Vietnam sports equipment imports grew 82.8% over two years, KOTRA says
Vietnam’s active sports participation rate reached 38.2% in 2025, driving an 18.6% growth in the national sportswear market over a two-year period, according to a report published on September 28 by the KOTRA Ho Chi Minh Trade Office.
Market Growth and Surging Import Valuations
The expanding appetite for health management and social interaction has propelled Vietnam’s sportswear market from 18,158,000,000 Vietnamese dong in 2023 to 21,532,000,000 dong in 2025, equal to roughly $862.10 million, per Euromonitor figures cited in the report. Total sports equipment imports under HS code 9506 grew 82.8% over the same two-year span, climbing from $1,821.00 million in 2023 to $3,328.90 million in 2025 according to Global Trade Atlas data. While that trade classification covers a broad range of goods including rackets, balls, fitness machinery, and golf gear rather than running or pickleball supplies alone, the aggregate numbers reflect a fast-broadening retail base.
Participation Surges Across Running and Pickleball Sectors
Data from the Vietnam Sports Administration under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism shows the regular sports participation rate climbed from 28.3% in 2015 to 34.4% in 2020 and 38.2% in 2025. Running has evolved from an activity for isolated enthusiasts into a mass participation sport. The 67th Tien Phong National Newspaper Marathon held in March drew more than 12,000 registered participants to set a record for the event. The VnExpress-hosted Danang International Marathon in July brought in approximately 13,000 runners, with over 1,000 traveling from 52 foreign countries.
Pickleball has expanded alongside running. The Vietnam Pickleball Federation received official establishment approval from the government in July, and the sport was designated as an official discipline for the 10th Vietnam National Sports Games, with five medal events scheduled for November. Danang also hosted a Pickleball World Cup in September, broadening the sport’s international footprint.
Chinese Manufacturers Lead Vietnam Sports Equipment Imports
Chinese manufacturers captured the largest share of Vietnam’s sports equipment imports in 2025, supplying $181.50 million worth of goods or 54.52% of the total market, representing a 30.11% year-over-year increase.
Because market expansion does not translate into automatic sales growth for Korean manufacturers facing competition from Chinese goods and established global brands, market analysts suggest firms must adapt product lines to local climate conditions and fitness habits while pairing experiential retail methods with online platforms.