Vietnam a golden land for golf tourism

Speaking at the Vietnam Golf & Leisure Awards in mid-September, Nguyen Trung Khanh, general director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), noted that Vietnam is progressively establishing its brand, appeal, and reputation on the global golf tourism map.

“Golf courses have become appealing tourist attractions, with demand driving them to play a key role in completing the tourism service supply chain, which includes resorts and entertainment,” said Khanh. “Our data shows that golf tourists tend to spend significantly more than regular visitors. As a result, many countries have included golf in their strategic tourism development plans.”

According to the VNAT, Vietnam currently has around 100 operational golf courses with 18 holes and driving ranges, with many adhering to international standards. Enhancing infrastructure and creating golf tourism products will be critical areas of focus as part of Vietnam’s tourism development strategy leading up to 2030.

The VNAT has been promoting Vietnam’s tourism industry with a particular focus on golf tourism, aiming to engage both domestic and international tourists. In addition to promoting golf tourism, the authority is also fostering partnerships to develop professional golf tournaments, while further improving the quality of supporting facilities, including resorts, hotels, restaurants, and healthcare services.

At the awards ceremony, the organisers presented 24 awards dedicated to golf and 22 to leisure. According to Khanh, this year’s results reflect the growing efforts of golf course investors, management, and staff, and signal a bright future for the development of Vietnam’s golf tourism sector.

At the awards ceremony, Mark Reeves, deputy general director of BRG Group, expressed his excitement about elevating Vietnam’s golf tourism and further enhancing Thua Thien-Hue’s appeal as one of the top golf destinations.

“I believe golf tourism will play a vital role in boosting high-end tourism, as it attracts a segment of customers willing to spend more, benefiting hotels and residents,” said Reeves. “Golf courses also create significant job opportunities for local communities, and I hope the government will continue to provide support to foster the robust growth of golf tourism in Vietnam.”

Mark Reeves, deputy general director, BRG Group Along with the incredible creativity of Nicklaus Design, the Golden Sands Golf Resort has also seen participation from construction and golf equipment installation companies from the US and Singapore, as well as a team of experienced international experts from the UK, Canada, and Australia, along with the efforts and dedication of all staff members. These collaborative efforts have resulted in the impressive feat of launching the resort at an accelerated pace without compromising quality. The clubhouse, which resembles a grand castle by the beaches of Vinh Xuan and Vinh Thanh, was completed in just four and a half months, while maintaining the highest standards of quality. We organised our construction team to work around the clock in three shifts to complete the project as swiftly as possible while ensuring the best quality. We would like to express our appreciation and gratitude to the government and central departments, as well as the local authorities and residents of Thua Thien-Hue province, and Vinh Xuan and Vinh Thanh communes, for their active support and maximum facilitation during the project implementation. BRG hopes to continue receiving the attention, assistance, and collaboration from local government officials and residents to ensure the project operates efficiently, creates numerous job and business opportunities for the local community, enhances revenue for the budget, and becomes a new driving force for socioeconomic development in the area. The inauguration of the resort reflects our efforts and practical actions to welcome Thua Thien-Hue as a centrally governed city. We will do our best to offer modern, high-quality, and sophisticated products and services, ensuring that visitors have exciting experiences and unforgettable memories when they come to Thua Thien-Hue. This will further help maintain Vietnam’s position as the best golf destination in the world for many years to come.

According to Reeves, BRG Group has been working to identify prime locations that naturally draw in customers. One such example is the Golden Sands Golf Resort, which is located along the beaches of Vinh Xuan and Vinh Thanh in Thua Thien-Hue province. Situated just 20km from Hue and 10km from Phu Bai Airport, the location is ideal for attracting both domestic and international tourists.

The Golden Sands Golf Resort was unveiled on September 28, and was designed by Nicklaus Design, the firm founded by golfing legend Jack Nicklaus. This resort is integrated with the region’s natural dunes and offers ocean views throughout the course. The resort’s classic layout features wide fairways, large greens, and deep sand traps, creating a distinct challenge for golfers of all skill levels.

It is hoped the resort also encourages visitors to extend their stays in Thua Thien-Hue, where they can explore the area’s rich cultural heritage, meet local people, and enjoy the diverse cuisine of the UNESCO-recognised World Cultural Heritage site.

“We always seek proximity to customers, beautiful landscapes, and contributions to local economic growth when investing in a golf course,” Reeves said.

Moreover, a critical aspect of golf course development, according to Reeves, is the ability to collaborate closely with local authorities and communities. Such partnerships not only help to create job opportunities and business ventures for residents but also contribute to increasing local budget revenues and driving regional socioeconomic development.

Despite the great potential for growth in Vietnam’s golf sector, Reeves stressed that further supportive policies are essential to truly drive the rapid expansion of golf courses and engage investors. While current policies are reasonable, he expressed hope that further opportunities will emerge.

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