The year 2025 closed with many positive signals for Vietnam’s tourism industry in general, and golf tourism in particular. Concrete growth figures clearly demonstrate that Vietnam’s position on the regional golf map has become increasingly prominent and firmly established.
Nine Consecutive Years as Asia’s Best Golf Destination
At the World Golf Awards 2025, Vietnam was once again named Asia’s Best Golf Destination, marking the ninth consecutive year the country has received this prestigious international title.
These awards are not merely symbolic. They have a direct impact on international travellers’ booking decisions, helping position Vietnam as a “must-go” destination for golfers seeking a combination of world-class golf and luxury leisure experiences.
Golf Accounts for 8–10% of Vietnam’s Total Tourism Revenue
In the first nine months of 2025, Vietnam welcomed approximately 19.1 million international visitors, representing an increase of more than 20% compared to the same period last year and surpassing the pre-pandemic record set in 2019. The UN Tourism ranked Vietnam among the fastest-growing tourism destinations worldwide, highlighting the industry’s strong recovery.
Alongside this trend, golf tourism generated an estimated revenue of over USD 1 billion, nearly doubling compared to 2022. While golf currently accounts for around 8 – 10% of total national tourism revenue, its contribution to the overall tourism value chain-particularly in the mid – to high-end segments is becoming increasingly significant.
Nearly 100 18-Hole Golf Courses, One-Third International Standard
By the end of 2025, Vietnam had approximately 100 18-hole golf courses, with more than 30 meeting international standards. Several new projects broke ground during the year, including the Tiger Woods-designed course at Vinhomes Green Paradise and Trump Golf in Hung Yen, reflecting investors’ continued long-term confidence in Vietnam’s golf market.
Central Vietnam remains the driving force, with the Da Nang – Hoi An cluster being named “Asia’s Best Golf City 2025.” The region’s golf ecosystem – including BRG Danang Golf Resort, Montgomerie Links, Hoiana Shores, Ba Na Hills Golf Club and Laguna Lăng Cô – helps maintain stable year-round demand, particularly from South Korea, Australia and Europe.
Northern Vietnam continues to see strong performance from courses such as Long Bien Golf Course, Thanh Lanh Valley Golf & Resort, Tuan Chau Golf Resort, PGA Silk Path Dong Trieu and Van Lang Empire T&T Golf Club, serving both domestic golfers and the MICE segment. Meanwhile, southern destinations such as Nha Trang, Da Lat, Phan Thiet, Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc have shown clear signs of recovery.
International Golf Tourism Market: More Diverse and Sustainable
The year 2025 marked a significant shift in the structure of Vietnam’s international golf visitor market.
- China led with approximately 3.8 million visitors, up 43%, driven by competitive costs and close geographic proximity.
- South Korea remained the core market with 3.2 million visitors, contributing the highest share of high-end tourism revenue.
- Australia, Japan and Taiwan maintained steady growth.
- Europe began to gain momentum, supported by new international marketing strategies.
- India emerged as a promising next market, as its growing middle class increasingly seeks golf tourism combined with family-oriented resort experiences.
This evolving landscape shows that Vietnam is no longer dependent on a single source market, but is steadily positioning itself as a global golf destination, catering to a wide range of golfer segments.
Cooperation and Long-Term Development Orientation
One of the most significant milestones of 2025 was the Vietnam Golf Course Owners Conference, held at Laguna Lăng Cô. For the first time, golf course owners, regulatory bodies and international partners came together to shape a long-term strategic vision for the industry.
The conference brought together major organisations such as England Golf, Golf Course Association Europe, LIV Golf and Asian Tour, alongside representatives from global corporations. The event laid the foundation for the Vietnam Golf Course Owners Alliance, a sustainable cooperation mechanism considered a turning point in governance and strategic planning, bringing Vietnam closer to becoming one of the region’s most advanced golf development models.
Looking Ahead: Beyond the Numbers
From an objective perspective, 2025 marks a stage of solid recovery for Vietnamese golf while opening a new cycle of competition in the sports-tourism market.
While the figures for international arrivals, revenue, and infrastructure are impressive, long-term growth will require a focus on sustainability, diversified experiences, and adapting to modern trends—including the rise of new models like Park Golf.
Vietnam’s golf industry is no longer judged solely by the number of courses or international titles, but by how it continues to attract, retain, and inspire players in the new era of experiential travel.
Source: Vietnam Golf Magazine
