Vietnam’s home advantage has been the most impressive story of the Pickleball World Cup in Da Nang, and the host nation has dominated the tournament. Vietnamese talent is even more impressive in the men’s singles competition where the country has developed itself as a dominant force and it is guaranteed another gold medal in the near future.
The tournament has already been a huge show for Vietnamese pickleball, and the host nation has already won almost 150 medals that include 66 gold, 51 silver and 33 bronze so far. The United States is far behind at 16 medals. Vietnam's strong performance on home soil and its international status in the sport shows.
The men’s singles draw has perhaps provided the clearest indicator of Vietnam’s dominance. Three of the four semifinalists were Vietnamese, giving supporters at home a lot to cheer as Ly Hoang Nam, Phuc Huynh and Quang Duong continued their campaigns. Bulgaria's Martin Stanchev was the only player from outside Vietnam to make it to the last four.
Stanchev achieved his semifinal place despite challenges such as Brandon Lane and APP singles champion Ronan Camron. His presence prevented an all-Vietnamese semifinal line-up, but the Bulgarian's run eventually came to an end against Phuc Huynh.
Huynh had one of the best performances of the competition and reached the final. He defeated Zachary Grabovic, Drake Palm and Nguyen Viet Hoang before securing his place in the final. His semifinal win over Stanchev was another impressive achievement that vindicated his status as one of Vietnam's leading men's singles players.
Huynh has already established an impressive record in Vietnamese pickleball. He won the Vietnam Open and Vietnam Cup double in 2025, and his performance in Da Nang has been another important one in his career. His consistency and ability to perform under pressure have made him a player to watch throughout the tournament.
Ly Hoang Nam has also had a great run on the other side of the draw. The former tennis player has much experience in professional tennis and has taken that competitive mindset and turned it into pickleball. Hoang Nam won Wimbledon boys' doubles titles with Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal in 2015, which is one of the most memorable achievements in his sport.
His pickleball career has also gained momentum. Hoang Nam won the Hangzhou Cup and Hanoi Cup PPA Tour Asia titles to make himself a major player in the Asian game. Making it to the World Cup final is another high point for him as he is now looking to get a world title.
Quang Duong, too, plays a key role in Vietnam’s impressive pickleball rise. Widely regarded as one of the country's biggest stars, Duong is a member of the PPA Tour in the United States and has established himself as Asia’s No. 1 men’s singles player. His place in the semifinal highlighted the extraordinary depth available to the host nation.
However, Duong’s campaign ended in a bad way when he suffered a wrist injury. His injury opened the door for Hoang Nam to reach the final and set up an all-Vietnamese championship match against Huynh.
The Vietnamese flag will be raised after the men’s singles competition, after all, regardless of the gold medal winner. For the host nation, it’s another indication of its incredible strength at the World Cup.
This all-Vietnamese final is also significant because it shows the depth in Vietnam that is getting wider without the need to depend on one star. Vietnam is also an example that its success is built on a wider set of talent: Hoang Nam, Huynh and Duong are making their mark.
Playing in front of a home crowd in Da Nang has definitely added another dimension to the Vietnamese challenge. Local support from fans at the stadium has created an energetic atmosphere, while the country's players have responded with performances across multiple events.
Vietnam’s tournament could signal the start of pickleball in the country. The sport has taken off rapidly internationally and Vietnam’s performance at the World Cup could strengthen the local talent pool and the local fans’ attention. The performances of established players and new players represent the first signs of the country’s growing presence in international pickleball.
The men's singles final will thus be much more than just a fight for another medal. It will be a celebration of Vietnamese pickleball and its spectacular performance on home soil. With Huynh and Hoang Nam set to face each other, Vietnam will win the gold medal. The only question is which player will stand on top of the podium.
However, for the host country, the result is already a victory. Vietnam has demonstrated its depth, quality and competitive strength throughout the Pickleball World Cup, and the men's singles final provides another opportunity for the country’s players to showcase their growing influence in the sport.
