A Year That Transformed Vietnam into Asia’s Premier Golf Destination
As 2025 draws to a close, Vietnam’s golf industry stands at a historic pinnacle. What began as ambitious aspirations has crystallized into undeniable reality: Vietnam has officially arrived as one of Asia’s premier golf destinations. With 21.5% year-over-year tourism growth, unprecedented international recognition, landmark infrastructure projects, and strategic partnerships with global golf leaders, 2025 will be remembered as the year Vietnam’s golf industry came of age.
From the launch of the Donald Trump Corporation’s golf brand to Tiger Woods breaking ground on his first course in Vietnam, and from the landmark partnership with England Golf to the inaugural Vietnam Golf Course Owners Summit, 2025 has been a year of remarkable milestones of Vietnam’s Golf. With Vietnam being crowned Asia’s Best Golf Destination for the sixth consecutive year, these achievements represent more than just growth they mark a profound transformation. Vietnam is now firmly positioned among the world’s premier golfing nations, standing shoulder to shoulder with Scotland, Ireland, and other legendary destinations.
The statistics from 2025 tell a story of explosive, sustained growth across every meaningful metric in Vietnam’s golf industry.
Vietnam welcomed 19.1 million international visitors in the first nine months of 2025 alone, representing a remarkable 20.9 percent increase compared to the same period last year and exceeding the 18 million mark of 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic. UN Tourism recognized Vietnam as the world’s fastest-growing tourism destination in H1 2025 a title that reflects not just quantity but the quality and diversity of Vietnam’s tourism appeal.
This tourism boom directly benefits golf, with golf tourism revenue projected to surpass $1 billion in 2025, up from $600 million in 2022. Golf now represents 8-10% of Vietnam’s total tourism revenue, this number establishing it as a core pillar of the country’s tourism economy rather than a niche activity.
Vietnam now operates approximately 100 18-hole golf courses, with at least one-third meeting international five-star standards. This represents not just quantity but quality Vietnam has moved decisively beyond developmental-stage courses to championship facilities that compete with the best in Asia.
The trajectory toward 200 courses by 2030 accelerated in 2025 with multiple major projects breaking ground or opening. Highlights include Tiger Woods’ first Vietnamese design at Vinhomes Green Paradise, the Trump Corporation Brand project in Hung Yen, and numerous developments across Central Vietnam. These initiatives have captured the attention of the global golf ecosystem, from investors and players to leading design firms, suppliers, and management companies, positioning Vietnam as one of the most dynamic golf markets in the world.
Da Nang and Hoi An on the central coast captured “Asia’s Best Golf City Destination” honors in 2025, validating the region’s concentration of world-class courses including BRG Danang Golf Resort, Hoiana Shores, Montgomerie Links, Bana Hills Golf Club and Laguna Lang Co Golf Club. The UNESCO World Heritage site of Hoi An Ancient Town combined with championship golf creates an unbeatable destination package.
In the North, Hanoi, the cultural capital renowned for centuries, offers golfers more than 20 courses of exceptional quality at reasonable prices. Highlights include Sky Lake Resort (ranked the 5th best course in Vietnam), Van Tri Golf Club, Thanh Lanh Golf Club, BRG King Island, and FLC Ha Long Golf. Exciting new venues such as the PGA Dong Trieu Golf Club have also recently opened, adding to the city’s vibrant golf scene. All of these courses are set within easy reach of Hanoi’s thousand-year-old temples and elegant French colonial architecture, creating a unique blend of sport and culture.
In the South, destinations such as Nha Trang, Dat Lat, Ninh Thuan, Phan Thiet, and Ho Chi Minh City have emerged as vibrant hubs of Vietnam’s golf scene in 2025, offering more than 20 courses. With year-round warm weather, the region is an ideal setting for tropical golf at any time. Golfers can choose from seaside courses, forest retreats, and dynamic city venues each promising an unforgettable weekend round. Adding to the excitement, new developments continue to shape the landscape, including the opening of Vinpearl Golf Léman’s spectacular 36-hole complex and the ongoing expansion of the prestigious BRG portfolio.
Phu Quoc, the first and currently the only island paradise in Vietnam’s golf scene, combines tropical courses with pristine beaches and luxury resorts. It has been attracting golfers seeking both championship play and seaside relaxation, and now boasts two beautiful 18‑hole island golf resorts.
An astounding 279% growth compared to 2023 figures. Vietnam now has approximately 300,000 active golfers including Vietnamese nationals, foreign expats, and international tourists.
Perhaps most impressive is Vietnam’s 26% female participation rate among the highest percentages globally. This indicates a broad, inclusive golf community rather than a narrow elite segment, creating sustainable long-term growth foundations.
In 2025, Vietnam Golf witnessed impressive numbers and trends, with nearly all golf courses recording remarkable business growth this year. The low-season months are no longer difficult periods; instead, thanks to PR strategies of the country’s Sport & Tourism Department targeting different potential markets, they have gradually attracted golfers from various markets. Vietnam Golf isn’t just a story dependent on Korean golfers as in previous years, but instead, golf courses nationwide are bustling with diverse groups of customers from different markets and countries. Some notable figures:
China leads with explosive growth: 3.8 million Chinese visitors in the first nine months of 2025 represents a 43% year-over-year increase. Chinese golfers discovered Vietnam offers premium golf at prices significantly below Thailand and South Korea, combined with cultural familiarity and convenient access.
South Korea remains the premium cornerstone: 3.2 million Korean visitors make this segment critical to Vietnam’s golf economy. Korean golfers’ passion for golf, willingness to pay for quality, and appreciation for Vietnam’s value proposition creates a stable, high-value market.
Taiwan, Australia, Japan provide steady growth: These established markets continued expanding in 2025, with Australian golfers particularly appreciating Vietnam’s winter golf season and Japanese tourists valuing meticulous course maintenance.
Europe emerges as growth frontier: European golfers, particularly from UK, France, and Germany, increasingly discovered Vietnam through strategic partnerships like Asia Golf Journey’s collaboration with Destination Golf Magazine. Hannah Nguyen’s appointment as Official Southeast Asia Ambassador for Destination Golf Magazine opened direct marketing channels to premium European golf tourists.
India represents future potential: Affluent Indian families seeking international golf vacations discovered Vietnam’s combination of golf, cultural tourism, and beach relaxation in 2025, establishing foundations for major growth in coming years.
“Asia’s Best Golf Destination” for the sixth consecutive year (2017-2025) at the World Golf Awards, competing against Thailand’s decades of infrastructure, Japan’s 2,000+ courses, and South Korea’s passionate golf culture.
Da Nang captured “Asia’s Best Golf City Destination”, recognizing the central coast’s exceptional concentration of championship courses.
Individual courses continued earning accolades, with The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip’s “World’s Best New Golf Course” award remaining a crown jewel in Vietnam’s golf portfolio.
These awards aren’t just recognition, they directly influence booking decisions by international golf tourists and validate Vietnam’s positioning as a world-class destination worthy of comparison with Scotland, Ireland, and other legendary golf nations.
Beyond the numbers, 2025 delivered specific milestones that will shape Vietnam’s golf industry for decades. Vietnam Golf Course Owners Summit – November 2025
The inaugural Vietnam Golf Course Owners Summit at Laguna Lăng Cô in November 2025 marked a watershed moment. For the first time, golf course owners, government leaders, international experts, and global partners gathered in an official forum to unify vision, establish development standards, and chart long-term industry direction. The summit, directed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organised with support from the Vietnam Golf Association, brought together representatives from England Golf, Golf Course Association Europe, 54 Group, LIV Golf, Asian Tour, and major equipment manufacturers. Topics included sustainable development, service quality benchmarks, positioning Vietnam as a unified destination brand, and planning for 100+ new courses by 2030. This level of public-private coordination is unprecedented in Southeast Asian golf and demonstrates Vietnam’s maturity in strategic planning. The summit established Vietnam Golf Course Owners Alliance foundations, creating ongoing collaboration frameworks rather than one-time events.
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