Vietnam’s First Major DUPR Tournament: An International Pickleball Milestone

January 28, 2025
6-8 Minutes

Vietnam’s pickleball scene just reached a new level with the successful Facolos Champion 2025 tournament, held on January 19th. This event marked Vietnam's first large-scale tournament with all results submitted to DUPR, attracting over 300 players across multiple categories. Organizer Long Hoang Nguyen played a crucial role in bringing this event to life, introducing international standards to Vietnam's rapidly growing pickleball community.

DUPR’s Role in Shaping Vietnam’s Global Reputation

The adoption of the DUPR system, was one of the defining features of the Facolos Champion 2025. This was a landmark decision for Vietnam’s pickleball community, marking the country’s first fully DUPR integrated event. 

“Adopting 100% DUPR was a significant milestone for competitive pickleball in Vietnam. DUPR brought transparency, fairness, and professionalism to our tournaments. With DUPR, players can compare their skills with athletes worldwide, driving them to improve,” Nguyen explains.

Challenges of Organizing a Large-Scale Event

Organizing an event of this size was no small feat, and Nguyen faced numerous challenges along the way. From securing the right venue to managing player registrations and sponsorships, every detail required careful planning. One of the most significant obstacles was integrating the DUPR system.

“Organizing such a large-scale tournament required meticulous planning,” Nguyen shares. “The most significant challenge was collecting DUPR IDs due to the lack of a Vietnamese platform integrated with the DUPR API. To overcome this, we created a simplified online registration form, provided detailed instructions, and regularly updated information on our communication channels.”

Fostering a Competitive, Yet Supportive Environment

A core goal of the Facolos Champion 2025 was to create a competitive atmosphere that was also supportive, particularly for newcomers. By offering multiple categories, the tournament allowed participants to compete within their skill levels, ensuring that everyone had a fair chance. 

Nguyen’s strategy for fostering this balance between competitiveness and camaraderie was evident in the event’s organization. Players from all backgrounds had the opportunity to learn from each other while enjoying the thrill of competition.

“We aimed to create a healthy competitive environment by designing the tournament with various skill levels, allowing players to choose suitable categories,” Nguyen says. “Collaborating with pickleball clubs and sponsors expanded our reach and enhanced tournament quality.”

Looking to the Future

Vietnam’s pickleball community is rapidly growing, with immense potential for further expansion. Organizer Long Hoang Nguyen notes that, compared to other Southeast Asian countries, the Vietnamese pickleball scene is exceptionally passionate.

The success of the Facolos Champion 2025 sets a new standard for future pickleball events in Vietnam. Nguyen hopes this tournament will not only inspire future competitions but also attract sponsors and players from around the world.

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