Hue, Vietnam – A groundbreaking strategic partnership between England Golf and the Vietnam Golf Association (VGA) marks a pivotal moment in Vietnam’s journey to becoming a world-class golf destination. The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), signed during the inaugural Vietnam Golf Course Owners Summit at Laguna Lăng Cô Golf & Resort, brings together Vietnam’s dynamic emerging golf market with England’s centuries of golfing heritage and expertise.
The partnership announced at the Vietnam Golf Course Owners Summit 2025 represents more than a ceremonial agreement—it establishes a comprehensive framework for collaboration across multiple critical areas of golf development, from grassroots participation to elite talent development, and from governance structures to sustainability practices.
1. Vietnam Golf Development Strategy 2025-2030 Support
England Golf will provide expertise and guidance supporting Vietnam’s ambitious national golf development strategy, which aims to position the country as a premier Asian golf destination. This includes:
2. ‘Respect in Golf’ Programme Pilot
One of the partnership’s most significant initiatives is the pilot introduction of England Golf’s acclaimed ‘Respect in Golf’ programme in Vietnam. This comprehensive initiative addresses:
The ‘Respect in Golf’ programme represents England Golf’s commitment to ensuring golf remains accessible, enjoyable, and respectful for all participants, regardless of age, gender, background, or ability level.
3. Joint Research and Development Studies
The two organizations will collaborate on comprehensive studies examining:
Jeremy Tomlinson, Chief Executive of England Golf, articulated the strategic rationale behind the partnership:
“Vietnam represents one of the most dynamic emerging golf markets in the world. This partnership allows both our organizations to learn from one another – combining Vietnam’s rapid growth and enthusiasm for the sport with England Golf’s decades of experience in structured governance, participation programmes and talent development.”
Tomlinson’s statement reflects recognition that while England brings historical expertise, Vietnam offers valuable insights into rapid market development, adapting golf to new cultural contexts, and leveraging technology for participation growth.
Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Vice President of the VGA, emphasized the partnership’s importance for Vietnam’s golf ambitions:
“In order to maximize the potential and build efficiencies for Vietnam’s booming golf industry, leading stakeholders have taken effective measures to diversify the national product offering and cater to the widespread demand from both international and domestic tourists. The time is now for us to harness this momentum and take things to the next level.”
The VGA’s leadership recognizes that Vietnam’s golf boom requires not just infrastructure development but also governance structures, participation programs, and talent pathways matching international standards.
The England Golf partnership arrives at a crucial moment in Vietnamese golf development:
Participation Explosion: The R&A’s Global Golf Participation 2024 report revealed Vietnam experienced one of the world’s sharpest increases in registered golfers—a staggering 279% growth compared to 2023 figures. Particularly encouraging is Vietnam’s 26% female participation rate, among the world’s highest percentages.
Infrastructure Expansion: As of 2025, Vietnam operates 90+ operational 18-hole golf courses, with projections to reach 200 courses by 2030. Recent additions include Vinpearl Golf Léman’s 36-hole complex in Ho Chi Minh City, strengthening southern Vietnam’s golf tourism infrastructure.
Tourism Growth: Vietnam welcomed 13.9 million international visitors in the first eight months of 2025, up 21.7% year-over-year, with golf tourism generating approximately $600 million in 2022 and projected to surpass $1 billion by 2025, representing 8-10% of total tourism revenue.
World’s Fastest-Growing Destination: UN Tourism recognized Vietnam as the world’s fastest-growing tourism destination in H1 2025, with 21.5% year-over-year growth—creating unprecedented demand for golf experiences from Chinese (+43%), Korean, Japanese, Indian, and Western tourists.
The England Golf-VGA partnership sits within a comprehensive ecosystem of international collaborations supporting Vietnam’s golf development:
Global sports and entertainment agency 54 has established a strategic partnership with the VGA to co-develop comprehensive national golf strategy, complementing the England Golf relationship with implementation expertise and international sports industry connections.
The VGA previously signed an MoU with the Singapore Golf Association, establishing frameworks for management retreats, training camps, and annual friendly matches promoting cultural exchange and elite player development.
The inaugural Vietnam Golf Course Owners Summit, where the England Golf partnership was announced, brought together government leaders, course owners, and international experts including representatives from:
This multi-stakeholder approach ensures Vietnam’s golf development benefits from diverse international perspectives and best practices.
International Standards: Access to England Golf’s course management, environmental sustainability, and operational excellence frameworks helps Vietnamese courses meet global expectations.
Quality Benchmarking: Participation in joint studies and best practice sharing enables courses to evaluate performance against international standards.
Certification Pathways: Potential access to internationally recognized quality certifications and environmental accreditations.
Staff Development: Training programs and educational resources supporting professional development for course management, greenkeeping, and service staff.
Improved Playing Environments: ‘Respect in Golf’ programme implementation creates more welcoming, inclusive golf experiences for all participants.
Talent Development Opportunities: Structured pathways supporting progression from beginner to elite levels, with potential for international exchanges and competitions.
Coaching Quality: Enhanced coaching standards and certification programs ensuring golfers receive quality instruction.
Participation Programs: Initiatives targeting previously underserved demographics, including women, youth, and disabled golfers.
Quality Assurance: International partnerships signal Vietnam’s commitment to meeting global standards, building confidence among international golf tourists.
Marketing Credibility: Ability to promote Vietnamese golf as supported by established international organizations like England Golf.
Service Standards: Improved consistency in player experiences across Vietnamese golf facilities.
Sustainable Growth: Development strategies ensuring golf tourism growth remains sustainable and high-quality rather than volume-focused.
Strategic Framework: Access to proven governance models and development strategies from mature golf markets.
Economic Impact Optimization: Understanding how to maximize golf’s economic contribution across accommodation, dining, retail, and employment.
International Recognition: High-profile partnerships elevating Vietnam’s status as serious golf destination.
Investment Attraction: International collaboration signaling stability and professionalism to potential golf course developers and investors.
As Southeast Asia’s premier golf tourism specialist with partnerships across 70+ Vietnamese courses, Asia Golf Journey recognizes the strategic significance of the England Golf-VGA partnership.
Hannah Nguyen, Founder & CEO of Asia Golf Journey and Official Southeast Asia Ambassador for Destination Golf Magazine, comments:
“The England Golf partnership represents exactly what Vietnam’s golf industry needs at this pivotal moment. We have extraordinary infrastructure growth, booming tourism numbers, and passionate golfers—but sustainable success requires the governance frameworks, participation programs, and quality standards that England Golf brings from centuries of experience.
For our partner courses, this collaboration provides roadmaps for meeting international expectations. For international golf tourists we connect with Vietnam, it signals commitment to quality and professionalism. For the broader industry, it demonstrates Vietnam’s serious about becoming not just a golf destination, but a great one.
At Asia Golf Journey, we’re excited to leverage these developments in our marketing to European golf tourists through our Destination Golf Magazine partnership. When we tell European golfers about Vietnamese golf now backed by England Golf expertise, it adds tremendous credibility.”
The England Golf-VGA partnership reflects broader trends in international golf development:
Traditional models of developed golf markets “teaching” emerging markets have evolved into genuine partnerships where both parties learn. Vietnam offers England Golf insights into rapid digitalization, technology adoption, social media marketing, and adapting golf to new cultural contexts.
Vietnam’s partnerships with England Golf, Singapore Golf Association, and various international organizations signal increasing regional cooperation and knowledge sharing across Asian golf markets.
Environmental sustainability and social responsibility increasingly central to golf development partnerships, reflecting global priorities and Asian golf’s commitment to responsible growth.
Emphasis shifting from simply building courses to ensuring they meet international standards, operate sustainably, and deliver experiences justifying Vietnam’s positioning as premium destination.
As Vietnam pursues its vision of becoming a leading international golf destination, partnerships like this provide the expertise, frameworks, and credibility necessary for sustainable success. Combined with Vietnam’s remarkable growth trajectory, passionate golf community, and government support, the foundation is set for Vietnamese golf to achieve its ambitious goals.
For golf courses, golfers, tourism operators, and industry stakeholders, the message is clear: Vietnam’s golf boom is built on solid foundations of international best practice, professional governance, and commitment to quality—not just rapid expansion.
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