Golf tourism: A strategic product of Vietnam's tourism industry

Vietnam was voted the Best Golf Destination in Asia in 2025, according to the results just officially announced by the World Golf Awards, the most prestigious award in the world golf field. Notably, this is the 9th consecutive year that Vietnam has been honored at this prestigious international award.

This award once again affirms the sustainability when golf tourism is identified as one of the strategic products of the country's smokeless industry.

Special competitive advantage

According to the National Tourism Administration, Vietnam is considered an ideal golf destination in Asia thanks to its diverse terrain, from long coastlines with beautiful beaches, to hills, majestic landscapes, and favorable tropical climate for investing and developing golf courses and golf tourism.

Golf courses in Vietnam are of good quality, built in locations with beautiful landscapes, attached to luxury resorts, spread across the country, creating an attraction for tourists to come for relaxation and entertainment.

The country currently has more than 80 international standard golf courses spread across three regions, of which the prominent golf centers are Hanoi , Quang Ninh, Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City and Lam Dong. Many golf courses were designed by world legends such as Greg Norman, Nick Faldo or Luke Donald, creating great attraction for international tourists.

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism has reappointed world-class golf legend Greg Norman as Vietnam Tourism Ambassador for the 2025-2030 term. (Photo source: Skysports)

Vietnam Golf has affirmed its brand through a series of prestigious international awards. For 9 consecutive years (2017-2025), Vietnam was honored by the World Golf Association (WGA) as “Asia’s Leading Golf Destination”; and was twice awarded the title “World’s Best Golf Destination” in 2019 and 2021. The capital Hanoi also put its name on the global golf map when it was consecutively named “World’s Best Golf Destination City” in 2023 and 2024.

With those competitive advantages and potentials, in recent years, golf tourism has been identified as one of the strategic products of Vietnam's tourism industry.

To contribute to the development of this special product and at the same time promote and advertise in an effort to make Vietnam a golf tourism destination with a high position on the world golf map, in July 2025, the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism reappointed the world's leading golf legend Greg Norman as Vietnam Tourism Ambassador for the 2025-2030 term.

At the Golf Course Owners Conference - Vietnam Golf Tourism Development held at the end of October, Deputy Minister Ho An Phong also said that in the vision to 2030, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism oriented to develop golf as a high-end tourism product, a comprehensive economic, cultural, sports and tourism sector contributing to green growth, regional development and promoting the national image.

According to this strategy, golf will become a bridge between sports, tourism, investment and education, where Vietnam not only welcomes golfers, but also trains human resources, organizes international events and builds a chain of golf destinations with Vietnamese identity. This is a concrete step towards a sustainable, integrated golf industry with Vietnamese cultural values.

Greg Norman Reappointed as Ambassador of Tourism of Vietnam.jpg

Greg Norman has planned to promote Vietnam golf tourism in particular and Vietnam's destination image in general.

Sustainable growth solutions

According to information from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, in 2022, golf tourism revenue reached 600 million USD, expected to reach 1 billion USD in 2025 (equivalent to about 8-10% of total national tourism revenue). This contribution of golf to the overall results of the economy is positively evaluated by industry leaders.

As one of the fastest growing segments, with tourist spending 6 times higher than that of regular tourists, golf tourism not only brings great economic value, but also helps to enhance the image of Vietnam as a destination, aiming at the high-end and sustainable market.

Although there is an opportunity for breakthroughs, to reach the sustainable goal, the whole industry needs a long-term strategy, from diversifying products in the golf tourism ecosystem to focusing on high-class experiences for VIP guests.

To further develop this special product line, Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh said that it is necessary to synchronously deploy many solutions. First of all, it is necessary to raise awareness of the whole society about the position and role of the tourism industry and golf tourism in the country's economy. Identify this as an economic sector that brings high added value, creates jobs, contributes to the budget, and at the same time effectively spreads to other areas such as aviation, accommodation, sports, resort real estate and retail.

Through ambassador Greg Norman, Vietnam tourism wants to have a soft connection between Vietnam and the international community through sports, culture and tourism.

Next, it is necessary to perfect institutions and issue policies to support the development of golf tourism in Vietnam, while focusing on building a golf tourism human resource training program that meets international standards.

In addition, according to the Director, to achieve high efficiency and ensure environmental safety in the context of global digitalization, it is necessary to apply science and technology in investing in construction, operation and management of golf courses; strengthen links between tourism businesses, investors and localities to form a chain of golf products and services combining resorts, cuisine, health care and cultural and natural exploration; promote communication and promote Vietnamese golf tourism at home and abroad.../.

(Vietnam+)

Source: https://www.vietnamplus.vn/du-lich-golf-san-pham-chien-luoc-cua-nganh-du-lich-viet-nam-post1076900.vnp