Home » SPORTS TOURISM » Hanoi Investment in Luxury Golf Courses and MICE Tourism Positions City as Premier Golf Destination, Driving Economic Growth and Global Appeal
Published on
November 10, 2025
Moreover, Hanoi is making great efforts to enlarge its tourism sector, especially golf tourism. Recognized by the World Golf Awards as the “World’s Best Golf City Destination” for 2023 and 2024, the Vietnamese capital is fast positioning itself among the top destinations for golf tourism in the Asian region. The city also boasts six major golf course clusters, with high-class courses such as Long Bien Golf & Country Club, Van Tri Golf Club, and BRG Kings Island Golf Resort offering world-class experiences to players at every level.
From luxury golf tourists to regional golf enthusiasts, Hanoi can satisfy the needs of both groups, showcasing its growing potential in the international tourism market. The evolving infrastructure of golf tourism in the capital, together with rich cultural offerings, is turning it into an increasingly attractive option for both business travelers and leisure tourists who seek a unique combination of golf, culture, and luxury experiences.
Tourism Infrastructure Investments: Supporting Golf, Wellness, and Luxury Tourism
As part of its long-term tourism development strategy, Hanoi continues to invest heavily in its tourism infrastructure. This includes the expansion of high-end resorts, golf course developments, and wellness tourism services. The Sky Lake Resort & Golf Club is another key attraction, featuring 36 holes alongside luxurious amenities, including spas, conference rooms, and state-of-the-art practice facilities. This resort not only attracts golfers but also positions Hanoi as an all-encompassing luxury destination for high-spending tourists.
Luxury tourism in Hanoi is experiencing rapid growth, as tourists from around the world seek both golf experiences and wellness retreats. As wellness tourism becomes increasingly popular, Hanoi’s golf resorts are combining golf with wellness offerings—including health spas, fitness programs, and holistic healing services—creating a multi-dimensional tourism experience that appeals to those seeking relaxation and personal rejuvenation.
Expanding MICE Tourism Through Golf: Business and Leisure Combined
One of the standout features of Hanoi’s tourism expansion is the integration of golf tourism with MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism. The city is positioning itself as a leader in business travel by offering golf tours that incorporate business events, conferences, and luxury leisure. The combination of golfing and business tourism is particularly appealing to corporate clients, who can participate in golf tournaments or corporate retreats while attending important meetings and events.
This integration of MICE and golf tourism provides a seamless experience for business travelers, offering opportunities for networking, team-building, and socializing in a relaxing setting. With international tournaments, corporate golf packages, and high-end conference facilities, Hanoi is becoming a preferred destination for MICE tourism in Asia.
Growing Global Appeal: Attracting Tourists from the Republic of Korea, Japan, and Beyond
Hanoi’s strategic location and world-class facilities are attracting increasing numbers of international visitors, particularly from Asia. Tourism from South Korea, Japan, and China has grown substantially, and the introduction of regional golf tours has further strengthened the city’s position as a global golf hub.
The Republic of Korea, in particular, has shown strong demand for golf tourism in Hanoi, with a significant number of visitors traveling for golfing experiences. The presence of high-end golf resorts combined with the city’s cultural appeal makes it an ideal destination for Korean travelers, who are eager to explore both the region’s cultural heritage and its luxury tourism offerings. Similarly, Japanese golfers are flocking to Hanoi’s courses, adding to the growing market demand for golf tourism.
Promoting Regional Tourism Collaboration to Enhance Visitor Numbers
As Hanoi’s tourism industry continues to grow, the city is focusing on regional tourism collaboration to expand its visitor base. Partnerships with neighboring countries—such as Vietnam’s close ties to China, South Korea, and Southeast Asia—will allow Hanoi to capitalize on cross-border tourism. By promoting golf tours that span multiple countries, Hanoi can attract regional visitors interested in exploring Vietnam’s natural beauty and luxury offerings alongside golfing and wellness retreats.
Addressing Challenges: Enhancing Service and Marketing for the Golf Sector
Despite its rapid growth, Hanoi’s golf tourism sector faces challenges that must be addressed to maintain its competitive edge. Truong Quoc Hung, chairman of the Hanoi UNESCO Travel Club, pointed out that although the city offers high-quality golf courses, the high costs of services and preference for individual bookings over group reservations could hinder further growth. To overcome these hurdles, industry collaboration between golf courses, tour operators, hotels, and airlines is crucial.
Le Hong Thai, from the Investment and Development Department of Hanoi Tourism Corporation, stressed the importance of cohesive promotion between tourism stakeholders to effectively market Hanoi’s golf tourism offerings. Expanding targeted marketing campaigns in Europe, Taiwan, and the US, as well as providing incentives for group bookings, will play a vital role in increasing international demand.
Sustainable Growth: Maintaining Balance Between Golf Tourism and Local Communities
As Hanoi’s golf tourism sector continues to grow, it’s crucial to maintain a balance between sustainable development and community engagement. The rapid rise of luxury tourism could lead to gentrification or overdevelopment if not carefully managed. The city needs to ensure that local communities benefit from the growth of tourism through job creation, community projects, and responsible development practices.
The integration of eco-tourism with golf tourism can help promote environmental conservation while providing economic opportunities for local businesses. Supporting sustainable infrastructure and tourism management practices will ensure that Hanoi remains a tourism leader in Asia for both luxury and sustainable tourism.
Hanoi’s Bright Future as a Golf and Tourism Hub
Featuring world-class golf courses, luxury resorts, and a strong focus on sustainability, Hanoi will soon become one of Asia’s premier golf tourism destinations. Integrating MICE tourism, high-end accommodation, and wellness tourism into the city’s offerings in golf tourism will ensure this destination attracts high-end travelers and secures its place among the leading global destinations for business and leisure tourists alike.
Given the continued development in the realm of golf tourism, the capital places great emphasis on sustainable development, regional cooperation, and luxury tourism to maintain its competitiveness in the global tourism market. With a commitment to both cultural preservation and economic growth, Hanoi’s tourism future is poised for long-term success.
