Golf Travel Vietnam
The Best Time to Visit
There is no bad time to visit Vietnam but the months of November through to early May are the dry season and June through to August when you are most likely to experience rain. Like all tropical climates, Vietnam can have periods of heavy rain followed by perfect weather. The team at Golfing Getaways has visited all the courses and regions we offer and will always base recommendations on the best time to visit Vietnam on our personal experiences.
Vietnam’s Best Courses
Many of the world’s top players and course designers have played a hand in the construction of Vietnam’s best golf courses. The Greg Norman designed Danang Golf Club is located in one of the country’s most beautiful regions where ‘The Great White Shark’ has created arguably Vietnam’s best golf course. Built on the sandy loam soil of China Beach, fairways are generous and there is restrained use of water. More so than other areas of Vietnam, the wind can be a major factor on the central coast.
Laguna Lang – designed by Sir Nick Faldo, The Laguna Lang Co Golf Club is an 18 holes championship golf course which takes advantage of the variety of existing environments with golf weaving between trees, over rice paddy fields and streams, through impressive rock features and alongside the beach.
Montgomerie Links – The site has an amazing beachscape, which makes the perfect palette for this links style course. Moving boldly over wispy Casuarina pines and sand dunes the Montgomerie Links Vietnam gives you the feeling of being in Scotland without the cold temperatures you find in the British Isles! In addition to an excellent golf course, there is also a large contemporary clubhouse where you can relax after golf and take in the spectacular views of nearby Marble Mountain.
Ba Na Hills Golf Club – In the mountains behind Danang you will find the newest golf course of this region, Ba Na Hills! Designed by Luke Donald and managed by IMG, Bana Hills is a world class facility and is Luke Donald’s first design project. The course is located at the foothills of the famed Ba Na Hills on Vietnam’s central coast, located 25 minutes from downtown Da Nang. The course has been nominated for World’s Best New Golf Course 2016 in the World Golf Awards, one of only 4 nominees globally. This stunning property is set amongst some of the most impressive mountain ranges in the region. The par 72, 18-hole Championship golf course provides a balance of challenge, enjoyment and excitement to golfers of all levels and abilities with 5 sets of tees to ensure golfers of all standards are assured a pleasurable round of golf.
The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip – A 2-hour drive south from Saigon is the new Greg Norman links layout, The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip. This is a must play while you are in Vietnam, and was designed to capture the true essence of links-style golf. Set on the coastline -- as almost all great links courses are -- The Bluffs is routed over and around towering sand dunes, which have been shaped over thousands of years by the elements. The wind plays a major role in the experience here; it's always strong, and its prevailing direction differs depending on the time of year. "The experience of playing true links golf among the dunes of southern Vietnam and having dramatic ocean views throughout your round will make The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip one of the most unique golf experiences in the world." Greg Norman. Long Thanh Golf Club which is located 30 kilometres north of Saigon. The Long Thanh Golf Club offers 36 holes of golf in the former rice paddies throughout the scenic countryside with unobstructed views back towards the city.
Jeongsan Country Club – The 18-hole Korean owned course was developed by Ron Fream’s Golfplan Company from the USA and is located on an island on the Saigon River. The out and back layout is typical of top resort courses. Heavy bunkering on most holes of this otherwise flattish land adds interest and enjoyment throughout the golf course and poses challenges even for the most serious golfers.
Tan Son Nhat Golf Club – The newest and most accessible golf course in Saigon, Tan Son Nhat is located 4 kilometres from the center of Ho Chi Minh City. Built across 156 hectares, the 36-hole Tan Son Nhat Golf Club borders the Tan Son Nhat Airport – the busiest in Vietnam. Nelson & Haworth designed a top course out of the surrounding flattish land. Significant earth mounding, many water hazards, large bunkers, and undulating greens have been built on every hole. Paspalum turf used on the tees, fairway, rough, and greens ensure top year-round playing conditions. This Saigon golf course is a modern city layout. The clubhouse is one of the largest in Asia and can accommodate not only golfers, but large banquets weddings, and other official functions for up to 5000 guests at a time. Several on-site restaurants serve tasty Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese and western dishes at very reasonable prices. Other faculties including pro shop, driving range, chipping and putting areas, locker rooms, and changing areas are all first rate.
Vietnam’s Activities.
With so much history, much of it extremely relevant to Australians, there are a huge amount of off-course activities to enjoy in Vietnam. Battlefield tours to some of the most bitterly disputed territory during the French and American wars are popular amongst many visitors. There are tours to the Presidential Palace, War Museums and the local churches and temples are rich in heritage and culture. Vietnam also provides great ways to relax with some fantastic dining establishments serving great cuisine. There are bars and restaurants serving local and international foods and the day spas offer the perfect way to recharge after a day on the course. The floating markets is another great activity and show the importance of the river for the trade and sustainability of the region.
Accommodation
The Grand Hotel Saigon is nestled in Saigon's scenic riverside area and within walking distance to major commercial and entertainment precincts. Inside this French colonial style hotel, you will find 226 luxurious guest rooms and suites with panoramic views of Saigon River and HCMC. A VIP Lounge, Western & Asian restaurants, Rooftop Grand Cafe, Bars & Spa, etc, as well as friendly and professional staff.
Pullman Danang
Located on the stunning white sands of Danang beach & 15 minutes from downtown Danang, the luxury Pullman Danang Beach Resort is an oasis of activities & facilities for business and leisure travellers. This upscale resort offers stylish and spacious 186 rooms & cottages, complimentary WIFI, infinity-edged swimming pool, restaurant Epice with an open kitchen, a contemporary and stylish Azure Beach Lounge, bars.
Danang Novotel
Danang Novotel is a contemporary style hotel located in a tower-style building. Sophisticated rooms feature free Wi-Fi, as well as flat-screen TVs and tea and coffee machines. Also available are studio and 1-3-bedroom apartments. Room service is available 24 hours a day. The hotel offers a stylish restaurant and 2 bars (1 has river views). There's also an outdoor pool, as well as a hot tub, gym and children’s play area.
Hotel Royal Hoi An
Combining the delicacy of Japanese touch and the luxury of Indochina architecture, Hotel Royal Hoi An is the first and only MGallery property in Hoi An. Standing majestically alongside the tranquil and beautiful Thu Bon River, Hotel Royal Hoi An dazzles the eyes with elegant decorations, intuitive design and a fascinating love story that dates back to centuries ago. With 120 luxurious room, an Art-Nouveau outdoor pool, the first ever high-end Japanese restaurant in town, an exclusive spa and intuitive services from the best staff you can find, Hotel Royal Hoi An is the ultimate destination for a remarkable journey in the remarkable Hoi An.
Recommendations
The War Museum in Saigon is definitely worth a visit. Allow at least two hours to take in everything that this is on offer. The Presidential Palace is also well worth visiting and will put a place to many of the iconic images from the Vietnam War. A day tour to the Cu Chi battlefield lets you gain some insight into what the soldiers on the ground must have faced during this horrific conflict. The bomb craters and underground tunnels and gunfire from the nearby shooting range create an eerie atmosphere. The range provides visitors with an opportunity to fire the Vietnam War weapons for themselves in a safe and controlled environment.
Exploring Saigon on foot is a great way to take in the city. There are many little bars and restaurants which are well worth stopping in and the architecture in many of the precincts is amazing.
Getting there
Travelling from the east coast of Australia, you can fly directly to Ho Chi Min City with Vietnam Airlines, or via Singapore, Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur to Saigon, Danang and Hanoi. Speak with the experienced guys at Golfing Getaways about the best way for your group to travel.
