With the country now boasting over 30 golf courses, Vietnam is starting to emerge as a serious golf destination. With its fascinating history, ancient culture, tropical climate, and now its range of fantastic championship golf courses, the country offers a truly memorable experience both on and off the golf course.
According to Pham Ha, founder of Southeast Asia´s leading inbound golf tour operator, Vietnam is one of the best up-and-coming golfing destinations in the world. “The country is dynamic, safe, and affordable. From the excitement of modern Saigon to the thousand-year-old streets of Hanoi, and the sea and sand in Danang and Hoi An, the choices are endless.” he remarked.
North:
1. Chi Linh Star Golf and Country Club – Hanoi
http://www.chilinhstargolf.com.vn
Chi Linh golf course is located about 70km from Hanoi, at the hub of tourism and economic activity in the north, and is considered one of the top golf courses in Vietnam and also in Southeast Asia. The golf course covers a large area of 325 ha in the heart of a beautiful valley with a natural lake nestled in the green hills. There are numerous paths round the small lake and across the hills, all with lovely views. Chi Linh Star golf course was built with 36holes to AAA international standard and the greens and grass are carefully tended every day. Because of the hilly terrain, the course is very challenging.
Weekdays: USD 86
Weekends and holidays: USD 127
2. Phoenix Golf Course in Hoa Binh
Around 38 km from Hanoi, with an area of 312 ha, Phoenix Golf Resortwas built to international standard and was admitted on the PGA tour within a year and the World Masters Vietnam Competition, with 142 professional golfers from 27 countries, took place here in 2007.Because of its location, the course benefits from the surrounding natural beauty. Phoenix Golf Course has 3 courses with a total of 54 holes; the Phoenix course was designed by Golf Plan USA, the Champion course by Songho Group Korea and the Dragon Course by M& K Co Japan, and each course reflects the country of its designer providing golfers with a variety of experiences.
Weekdays: USD 145,
Weekends and holidays: USD 179
3. Dong Mo King Island Golf Course – Hanoi
http://www.kingsislandgolf.com
King Island Golf course is located on 350 ha of land surrounded by 1500 ha of water. It includes two 18-hole lakeside courses, in operation since 1993,and a mountain-view course which opened in 2004. Fourteen of them eighteen holes on the lakeside course use the local terrain and natural hazards as part of the course. Meanwhile the stunning mountain-view course is really challenging, even for professional golfers. It is recommended to play at both as each course offers different aspects and challenges. The course was given “The best Par 5 in 2008”award.
Weekdays: USD 119,
Weekends and Holidays: USD 161
Central coastal area cities:
4. Laguna Lang Co Club – Hue
Together with the Montgomerie Links and Danang Golf Club, the Laguna Lang Co is one of the three best courses in the central coastal area (Danang region). The 18-hole and 71-par golf course was designed by Sir Nick Faldo and is located on a luxury complex, belonging to the Banyan Tree Corp, with gorgeous views of the ocean and mountains. It is suitable for players of all levels with a choice of fairways:6,958yards for professional and 5,263 yards for amateur golfers. Each hole is designed with distinct characteristics, creating interesting variations for each round of golf. The natural terrain surrounding the golf course ensures a memorable golfing experience for every player.
Weekdays: USD 98/pax,
Weekends: USD 126/pax.
5. Montgomerie Links – Danang
http://www.montgomerielinks.com
Voted the”Best Golf Course in Vietnam”in 2011,the 7,090-yard Colin Montgomerie-designed Montgomerie Links is surrounded by stunning scenery. The course follows the terrain and is suitable for all levels of golfer. The course does not have a signature hole, but the par-5 twelfth appeals to many of the golfers who have played here. Playing slightly uphill to a bunker-riddled fairway, the hole is framed by the clubhouse in the background and has been described as the best par-5 in Vietnam.
High Season (01 Jan – 31 March 2014): Weekdays: USD 109/pax, Weekends: USD 147/pax.
Low season: (01 April – 31 Dec 2014): Weekdays: USD 103/pax, Weekends: USD 141/pax.
6. Danang Golf Club – Danang
Located halfway between Danang and Hoi An and minutes from the ocean, the Danang Golf Club, or The Dunes Golf course, is a high-end playground for international golfers. The course was voted the best golf course in Vietnam 2012 by USA Golf Digest and Vietnam’s Best Par 3 2012-2013 for Hole#16 By Vietnam Golf Magazine & Vietnam Golf Association. As one of the most significant golf courses in the central coastal area, and near UNESCO World Heritage attractions, the Danang Golf Club was designed by Greg Norman with its 18-hole, 72-par course proving to be a real challenge for players. The fairways at this championship golf course are well defined and bring different levels of difficulties for players.
High Season: (01 Jan – 31 Mar 2014): Weekdays: USD 108, Weekends and Holidays: USD 145.
Regular Season: (01 Apr – 31 Dec 2014): Weekdays: USD 103, Weekends and Holidays: USD 140.
7. Sea Links Mui Ne – PhanThiet
http://www.sealinksvietnam.com
Sea Links Golf & Country Club, which was designed by Golf Plan Design Company (USA),is located on a complex of 168 ha overlooking the ocean, with panoramic views of Mui Ne Bay, which has a particular appeal for international golfers. The Sea Links course is a modern but traditional links-style golf course that exists nowhere else in Vietnam, or even in Asia. With its fabulous views and characteristics, the Sea Links Golf Club, the largest complex in the area, is ideal for hosting a private or corporate tournament, gala dinner or golf training camp for both junior and professional golfers. All greens are covered by Bermuda Tiff Eagle grass which makes them look smoother and very pleasing to the eye. Sea Links Golf Club received “Vietnam’s Must Play Getaway” award, voted by The Economic Times – The Guide Readers’ Award.
Weekdays: USD99, Weekends and holidays: USD 126
Highland:
8. Dalat Palace Golf – Da Lat
Dalat Palace Golf Club is in a delightfully peaceful location with rolling hills, majestic pines and a series of lakes around ten of the 18 holes, creating a very challenging championship caliber golf course. Hole #6 is the signature hole with its intimidating tee shot with water to the left and along a narrow fairway. The intimidation does not end there as it is a difficult shot all the way to the green, which is surrounded by water and bunkers. If you hit the ball straight and accurate on this hole, it is a great birdie opportunity because the hole is not overly long for a par 5. Dalat Palace Golf Club is an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all levels. This course has attracted a spectrum of domestic and international golfing enthusiasts.
Weekdays & Weekends: USD 114
South:
9. Long Thanh Golf – Ho Chi Minh City http://www.longthanhgolfresort.com
The Long Thanh Golf Club is built on former rice paddies in scenic countryside close to Saigon in an area of over 350 ha, of which about 100 ha is green hills. Surrounded by branches of the Dong Nai River, this attractive course offers 36 holes of golf – 18 rounds on Hill Course, and 18 rounds on Lake Course. All 36 holes have their own particular character and the wide variety makes it challenging for both serious amateurs and professional golfers. Higher handicappers might prefer the Lake Course however, which is relatively flatter. Hole 13, a par-3 on the Hill Course, is considered the signature hole.
High Season (Jan, Feb, Oct, Nov, Dec 2014): Weekdays: USD 63, Weekends and Holidays: USD 115
Low season (Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep 2014): Weekdays: USD 63, Weekends and Holidays: USD 107
10. Song Be Golf – Ho Chi Minh City
Song Be Golf Resort was Vietnam’s first international championship golf course. The 27-hole course is officially rated in accordance with the USGA (United States Golfers Association) requirements. There are three main courses – Lotus Course, Palm Course and Desert Course. Each features different attributes reflecting its name in this tropical landscape. The three golf courses, each with a variety of difficulties, are suitable for golfers of any level. Desert is considered the most challenging and demanding course even for professionals. This course was voted the Most Unique Golf Course Design in 2011 and recently Hole #9 was voted as Best Par 5 Hole in Vietnam.
High Season (01 Jan – 31 Mar 2014, 01 Oct – 31 Dec 2014): Weekdays: USD 61, Weekends/Public holidays: USD 145
Regular Season (01 April – 30 Sep 2014): Weekdays: USD 54, Weekends/ Public holidays: USD 118
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