Vietnam’s Must Play Courses
A guide to some of our favourite courses to play in Vietnam
Vietnam is fast becoming a must visit destination for the avid golfer looking for something extraordinary in an amazing country. With direct flights from the UK to either Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, it’s actually easier than you might expect to travel there. OK, it’s a little further than Portugal, but once there you can reside in luxury accommodation & play some truly world-class courses for incredible value, must less than you are now having to pay in Europe for the equivalent level of experience. Looking for a world-class golf break, Vietnam is hard to beat.
Here’s our thoughts on which courses stand out and are definitely worth experiencing when in Vietnam.
Located in an enormous 2,500-acre site in Hoi An, just south of Da Nang, this is one of at least five world class courses in an around the Da Nang area. Designed by legendary Robert Trent Jones Jr, Hoiana Shores opened to the public in 2016 and has been winning awards and accolades ever since.
The grandeur of the clubhouse is spectacular enough, however, this only hints as to what lies beyond on this stunning course. ‘Tropical Links’ is a phrase that has been coined in recent years, it describes this perfectly. Fairways run firm and fast on the sand-base and are wide and open enough to ensure wasted ball-searching time is minimal. Large bunkers and wasteland not only add challenge but also raise the aesthetics if it was needed, and with stunning ocean views on show this is debatable. If you love ocean views, wide undulating firm fairways surrounded by rugged expansive bunkers and wasteland and perfect conditioning, then this is for you.
It's very rare that a course is reviewed so highly by those who play, this is definitely one not to be missed, pop it in the bucket list.
Located just under an hour south of central Nha Trang in Cam Ranh, this is the 3rd course in Vietnam designed by Greg Norman. Opening in 2018 it has naturally taken a little while to bed-in, Covid issues wouldn’t have helped this, but the course was designed with a keen eye on working with the existing topography and surroundings.
The course is set a little way from the shoreline, but the sand-based dunescape leaves you undoubting that this is more links style than anything else. Wide & fast fairways are framed by large ‘natural’ bunkers and wasteland. As you’ll find along most of this coastline the scenery often steels the show, with stunning views over Cam Ranh Bay & the island beyond,
A fun & popular course due to its variety of holes, one designed with what was already on offer to create an authentic experience.
Located a little out of the way at just over 2 hours southeast of Ho Chi Minh City and the nearest airport, this is a course that is well worth the trip. Another of the Greg Norman designs in Vietnam, this is arguably Vietnams finest course and one of the best in Asia. Say what you will about Mr Norman and his designs, he’s surpassed himself here.
This is a true ‘tropical links’ routed through the magnificent towering natural dunes, offering dramatic views of the ocean from almost every hole. Once again the design was to work with the existing topography to ensure nature shaped the course as much as possible, fortunately what they had to work with was a piece of land shaped perfectly to capture the true essence of links golf.
A unique experience that simply has to be enjoyed if visiting Vietnam
Located between the north of Da Nang and the historic City of Hue, this Sir Nick Faldo designed course offers something quite different from some of the other great courses in the Da Nang area. Opening in 2012 this is perhaps Sir Nick’s boldest course design to date.
Situated in an area between white sandy beaches and rugged mountain, the course winds its way through lush jungle, past paddy fields, rivers, rocks & sand dunes to create a rich and diverse terrain, and a set of holes that will thrill and delight with interest. The strategy of the design paired with the diversity of the terrain and natural dunes will ensure you’re a game is required to post a decent score, however as much as a challenge, this is also a fun course and real golfing entertainment.
A hidden piece of land on which has been created an exceptional course, enjoy.
Located 30 mins inland from Da Nang this is another of the world class courses in the region, and the only one we’ve featured that doesn’t reside on the amazing stretch of coastline. This is Luke Donald’s first foray into golf course design, it’s not a bad start. Opening in 2016, this multi award-winning course sits in the foothills of the majestic Ba Na Hills Mountain range where temperatures are generally a bit cooler than on the coast.
Offering something different from the links style coastal courses, what remains the same is the exceptional & immaculate facilities & levels of service. With an eye on hosting future tournament golf the course stretches to 7,800 yards from the back tees, we wouldn’t recommend. Choose your tees wisely and this is a fun & picturesque parkland style course, which winds its way through the jungle with a backdrop of the mountain range from almost every hole. The front 9 is relatively flat and a little longer, the back 9 then features more elevation changes as you head into the hills, offering dramatic holes and amazing views.
Having installed floodlights to allow night golf if desired, this offers something different from the coastal courses and compliments them perfectly.