietnamese expatriates to come together around important national occasions.
In August, the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos, alongside Vietnamese representative agencies and the wider community, held another pickleball tournament to mark the 81st anniversary of the August Revolution and the approaching Vietnamese National Day on 2 September.
Pickleball Tournament Builds Momentum for Upcoming Congresses
Beyond bringing the community together, the 25 October tournament helped build momentum for two important gatherings. By combining sporting activity with community engagement, the tournament supported efforts to strengthen solidarity among Vietnamese expatriates ahead of these events.
The first is the 12th Congress of the Association of Vietnamese People in Vientiane, scheduled for early November. The second is the 4th Congress of the General Association of Vietnamese People in Laos, expected to take place in late December.
Hanoi Club Wins as Eight Teams Compete
Eight teams representing hometown clubs and Vietnamese businesses in Laos participated in the tournament. The competition featured group-stage and knockout matches before the final standings were decided. The Hanoi hometown club team claimed the championship, while the Nghe An hometown club team finished as runners-up. The Ha Tinh and Ho Chi Minh City hometown clubs shared third place.
Beyond crowning the winners, the tournament encouraged physical activity among Vietnamese expatriates and gave the community another chance to connect through sport. The event highlights how pickleball can serve as more than a recreational activity, bringing people together across borders while helping Vietnamese expatriates in Laos maintain their cultural connections and sense of solidarity.
