Not Hong Kong: a Vietnam International Series
The name on this page needs clearing up. The tournament in Hue is the FELET Vietnam International Series, not the Hong Kong Open, which is a much bigger BWF World Tour event held in Hong Kong. The two get mixed up in search results. This guide covers the Hue tournament only.
The dates as announced are December 1–6, 2026. That puts the opening day on a Tuesday and the last day on Sunday. At BWF tournaments, Sunday is normally finals day.
What an International Series looks like inside the hall
An International Series is a smaller event than the televised World Tour. It is part of the BWF’s Continental Circuit and gives out world ranking points. The fields usually mix rising juniors, national-squad players building their rankings and experienced regional pros. You won’t see many household names. You will see players fighting hard for points that shape their whole season.
Expect the five standard disciplines:
- Men’s singles
- Women’s singles
- Men’s doubles
- Women’s doubles
- Mixed doubles
In the early rounds, several courts run at once on green mats under bright overhead lights. You can turn your head and follow a different match. By the weekend the schedule narrows to fewer courts, and the semi-finals and finals get the hall’s full attention.
Venue and tickets
The verified facts place the tournament in Hue City but do not name the hall. Entry arrangements for International Series events are handled locally by the organiser, so the venue and any ticket details sit with the organiser rather than a global platform. The BWF lists its sanctioned tournaments on its tournament software site. Draws and match results for events at this level are normally posted there.
Watching from the stands in Hue
Badminton crowds follow a few clear habits. Learn them and you’ll fit straight in.
- Stay still during rallies. Players are reading a fast shuttle against the ceiling, so people walk to their seats only between points.
- No flash. Flash photography distracts players, and officials at sanctioned events ask spectators not to use it.
- Cheer between points, not during them. Vietnamese fans get loud for home players, but the noise comes once the shuttle hits the floor.
- Carry Vietnamese dong in cash. Street food stalls, cyclo drivers and small cafés around Hue mostly take cash. Tipping isn’t customary, though rounding up is appreciated.
Spectators who want to see the strongest players usually save their visit for the weekend. Those who like to wander between courts and spot future talent tend to go during the busy weekday rounds.
Getting to Hue in December
Hue sits on the Perfume River in central Vietnam. Phu Bai International Airport is about 15 km south of the city, with domestic flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Hue Railway Station is a stop on the North–South line, and from Da Nang it’s a scenic run along the coast.
Many visitors fly into Da Nang instead, which has more international routes. From there it’s a drive of roughly 100 km north, either through the Hai Van tunnel or over the Hai Van Pass.
December comes at the end of central Vietnam’s rainy season. Days are cool and often grey, and heavy downpours are common. Travellers usually pack a light rain jacket and shoes that can cope with wet streets.
Between matches
Hue rewards the hours between sessions. The Imperial City, the walled Nguyen-dynasty citadel on the north bank, is the obvious first stop. Allow at least half a day for its gates, courtyards and moats.
Nearby options:
- Thien Mu Pagoda, the seven-storey tower upriver on the Perfume River
- Dong Ba Market, Hue’s main market, just east of the citadel
- The royal tombs of Tu Duc, Minh Mang and Khai Dinh, scattered in the hills south of the city
- Bún bò Huế, the spicy lemongrass beef noodle soup the city is named for, served by the bowl at breakfast stalls all over town
A tournament week in December also means the tombs and citadel are quieter than in the dry spring months. That’s a good trade for a bit of rain.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the Hong Kong Open?
No. The event in Hue is the FELET Vietnam International Series, a BWF-sanctioned tournament. The Hong Kong Open is a separate, higher-tier BWF World Tour event held in Hong Kong.
When is the Vietnam International Series in Hue?
December 1–6, 2026, as announced. That runs from Tuesday to Sunday, and the final day is traditionally finals day at BWF tournaments.
Where are draws and results published?
The BWF lists its sanctioned tournaments on its tournament software site, which is where draws and results for International Series events are normally posted. Venue and entry arrangements sit with the local organiser.
How do I get to Hue?
Phu Bai International Airport is about 15 km south of Hue, with domestic flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Hue Railway Station is on the North–South line. Many visitors fly into Da Nang and travel about 100 km north by road or rail.
What is the weather like in Hue in early December?
Early December falls at the end of central Vietnam's rainy season. Expect cool, often overcast days and frequent heavy rain, so visitors usually bring a rain jacket.
Plan your trip to Hue
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