Published on
November 9, 2025
The transformation of Hanoi into a globally recognised centre for luxury sports travel is being meticulously executed. Following the prestigious distinction of being honored as the World’s Best Golf City Destination for both 2023 and 2024 by the revered World Golf Awards, a significant shift toward establishing the city as an international-class golf tourism paradise has been observed. This strategic pivot is intended to facilitate the attraction of affluent visitors from diverse global markets.
The Vietnamese capital is not merely being positioned as a location possessing high-quality sporting facilities, but rather as an essential nexus for high-end tourism, where culture, history, and premium leisure converge. This development is expected to not only boost the local economy but also substantially elevate Vietnam’s overall standing on the world’s luxury travel map. The foundational elements required for this monumental undertaking have been comprehensively established, ranging from world-class course design to an extensive network of luxury accommodations, thereby ensuring that the city is effectively geared for a major influx of discerning travelers.
A Landscape of Championship Courses and Renowned Facilities
A robust and extensive infrastructure base has been created across the city, providing the necessary foundation for this ambitious tourism goal. A total of six clusters of golf courses have been developed, within which are featured ten renowned championship courses. These courses have been meticulously designed to meet stringent international standards, with notable examples including the esteemed Long Bien Golf & Country Club, the exclusive Van Tri Golf Club, and the expansive BRG Kings Island Golf Resort. Each facility is positioned against breathtaking natural landscapes, ensuring that the diverse preferences and skill levels of golfers are comprehensively catered to. Furthermore, the city boasts more than ten expansive practice facilities, guaranteeing that opportunities for skills development and training are readily available to both local enthusiasts and international visitors.
The Strategic Importance of Location and Integration
The geographical advantage held by Hanoi has been frequently cited by industry experts as a key driver of its emergence as a golf tourism hub. According to comments attributed to Dr. Ha Van Sieu, Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, the city’s advantageous location is instrumental, particularly its close proximity to rapidly growing markets such as the Republic of Korea, Japan, and China. The assertion has been made that the region is on the verge of becoming the definitive golf paradise for the entirety of Asia. This strategic placement ensures ease of access and reduces travel time for a significant segment of the target market.
Beyond the immediate golfing experience, the city offers a compelling starting point for travelers seeking broader cultural and natural exploration. Hanoi functions as an excellent base from which tourists are able to seek out cultural, culinary, and natural tourism experiences in nearby regions. Destinations such as Phu Tho, Ninh Binh, Hai Phong, and Quang Ninh are easily accessible, allowing for the creation of comprehensive, multi-day itineraries that integrate luxury golf with rich Vietnamese heritage.
Forward-Looking Plans and Market Focus
A clear, forward-looking strategy is being implemented with the aim of elevating golf tourism to a flagship offering for the city. This plan involves enhancing collaboration between various localities and businesses, a crucial step toward creating a cohesive tourism product. The organisation of international tournaments is viewed as a high-priority activity, intended to generate global visibility and attract significant media attention. Concurrently, efforts are being made to create comprehensive golf tours and develop an integrated tourism ecosystem. This ecosystem is specifically designed to merge golf with other high-value tourism segments, including MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions), health and wellness services, cultural experiences, and sophisticated culinary offerings.
Navigating Challenges to Achieve Global Leadership
Despite the notable achievements and clear potential, certain challenges are required to be overcome for Hanoi to fully realise its ambition. While the quality of the golf courses is acknowledged as consistently high, some inherent obstacles, such as high operating costs and a prevalent preference for individual bookings over comprehensive group reservations, have been observed to hinder potential growth, as noted by Truong Quoc Hung, chairman of the Hanoi UNESCO Travel Club.
A significant concern has been raised regarding revenue leakage to neighbouring provinces. It was highlighted by Pham Duy Nghia, Director of Ban Chan Viet Tourism Company, that tourists visiting Hanoi often venture to nearby areas like Hoa Binh and Vinh Phuc for their golfing activities, resulting in lost revenue opportunities for the capital’s tourism sector. The absence of effective connections between Hanoi’s golf courses and local travel agencies further complicates the process of securing group bookings, particularly since many popular courses are frequently fully booked. This issue necessitates a more integrated approach to marketing and sales.
A Unified Vision for Sustainable Growth
In order to maintain a competitive position within the regional golf tourism market, proposals for policy adjustments have been put forth. Nguyen Tien Dat, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Tourism Association, suggested that reducing special consumption taxes would be a necessary step to level the playing field when compared with other established Southeast Asian golf destinations. Simultaneously, the need for strengthening communication efforts, facilitating golf club exchanges, and strategically expanding the market reach to include tourists from Europe, the US, and Australia has been identified as pivotal for sustained growth.
The official strategy for transforming advantages into a solidified brand is proceeding with determination. The city aims to attract strategic investment that accurately reflects its substantial potential and inherent strengths, thereby facilitating an increase in visitor numbers and ensuring the hosting of more prestigious international events and tournaments. The goal is clear: to entice both domestic and international tourists through a demonstration of operational excellence and diverse offerings.
