Vietnam Golf Coast Looks Ahead to a Big Year for Central Vietnam as Tourist Golf Returns

DANANG, VIETNAM (February 16, 2023) — High-level tournaments and events tied to an expanded course portfolio and renewed enthusiasm for golf tourism will allow Central Vietnam to solidify its position as one of Asia's premier golf destinations in 2023.

This is the view from Vietnam Golf Coast (VGC) — a recently revitalized organization promoting tourism in the region by uniting its top golf courses.

"The best place for golf in Asia is not just recovering from the pandemic: it's getting even better," said Gary Dixon, general manager of Ba Na Hills Golf Club and one of VGC's main driving forces.

Regional clubs — recognized golf hubs in Vietnam and even Asia as a whole — are seeing high levels of activity as golf tourism returns with strength.

This growth is also reflected in several major golf tournaments scheduled for 2023. Among them is the Asian Finals of the Faldo Series — the only global amateur series for boys and girls that will be held at Sir Nick Faldo's course in Laguna Golf Lang Co in April.

Central Vietnam will also welcome the golf industry on an international level, as its largest city Danang hosts the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) and the Asian Development Tour (ADT) throughout the year.

The interest in Central Vietnam's golf courses has become so loud that it can even be heard in the sounds of motorcycles accompanying daily life in Danang.

Courses such as Laguna Golf Lang Co, Faldo's project, and Ba Na Hills Golf Club designed by British former Ryder Cup player Luke Donald are among the best in Asia. Also included are courses created by golf legends such as Greg Norman, Colin Montgomerie, Robert Trent Jones Jr., and Jack Nicklaus.

"Many golfers haven't been to Central Vietnam since 2019," noted Adam Calver, director of golf and tourism development at Laguna Lang Co. "We already had five excellent championship courses back then. Now, with the addition of two more (designed by Trent Jones Jr. and Nicklaus), we have seven."

High-quality golf combined with stunning beaches and luxurious resorts such as the award-winning properties at Laguna Lang Co — Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co — makes Central Vietnam likely the center of golf tourism in Vietnam. It offers a wide range of attractions, including historical sites in Hoi An and the Golden Bridge at Sun World Ba Na Hills — a 150-meter pedestrian bridge that is one of the most photogenic landmarks in Asia.

Its diverse offerings are complemented by world-class infrastructure, including Danang International Airport which connects the city with direct flights to destinations such as South Korea, Hong Kong, Thailand, India and Singapore.

But for golfers, the growing opportunities to play are the main attraction.

Among the key highlights are Laguna Golf Lang Co, where a championship course winds through trees, rice fields and streams, across rocky formations and along the shores of an expanding sea. Designed by British former world number one Donald (his first design as an architect), Ba Na Hills is located on undulating slopes and features natural elevation changes, gorges, streams and magnificent mountain scenery.

"Demand is growing again," added Dixon. "I used to say that any serious golfer should visit Vietnam at least once in their lifetime. Now, with the opening of new world-class courses, I would say one should return every few years to truly appreciate this place."

-Project description and images provided by Balcony Media Group