Group sports in Hanoi
Football
Football, or soccer, is by far the most popular sport in Hanoi and is enjoyed daily by thousands of people. There are dozens of astroturfs dotted around the city, not to mention many indoor arenas. However, locals will play a game of kick-ups, known as D谩 C岷, wherever there are a few square meters of available space. If you are looking for one of , you could try the fields at Long Bien, Bach Khoa, Dinh Cong, and Phuc Xa. The fees for using these facilities can start at as low as 120,000 VND ($5 USD) per hour, depending on the quality of the surface.
For sponsorship reasons, Vietnam has a professional football league called The V.League 1, or Night Wolf V.League. This is the highest professional football league in Vietnam, controlled by the Vietnam Professional Football Joint Stock Company. It is contested by 14 clubs who play each other on a home and away basis. Foreigners have been recruited to play for the teams, but they have a limit of five per team. If you are looking to watch or participate in club drills, check out , which is another starting point if you wish to get involved with the Hanoi football scene!
Badminton and volleyball
Badminton and volleyball are also among the front runners in Hanoi's sporting circuit. Both of these sports are enjoyed by men and women alike, and wherever you find a sports club in Hanoi, you will almost definitely see these games being enjoyed. Locals tend to improvise with volleyball, typically opting for something that more closely resembles a spherical balloon rather than a traditional ball. Nevertheless, this makes for some amusing spectatorship, and if you are playing, you will probably find it a little easier on the hands. Please be advised that most games will be happening on concrete, so think twice before diving for the ball! is even more accessible to get involved in as there are well over a thousand expats who are active members of this scene. For the latest updates on volleyball get-togethers, you can join the on Facebook.
