Most advice on what to wear for pickleball is written for a US summer: hot, sure, but usually dry. Vietnam is different. In Saigon at 7am it can already be 29°C with the humidity above 80%, and your shirt is soaked before the first game is over. The right kit makes the difference between playing three games and playing one. Here's what to wear on court in Vietnam, what to bring from home, and what's easy to buy when you get here.
The short version
Shirts: light-coloured, moisture-wicking synthetics. No cotton on court. Pack one per session, or plan to use a laundry.
Shoes: bring your own court shoes, especially if you're above a US men's 10 or women's 9. Big sizes are hard to find here.
Sun: a vented cap or visor, SPF 50 and sun sleeves if you burn easily. The UV is strong even at 8am.
Hanoi in winter is the exception: December to February mornings can feel cold. Bring a light layer.
Off court: something with sleeves and below the knee for temples, and a dry shirt for coffee afterwards.
What Vietnam's climate means for your kit
Vietnam has three climates, and they matter for what you pack:
- The south (Saigon, Phu Quoc): 30 to 34°C all year, humidity usually 70 to 85%. Dry from December to April, with afternoon downpours from May to October.
- The centre (Da Nang, Hoi An): hot and fairly dry from February to August, often 35°C in June and July. Rainy from September to December.
- The north (Hanoi): hot and sticky from May to September, pleasant in spring and autumn, and genuinely cool in winter.
That's why locals play from 5:30am, before the sun is high, and again in the evening. Many clubs in the south and centre have covered or indoor courts, which keep the sun off but not the humidity. Sweat doesn't evaporate well when the air is already wet, so the clothes you'd wear at home on a hot day don't work as well here. If you're still choosing when to come, our month-by-month guide covers the weather region by region.
Shirts: the one thing to get right
If you only change one thing, change your shirt. Cotton soaks up sweat and holds it, and in Vietnam's humidity a cotton tee turns heavy and clingy within twenty minutes. Look for:
- Moisture-wicking polyester or a poly blend, the thinner the better. Mesh panels under the arms and down the back help a lot.
- Light colours. White, pale grey, light blue. Dark shirts soak up the sun on outdoor courts.
- A loose fit. Air moving between you and the fabric keeps you cooler than a tight compression top.
- More shirts than you think. Plenty of players here change shirts halfway through a session. One for every game day is a good rule, or two if you play long.
The good news: laundry in Vietnam is cheap and quick. Most hotels and every neighbourhood have a laundry that washes by the kilo and returns it the next day, so you don't need to pack for the whole trip.
Shorts, skirts and skorts
Same rules: lightweight, quick-drying and stretchy. Built-in liners stop chafing, which humidity makes much worse. Pockets that hold a ball are worth having. Avoid heavy gym shorts and anything denim-like: they stay wet for hours. If you tend to chafe, pack an anti-chafe balm. It's one of the few things that's harder to find here.
Shoes: pack your own
This is the item we'd tell every visitor to bring from home. Vietnam has plenty of sports shops, but larger sizes are hard to find, especially above a US men's 10 or women's 9, and you don't want to break in new shoes on holiday.
- Court shoes, not running shoes. Most courts here are hard acrylic outdoors and wood or PU indoors. You need lateral support for all the side-to-side movement.
- Non-marking soles. Some indoor clubs check.
- A mesh upper breathes better in the heat.
- Dry them overnight. Take the insoles out and stand them in front of the air-con or a fan. Wet shoes the next morning are how blisters start.
If you want to play but hate the idea of packing shoes, bring them in your carry-on anyway. Losing a checked bag with your only court shoes in it is a sad way to start a pickleball trip.
Hats, socks, sleeves and the sun
You'll notice that Vietnamese players cover up: sun sleeves, caps, sometimes a light face cover. That's not fashion, it's experience. The UV index here is often 10 or higher by mid-morning, even when it's cloudy.
- A vented cap or visor. A visor lets heat escape from the top of your head. Pick one with a sweatband.
- Sun sleeves. Cheap, light, and they keep your arms cooler in direct sun. Easy to buy locally.
- SPF 50, water-resistant. Reapply between sessions. Bring your usual brand if you have sensitive skin.
- Thin synthetic or merino socks. Cotton socks plus humidity equals blisters.
- A small towel and a sweatband. A wet grip is the fastest way to lose control of your paddle.
- Sunglasses for outdoor courts, ideally ones that don't fog up.
Kit is only half of it. Drink before you start, bring electrolytes, and take a break in the shade between games. We cover the other half in our guide to playing pickleball in Vietnam.
What to wear for pickleball: women over 50
This is one of the most common questions we get, and the answer is simple: wear what keeps you comfortable and protected, and ignore everything else. A few things that work especially well in Vietnam:
- A long-sleeved UPF top in a thin, wicking fabric. It's cooler than bare arms in strong sun and saves a lot of sunscreen.
- A skort or shorts with a liner and a pocket. Knee-length is fine and blends in easily here.
- Supportive shoes with good cushioning. Hard courts are tough on knees and feet.
- A visor rather than a cap if you find caps too hot.
You'll be in good company: plenty of Vietnamese regulars are in their 60s and 70s, and many of them play every morning. Our guide to Vietnam for seniors covers pacing and comfort for the rest of the trip.
What men should pack
Less than you'd think. Three or four wicking shirts, two pairs of lightweight shorts, court shoes, thin socks, a cap and a towel will cover a week of mornings with one trip to the laundry. If you sweat heavily, add a spare shirt for mid-session and a headband. Leave the heavy warm-up gear at home unless you're heading to Hanoi in winter.
Hanoi in winter: the exception
From December to February, Hanoi mornings are often in the low to mid teens (°C), damp and grey. It feels colder than the number suggests. Bring a light zip-up top or a thin long-sleeved layer for the first few minutes, and leggings or track trousers if you feel the cold. You'll take them off after a game. Our Hanoi pickleball guide has the clubs, and Vietnam in December 2026 has the full weather picture.
Coming to play in Vietnam?
Every trip we plan is private: just you, your partner or a few friends, on your dates. We book the courts, sort paddles and balls, and time your games before the heat.
See the tripsAfter the game: dressing for the rest of the day
A morning on court in Vietnam usually ends the same way: a plastic stool, an iced coffee, and a lot of talking. It's worth packing a dry shirt in your bag for this bit. Nobody wants to sit in a soaked shirt under the air-con.
If the day includes temples or pagodas, cover your shoulders and knees. A light shirt with sleeves and trousers or a long skirt are fine. Our Vietnam etiquette guide has the rest of the unwritten rules.
Leave some room in your bag
One honest note. The shirt you wear to coffee doesn't need to be technical. It just needs to be dry and, ideally, a bit of a conversation starter. That's why we started printing our own tees here in Vietnam, with jokes that only really land once you've played here: Pho Real, One More Game, Coffee First, Dinks Later, Xin Chào, Wanna Dink? They're for after the game, not during it, and they make a better souvenir for your club back home than another fridge magnet. If you're curious, have a look at the designs. We bring them to your hotel or the court during your trip.
A simple packing list for a pickleball trip to Vietnam
Bring from home:
- Court shoes (in your carry-on)
- Your paddle, if you have a favourite
- 3 to 4 wicking shirts, 2 pairs of shorts or skorts
- Thin sports socks
- Your usual sunscreen and anti-chafe balm
- A light layer for Hanoi from December to February
Easy to buy here:
- Sun sleeves, caps, towels and headbands
- Balls and overgrips
- Extra shirts in regular sizes (Vietnamese sizes run one to two sizes smaller)
- Electrolyte drinks, at every corner shop
Not sure whether to bring a paddle? You don't have to: most clubs rent them, and on our trips paddles are always sorted. See what a session costs in Da Nang or Saigon.
The bottom line
What to wear for pickleball in Vietnam comes down to three things: wicking fabrics in light colours, your own court shoes, and serious sun protection. Pack fewer clothes than you think and use the laundry. Bring a layer for Hanoi in winter. And keep a dry shirt in your bag, because the coffee after the game is half the point. If you're still deciding where to go, read why Vietnam belongs on your pickleball vacation list.