sports
The Sports category covers industry trends, market growth, and investment in professional and recreational sports. It explores sports infrastructure, sponsorship deals, media rights, and emerging trends, providing insights into consumer engagement, tourism, and global sports business dynamics.
Vietnam Golf Industry 2026: Growth, Key Players & Destinations
Vietnam’s golf industry has experienced significant growth, emerging as a key player in Asia’s golfing scene. The country’s diverse landscapes have attracted international interest, leading to the development of numerous world-class golf courses designed by renowned architects like Jack Nicklaus and Greg Norman. Key golfing hubs include Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Da Nang, and coastal regions like Nha Trang and Cam Ranh….
Vietnam’s Health and Fitness Industry 2026: Trends, Growth, Opportunities
Vietnam’s health and fitness industry is growing rapidly, driven by rising income levels, increasing health awareness, and urbanisation. Gyms and fitness centres, both large international chains and local establishments, are expanding to meet this demand.
Toys / sporting goods from Vietnam up 11.14 percent in December, USA / Japan top buyers
Vietnam exported toys and sports requisites; parts and accessories to the tune of US$942 million in December, up from US$848 million in November, a change of 11.14 percent, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Toys & sporting goods exports from Vietnam down 9.56 percent in October, to USA down 4 percent MoM
Vietnam exported toys and sporting goods to the tune of US$962 million in October, down 9.56 percent over September, according to preliminary data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Toy and sporting goods exports from Vietnam down 1.55 percent in September 2025, USA and Japan top buyers
Vietnam’s exports of toys and sports requisites, including parts and accessories, dipped 1.55 percent month-on-month to US$1.06 billion in September 2025, according to the latest data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
Manufacturing: Vietnam toy and sporting goods exports edge down 1.56 percent in August
Vietnam’s exports of toys and sports requisites totalled US$1.08 billion in August, down 1.56 percent from July, according to Vietnam’s General Department of Customs. Year-to-date shipments reached US$5.49 billion.
Manufacturing: Vietnam’s top export destinations for toys and sports requisites (July 2025)
Vietnam’s exports of toys and sports requisites experienced a substantial surge in July 2025, reaching $1,097,125,242, a 27.85 percent increase compared to June 2025, according to the latest data from Vietnam’s General Department of Customs.
FIFA launches tender for World Cup 2026 media rights for Vietnam
At this early stage it’s not clear how much the broadcast rights might cost, but in football mad Vietnam they are likely worth a lot. Notably in 2018, Vietnam’s VTV broadcaster paid an estimated US$12 million and for the 2022 World Cup paid US$14 million…
FIFA bans Vietnam football club from new signings over unpaid wages
Of note, Guirassy, was due to be paid out three months’ salary, about US$19,500, but the club’s bank accounts were frozen over unpaid taxes. These were eventually cleared, however, by that time Guirassy’s visa had lapsed and a renewal had not gone through so the bank was unable to process the transaction. At this point with fines and interest the club was up for an additional US$8,400. It’s still not clear when this will be paid.
Olympics kicks off but Vietnam won’t be watching with no broadcast rights
Notably, Vietnam was relatively late securing the rights to the Tokyo Olympics with a deal only made two-days before the opening ceremony. A last minute deal this time around, however, seems unlikely–it would be very last minute. That said, it’s not clear there is a lot of interest in Vietnam in the Olympics anyway and it could be that cash strapped local media outlets are saving their money for sports, namely soccer, that are hugely popular in Vietnam and subsequently command much bigger audiences…
Esports match fixing highlights breadth of corruption in sports in Vietnam
Professional sports leagues in Vietnam have struggled to develop on the back of limited investment and low pay for sports players that has resulted in players developing side hustles like match-fixing. More prominently, the Vietnamese Premier League was voted the third most corrupt league in the world back in 2016, and not much has been done to clean up Vietnamese soccer since–As recently as February, five players were charged for match fixing…
Vietnam’s most valuable footballers reveals value in local football league
Vietnam’s most valuable player is half-Czech, half-Vietnamese Filip Nguyen, VN Express is reporting. He’s currently estimated to be worth €600,000 (US$655,700). Of note, Vietnam signed a deal back in September with the Spanish football league, La Liga, to jointly develop the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF). Historically corrupt, and not nearly
Resolution 98 could see sports complex in Ho Chi Minh City finished after 30 years
Resolution 98, which was passed by Vietnam’s National Assembly in June and gives HCMC greater power over the collection and disbursement of taxes, may be a game changer with respect to the Rach Chiec National Sports Complex in HCMC, which was started in 1994, but is still unfinished, Tuoi Tre
Vietnam football club fails to pay staff, players for months
The Ho Chi Minh City Football Club has failed to pay staff and players to the tune of US$1.23 million, VN Express is reporting. The publication is reporting that this sum is made up of salaries and bonuses and dates back as far as last year. Why it matters: This
Vietnam golf courses raking in cash on limited supply
Vietnam could have between 400 to 500 gold courses by 2030, up from 100 at present, VN Express is reporting. This rapid growth is expected as a result of eased investment procedures, according to Ngo Cong Thanh, a former deputy director of the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s planning management
Spanish football league to help develop football in Vietnam
Vietnamnet is reporting that the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) and the Spanish football league (La Liga) have signed an MOU in a first step toward the Spaniards providing training and talent development to the local league. Why it matters: Vietnam loves football but the local league has been plagued by
In today’s Vietnam news: More land for Trump golf course, Hanoi metro awarded Vingroup, Rising bank bond interest rates, GE contract stalled power plant
In today’s Vietnam news: MSCI market review, Russia’s Gazprom abandons LNG plant project, Horror movie making warning, Banking risk analysis, Denmark-VN ethanol cooperation, Work
In today’s Vietnam news: Thailand vs Vietnam tourism, India missile purchase final stages, Airport rail connections Long Thanh, BESS development Northern Vietnam, New US
This is an interview with Chris Walker, a Vietnam Sourcing Expert with Vietnam Factory Tours how rising oil prices and the Middle East crisis are
This is an interview with John Gardner, CEO and Founding Partner, at Optimum Hospitality in Ho Chi Minh City. It covers fuel price impacts on:
This is an interview with Dr Nuno F. Ribeiro, Associate Professor, International Tourism & Hospitality Management at Copenhagen Business College, formerly of RMIT Vietnam. It