Pickleball Getaways Announces First Asia Tour: Vietnam 2026
The retreat company co-founded by Ben Johns and Dekel Bar expands into Asia with an eight-day Vietnam tour in February 2026, marking the first major pickleball vacation provider to enter the Asian market.
Pickleball Getaways, the travel company co-founded by professional players Ben Johns and Dekel Bar, has announced its first Asia tour with an eight-day trip to Vietnam scheduled for February 24 through March 3, 2026. The expansion marks a significant milestone for pickleball tourism as the first major retreat provider to enter the Asian market.
The Vietnam tour will be based at the New World Hoiana Beach Resort, a five-star property located along Vietnam's central coast near Da Nang. The resort features eight permanent pickleball courts, split evenly between indoor and outdoor facilities, providing players with options regardless of weather conditions.
Participants will receive more than nine hours of coaching and instruction from Dekel Bar, who currently ranks among the top players on the PPA Tour. Bar holds a number 11 ranking in Men's Doubles and number 6 in Mixed Doubles, bringing elite-level expertise to the retreat format. The programming includes pro exhibitions, drilling sessions, and skill-based play organized by level.
The pricing structure offers single occupancy at $3,680 and double occupancy at $5,960 total, or $2,980 per person. A deposit of $1,200 for single or $1,800 for double occupancy secures a spot, with the balance due by October 26, 2025. The package includes ground transportation between Da Nang International Airport and the resort, deluxe ocean view accommodations, guided cultural excursions, and group social events.
Pickleball Getaways launched in 2018 when Bar and Johns recognized an opportunity to combine professional instruction with destination travel. The company has grown from a single annual trip to more than a dozen annual departures across Mexico, Costa Rica, Croatia, Slovenia, Portugal, and Spain. The Mayan Riviera near Cancun remains their most popular destination, with multiple trips scheduled each year.
Bar's background informs the company's approach to destination selection. Before transitioning to pickleball, he competed on the ATP tennis tour and reached a career-high ranking of 580. His family operates a travel business in Israel, giving him early exposure to hospitality logistics and destination evaluation. He has described the site selection process as combining court quality, local experiences, and practical travel considerations.
Asia represents a natural expansion target given the region's growing pickleball infrastructure. Vietnam in particular has seen court construction accelerate over the past two years, with clubs and resorts adding dedicated facilities to meet demand from both local players and international visitors. The New World Hoiana's decision to install eight permanent courts reflects this broader investment trend.
For players considering the Vietnam tour, visa requirements apply but the process is straightforward through the e-visa system. Travelers departing from North America should plan to leave on February 23 to arrive on February 24 for the welcome dinner. The resort's coastal location offers beach access and spa amenities for non-playing hours.
Registration opened in late 2025 and spots are expected to fill based on the company's track record with international tours. Players interested in the first Asia offering can find booking details through the Pickleball Getaways website.
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