Golfing in Vietnam is a delight, and fast becoming a favourite of globetrotting golf enthusiasts, with a superbly scenic collection of world-class courses, some designed by some of the game’s most prominent exponents.
Close to Hanoi there are several courses on which to stretch your legs while visiting the Capital. Closest to the city are Van Tri Golf Club, Long Bien Golf Course, Heron Lake Golf Course and Resort, and the two PGA standard courses and Golf Academy of Sky Lake Resort and Golf Club, all of which will provide a very satisfying round.
A little further from the city, the two courses at Kings Island Golf Resort occupy a very scenic location in the Red River Valley around 36 km from the centre, whilst 40 km north of Hanoi, the three courses of Phoenix Golf Resort are set against a stunning backdrop with rocky outcrops strikingly similar to those of Ha Long Bay, the most scenic being the awesomely attractive Dragon Course. At a similar distance to the Capital, the Dai Lai Star Golf and Country Club sits below Ngoc Thanh Mountain and provides a challenging course.
Also in the mountains, the almost alpine feel of Tam Dao Golf resort is often reputed to require the use of all the golf clubs at your disposal, and is well positioned for visiting the nearby national park. On the way to Ha Long Bay the 27-hole Chi Linh Star Golf and Country Club has hosted the Carlsberg Masters, whilst arriving at the coast will bring you to Do Son Seaside Golf Resort will test you with its sea breezes and numerous water hazards.
The Peter Rousseau designed 18 hole Royal Golf Club course at Ninh Binh is often cited as one of Vietnam's very best, and is a good location to combine a round with sightseeing in the dramatic landscapes found here.
In Central Vietnam, the pine forests of Dalat are host to Sacom Tuyen Lam Golf Resort, Royale City Golf Resort and the Dalat palace Golf Club, with its French colonial echoes. In Da Nang, aficionados will definitely appreciate the Nick Faldo designed course at Laguna Lang Co Golf Club, Greg Norman’s course at Danang Golf Club or neighbouring Colin Montgomery Links Course.
Close to Nha Trang, the classy Diamond Bay Resort overlooks the coast, whilst situated on a beautiful island offshore, the luxury Vinpearl Resort boasts a stunning course and driving range alongside its hotel complex. Further south visitors to Mui Ne Beach, near Phan Thiet, can distract themselves by enjoying the very challenging Sea Links Golf and Country Club links course.
Visitors to Saigon will enjoy the two championship courses of The Vietnam Golf and Country Club, one of which was designed by Lee Trevino, 17 km from the city centre. A little further out are Song Be Golf Resort and the Ron Fream designed Long Thang Golf Club, both excellent courses.
North of Saigon, The parkland course at Dong Nai Golf Resort was designed by Ward Northrup to present unique but highly playable challenges on each hole, whilst to the south of the city the Greg Norman designed course at The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip provides a links course characterised by interesting changes in elevation.