There used to be weekend games at the American Club, but it wouldn't be five on five...as they only have a small half court. There are Vietnamese kids who play at the Van Phuc sports complex. In the summer months, you'd have to get there early...like 8am (everybody avoids the heat during the day). I can't vouch for the quality of the games, but there seemed to be plenty of people around playing full court. They rent the court by the hour, so they'd have to let you in the game. It's not just open run. I've also heard that there are games at the Hanoi Amsterdam High School, but I've never seen these.

I'm a bit out of the loop on this, so hopefully somebody more current can give you some specifics.

It seems to be very difficult to get a basketball court to play here in Hanoi. Moreover, people play at the court do not really respect your game or your ball! I am very disappointed! I am willing to pay to play but no where seems to offer. :( sad

There are games on Tuesday and Thursday nights at the Van Phuc sports complex on Van Bao street (near RMIT, the Japanese embassy, Daewoo Hotel, etc.). People usually get there around 7 p.m. and play for an hour or two. It is supposed to be an "open" court, but occasionally a group will claim to have it reserved and will not let you join them. A little patience and friendliness usually takes care of this.

It costs 80,000 VND per hour for the court (to pay for the lights, I guess?) and usually a collection is taken at some point in the evening so one guy doesn't have to foot the bill, but if you are a bad person you can easily get away without paying.

Games are typically full-court, 5-on-5, but it depends on how many people are there and who got there first. I would estimate that it's about 2/3 Vietnamese players, 1/3 foreigners. There are some pretty good players, but the overall level of play is not intimidating.

It's very possible that there are games on other days, or at other times, but it seems Tuesday and Thursday nights are the big ones. I went on a Saturday evening once and there was no one there but little kids.

thanks funboy chow i'll try and check it out on Tues and Thurs if I can make it on time after my last class. I really want to play in some regular pick up games. Hope to see you there sometime. Also, if you know of any regular weekend games that would be great cause I often work late in the evening.

Thanks!

I'd love to play some ball too, so if you want to pick a time to meet up maybe we can get a small group of us to commit to a night.