The Long Haul to the Pickleball World Cup
By The Pickleball Weekly Health & Wellness Staff • September 2, 2026 • 6 min read
Preparing for a 20-plus-hour journey to Vietnam
GETTING TO DA Nang, Vietnam, from the East Coast of the United States is not a simple flight across the country. Depending on the departure city, connection and length of the layover, travelers can expect the journey to take roughly 20 to 28 hours, and sometimes longer.
There are no nonstop flights from the East Coast to Da Nang. Travelers typically connect through international hubs such as Hong Kong, Seoul, Taipei, Tokyo, Singapore, Dubai or Doha, while some itineraries enter Vietnam through Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City before continuing to Da Nang.
For those heading to the 2026 Pickleball World Cup, the challenge is not simply getting there. After spending much of a day, and potentially longer, in airports and airplanes, players and spectators need to arrive ready to handle a dramatic time change, tropical weather and, for competitors, the physical demands of pickleball.
A little preparation can make a significant difference.
Keep Moving
One of the most important concerns during prolonged air travel is deep vein thrombosis, or DVT, a blood clot that typically develops in a deep vein of the leg. Long periods of sitting and limited movement can increase the risk, making circulation particularly important during a long-haul journey.
Get out of your seat periodically when it is safe to do so and walk through the cabin. While seated, moving your ankles and legs can also help break up long periods of inactivity.
Some travelers may benefit from graduated compression stockings, particularly those with individual risk factors for blood clots. Anyone with a history of DVT, recent surgery, clotting disorders or other medical concerns should speak with a healthcare professional before traveling rather than relying on general travel advice.
A layover can also become an opportunity to move. Instead of spending the entire connection sitting at the gate, walk through the terminal and stretch before getting on the next flight.
Don’t Arrive Depleted
Aircraft cabins are extremely dry, and hours of travel can leave passengers feeling thirsty, tired and uncomfortable. Add alcohol, excessive caffeine and disrupted sleep, and it becomes easy to arrive in Vietnam already feeling depleted.
Drink water regularly throughout the journey and continue hydrating during your connection. Alcohol may be tempting when there are hours to fill at an airport, but it can interfere with sleep and contribute to dehydration.
For pickleball players, hydration becomes even more important after landing. Da Nang’s tropical climate brings heat and high humidity, creating a significant change for travelers arriving from the East Coast. Trying to go directly from a long-haul flight into strenuous exercise can make the adjustment more difficult.
Resetting the Clock
Jet lag may be the most noticeable consequence of traveling to Vietnam. Crossing numerous time zones disrupts the body’s circadian rhythm, potentially affecting sleep, alertness, digestion and concentration.
Begin thinking in terms of Da Nang time during the journey. Once you arrive, exposure to daylight, meals and sleep at appropriate local times can help your body begin adjusting to the new schedule.
Long daytime naps can make the transition more difficult. A short nap may help an exhausted traveler get through the day, but sleeping for hours after arriving can make it harder to sleep that night.
Players should take jet lag particularly seriously. Reaction time, concentration and physical energy all matter on a pickleball court. Arriving with enough time to adjust before competition is preferable to landing and expecting your body to perform normally immediately.
Make the Layover Work for You
A connection after a long trans-Pacific flight does not have to mean several more hours sitting in an airport chair.
Use the time to walk, stretch and hydrate. Travelers facing a lengthy layover may also consider lounge access or an airport transit hotel, depending on the airport and itinerary. A shower, comfortable place to rest and chance to get away from a crowded terminal can make the second half of a very long journey considerably more comfortable.
Food choices matter, too. After hours of sitting, a large, heavy meal may not be particularly appealing. Eating lighter during the journey and saving the culinary adventure for Vietnam may make for a more comfortable flight.
The Adjustment Doesn’t End at the Airport
Landing in Da Nang introduces a new set of considerations. Heat, humidity, food and water practices, and mosquito exposure all deserve attention, particularly for international travelers unfamiliar with Central Vietnam.
Travelers should check current official health guidance for Vietnam before departure and make sure routine vaccinations are up to date. Depending on an individual’s itinerary and circumstances, a healthcare professional or travel medicine specialist may recommend additional vaccinations or precautions.
Mosquito-borne illnesses such as dengue are another consideration. Using an appropriate insect repellent and taking precautions against mosquito bites should be part of the travel plan.
Food and water choices also require some awareness. Travelers should use reliable drinking-water sources and be thoughtful about where and what they eat, particularly during the first days of the trip.
Give Yourself Time
Perhaps the biggest mistake a player can make is treating arrival in Da Nang as the end of the journey.
Your suitcase may have arrived, but your body is still catching up.
After more than 20 hours of travel, interrupted sleep and a major time-zone change, immediately scheduling a hard practice session or spending hours walking in the heat may not be the best introduction to Vietnam. An easier first day gives the body an opportunity to rehydrate, sleep and begin acclimating to the local climate.
The same applies to spectators. The World Cup may be the reason for the trip, but there is little benefit to packing every available hour with activity if exhaustion takes over halfway through the week.
Traveling halfway around the world to experience pickleball on an international stage should be memorable for the right reasons. Move during the flight, stay hydrated, use the layover to your advantage and give yourself time to adjust once you arrive.
The Pickleball World Cup may begin when the first ball is served in Da Nang, but for travelers coming from the East Coast, preparing to enjoy it starts long before takeoff.
The Pickleball Weekly Health & Wellness Staff covers health, fitness, nutrition, recovery, and performance topics that help players stay active and play their best. With contributors who explore everything from injury prevention and conditioning to mental wellness, healthy aging, nutrition, and recovery, the team is committed to providing practical insights that support players both on and off the court.
Read the full magazine issue! Click below, then click on the X in the lower bar to enjoy a full screen view!
