Sports activities don’t always strike your eyes when you first arrive in Ho Chi Minh city. However, for sports fanatics, you would not want to miss an important game or stay idle in a room. Check out our guide for where to play and watch sports in Ho Chi Minh City.
Football in Ho Chi Minh City
The most popular outdoor sports activity in Ho Chi Minh city
Let’s admit that this worldwide sport is too popular to come into its definition. And without exception, it is the most-watched and played in Ho Chi Minh city. Therefore, it is not difficult for those who would like to seek out some clubs to take part in football games or even compete for a championship.
Clubs for Amateur Football Players in Ho Chi Minh
The Saigon Saints
Founded in 1995, this volleyball club has a great diversity of players coming from European and Asian countries. So if you’re interested in meeting other international friends besides Vietnamese, this is one of the best places for you.
Website: The Saigon Saints
Cost of training: VND 100,000 per session
Contact number: +841227696218
Email: saigonsaints@gmail.com
Saigon Hotshots
More than a football team, Saigon Hotshots club boasts a great social aspect to help those who are new to Ho Chi Minh city. The training session is usually on Tuesdays.
Website: Saigon Hotshots
Contact number: +84902541197
Email: ahou@saigonhotshots.com
Additionally, there are more football clubs following the Starbalm International Football League:
Saigon Raiders ( website: https://www.saigonraiders.com/)
Sporting Saigon ( website: https://www.facebook.com/sportingsaigon/)
Fighting Cocks FC ( website: https://www.facebook.com/fightingcocksvietnam/)
Where to Watch Football in Ho Chi Minh City
Chi Minh city has seen exponential growth in pubs and bars for locals and expats who love football. During every worldwide tournament or important matches of the Vietnamese national team, these places will be equipped with television or projector, where most football lovers gather to enjoy the game.
Guru Sports Bar
Address: 10 Ky Dong, Ward 9, District 3
Opening hour: 10 PM – 1 AM
Average price: VND 50,000 – VND 300,000
The Orient Pub Saigon
Address: 41 Vo Truong Toan, An Phu Ward, District 2
Opening hour: 9 AM – 1 AM
Average price: VND 100,00 – VND 500,000
Blue Gecko Bar
Address: 31 Ly Tu Trong, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1
Opening hour: 4 PM – 2 AM
Average price: VND 50,000 – VND 220,000
You can also try to get a ticket for a live match at Thong Nhat Stadium in District 10. There are quite regular matches between the city’s team and other teams around Vietnam here. For more information, please check the website of the Saigon F.C.
In every football tournament such as the World Cup or the Asian Cup, most street vendors also prepare the television or projectors for everybody to enjoy the matches. So it is not difficult for you to find a place around the corners of Ho Chi Minh City to gorge on exquisite street food and drink as well as enjoy sports with the Vietnamese.
Basketball in Ho Chi Minh City
The Vietnamese have a great passion for basketball
Despite being average in height, the Vietnamese still have a passion for basketball. The rise of basketball in Vietnam is due to both institutional efforts and social media’s inspiration. Since the Vietnamese television started to broadcast live NBA games in 2015, basketball in Vietnam has taken the leap forward in the city’s community.
Where to Play Basketball in Ho Chi Minh City
Sports Skills Academy
This is a multidisciplinary sports center where you can play football, tennis, swimming, and chess besides basketball. Moreover, it usually organizes tournaments and events to connect sports lovers around Ho Chi Minh City.
Address: 216 Tran Nao, Binh An, District 2
Opening hour: 9 AM – 6 PM ( Monday from Friday)
Website: Sports Skills Academy
AIS Sports Center
Though located inside the Australian International School, this sports center is open to the public. There are also foreigners coming here to play volleyball on a regular basis.
Address: 36 Thao Dien, District 2
Opening hour: 8 AM – 9 PM
Average price: VND 200,000 for 60 minutes and VND 230,000 for 90 minutes
Website: AIS Sports Center
Saigon Sports Club
Address: 514B Huynh Tan Phat, Binh Thuan Ward, District 7
Opening hour: 6:30 AM – 8:45 PM from Monday to Friday and 8 AM – 5 PM on Saturday
Website: Saigon Sports Club
The Saigon Heat Basketball Team – Let’s Catch A Game with Them!
The team always draw the crowds during their matches
The Saigon Heat is a professional basketball team representing Vietnam to play in ASEAN League. You can buy a ticket to enjoy their play at CIS Arena District 7. The ticket price may vary depending on each season tournament.
For more information, you can send a direct message to their facebook fanpage!
Mixed Martial Arts in Ho Chi Minh City
A perfect combination of different techniques
This is a hybrid combat sport that allows us to incorporate various techniques from karate, boxing, wrestling, and judo.
Where to Practice Mixed Martial Arts in Ho Chi Minh City
Saigon Sports Club
The facilities in Saigon Sports Club is very modern and high-class with top-of-the-line equipment, which offers extensive training and improvement.
Address: 514B Huynh Tan Phat, Binh Thuan Ward, District 7
Opening Hour: 6:30 AM – 8:45 PM from Monday to Friday and 8 AM – 5 PM on Saturday
Price: Depends on the membership
Website: Saigon Sports Club
Vovinam in Ho Chi Minh City
Mr. Nguyen Loc invented this traditional Vietnamese sport in 1935, but it only got public attention until 1938. This kind of sport involves the moves of nearly entire body parts, including elbow, hands, leg knee. You can check out some clubs below for teaching Vovinam in Ho Chi Minh City.
Hoa Lu Vovinam Club
Address: Hoa Lu Stadium, 2 Dinh Tien Hoang, Ward Da Kao, District 1
Course Fee: VND 200,000 per month
Contact number: +84903111952
Sporting Center District 2
Address: 8 Thao Dien, Thao Dien Ward, District 2
Contact number: +84989035861
Cung Van Hoa Lao Dong District 1
Address: 55B Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, District 1
Contact number: +8483930 7512
Tennis in Ho Chi Minh City
A fun activity with friends and family
It will be a significant oversight if tennis is not included as one of the sports activities deserving to enjoy in Ho Chi Minh City. Although tennis is not as common as football, some sites will give you a warm welcome.
Tennis National Academy of Public Administration
Address: 179 Cao Thang, Ward 12, District 10
Opening hour: 5 AM – 11 PM
Contact number: +8498 576 85 85
Lan Anh Tennis Club
Address: 291 Cach Mang Thang Tam, Ward 12, District 10
Opening hour: 6 AM – 10 PM
Contact number: +8428 3862 7144
VITA Tennis Academy
Address: Duong so 47, Thao Dien, District 2
Opening hour: 3 PM – 7 PM from Monday to Saturday
Contact number: +8493 843 82 08
Lesser-known Sports in Ho Chi Minh City
Rugby: Saigon Rugby Club is a group of expatriates and Vietnamese who love playing rugby gather together to build the team for games. Everybody is welcomed here, regardless of gender and age.
Golf: It is not a huge sport in Ho Chi Minh city, but the demand for this sport has become higher these years. The website GolfAsian contains every information about location, courses as well as the fee and other things that you may need.
More Places to Enjoy Sports in Ho Chi Minh City
Yoga studios in Ho Chi Minh City.
Climbing gyms in Ho Chi Minh City.
Vietnamese traditional sports.
Some Stadiums to Enjoy Sports in Ho Chi Minh City
- Thong Nhat Stadium: 138 Dao Duy Tu, Ward 6, District 10
- Hoa Lu Stadium: 2 Dinh Tien Hoang, District 1
- Phu Tho Sports Stadium: 221 Ly Thuong Kiet, Ward 9, District 11
Indoor rock-climbing in Ho Chi Minh
Local Tips for Enjoying Sports in Ho Chi Minh City
- Overcome the language barrier: it may be a bit challenging because not all Vietnamese are fluent in English. However, the people in Saigon, especially the young, are very warm-hearted and open to most everyone and they surely welcome you to their team. All you need to do is ask.
- Learn some short Vietnamese phrases to communicate with your teammates during the game.
- Don’t forget to use sunscreen: the heat and intense sunlight in Ho Chi Minh City may impede the outdoor fun. Put on some sunscreen to enjoy sports in Ho Chi Minh City.
- The less you bring, the better you feel: it’s not a good idea to bring valuable things to your game, or especially if you’re going to bars to watch sports.
Conclusion On Our Guide to Enjoy Sports in Ho Chi Minh City
As you can see, finding some sports in Ho Chi Minh city is not a challenge at all. There are places cater for expats and tourists, or feel free to join the locals for more thrills. The dynamic metropolis won’t let your sports spirit down.
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