Best Bac Ninh Golf Courses to Play in 2026/2027

Bac Ninh is probably better known for folk singing than fairways, but that is changing. The province, which recently merged with Bac Giang, sits northeast of Hanoi and now has about four operational golf courses spread across hilly terrain that is quite different from the flat urban courses inside the capital. The drive from central Hanoi takes about 50 to 70 minutes depending on which course you are heading to, and the Hanoi to Bac Giang expressway keeps the journey straightforward. For golfers, the appeal of Bac Ninh is the combination of challenging mountain-style layouts and a cultural identity rooted in Quan Ho folk singing, which UNESCO recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009.

Bac Ninh is not trying to compete with established Hanoi golf hubs like BRG Kings Island or Sky Lake. It occupies a different niche: newer courses on hilly, windswept terrain that feel more rugged and less manicured than typical resort golf. The province also holds four UNESCO-recognized intangible heritage elements, 1,589 historical and cultural relics, and the Dong Ho folk painting village. That cultural depth, combined with increasingly serious golf infrastructure, makes Bac Ninh a practical day trip from Hanoi or a stop on a broader northern Vietnam route. It suits golfers looking for a challenge, couples who want to combine golf with cultural tourism, and groups on longer Hanoi packages who want terrain variety.

Best Golf Courses in Bac Ninh

Bac Ninh has three courses that are most relevant for international golfers. Each uses the hilly terrain of the region differently.

1. Amber Hills Golf and Resort

Amber Hills, formerly known as Yen Dung Resort and Golf Club, is the most established course in the province. According to GolfLux, it is located in Yen Dung district, about 50 kilometers from Hanoi. The course was designed by Albanese and Lutzke, an American golf course design firm. GolfPass lists the Hillside Course as par 72, 7,203 yards, opened in 2018, with a slope rating of 140. The resort spans 190 hectares across the Nham Bien mountain range, with a 36-hole plan (the second 18-hole Rock Valley course, with design input from Korean golf legend K.J. Choi, is in development).

Amber Hills earned the title “Vietnam’s Most Challenging Golf Course” from Vietnam Golf and Leisure in 2019 and 2020, and the terrain explains why. The course is not divided according to any regular pattern. Holes sit at different elevations with spiral layouts and sharp bends. The 15th hole (par 4) is frequently cited as the trickiest: you cannot see the green from the tee because it hides behind a steep slope to the left. The 17th (par 3, 170 yards) requires a tee shot from a high position onto a green in the middle of a lake. Wind is a constant factor at this elevation, giving the course a links-like feel unusual for an inland layout.

Amber Hills suits golfers who want a genuine test. It is not a relaxing resort round. If you enjoy courses that fight back, this is the one.

2. Stone Highland Golf and Resort

Stone Highland, also known as Viet Yen Golf Course, is in Viet Yen district. According to GolfLux, it is a 36-hole facility that uses natural lakes and greenery to create a harmonious layout. The East and West courses are divided by water features and tree lines. Sand bunkers and water hazards are positioned throughout, and the clubhouse, hotel, and restaurants are placed away from the playing area to keep sightlines clean.

Stone Highland occupies a quieter position in the Bac Ninh golf scene compared to Amber Hills. It is less extreme in its elevation changes and more suited to golfers who want a well-maintained course with water in play rather than a mountain endurance test. It works well for mixed-ability groups and golfers who want to play 36 holes in one location.

3. Corn Hill Golf and Resort

Corn Hill, or Luc Nam Golf Course, is one of the newest courses in the province. According to GolfLux, it is a 36-hole facility in Luc Nam district, about 70 kilometers from Hanoi, with a par of 74.3 and a length of 7,185 yards (slope 141). The course sits among rolling hills with panoramic countryside views from most holes.

What separates Corn Hill from the flatter Hanoi courses is the terrain. Wide fairways, cleverly placed bunkers, and a lake system are laid out to use the natural elevation. GolfLux notes that golfers who make the trip tend to find the setting and layout worth the slightly longer drive. The course draws fewer crowds than the bigger resort courses, which means better pace of play on most days. Corn Hill suits golfers who want hilly terrain without the extreme challenge of Amber Hills, and who prefer a quieter course with room to breathe.

Which course should you play?

If you want the biggest challenge and do not mind being punished for mistakes, Amber Hills is the clear pick. If you want a calmer 36-hole facility with water features, Stone Highland. If you want a newer course on rolling hills with fewer crowds, Corn Hill. For a two-course Bac Ninh day or overnight trip, Amber Hills paired with either of the other two gives you a strong contrast between aggressive and more relaxed golf.

Best Time to Play Golf in Bac Ninh

Bac Ninh shares the same subtropical climate as Hanoi. Vietnam’s official tourism website notes that northern Vietnam has a wet season from May to September and a dry season from October to April.

October to December. The best window. Temperatures around 20 to 25 degrees, dry conditions, and comfortable playing weather. The wind at Amber Hills can be stronger during this period, which adds to the challenge.

January to April. Good overall. January and February can be cool and grey. The Lim Festival (13th day of the first lunar month, usually February) is the biggest Quan Ho folk singing event of the year and worth timing a trip around. March and April warm up.

May to September. Hot and rainy. Morning tee times are advisable. Green fees may be lower and courses quieter during this period.

Bac Ninh Golf Holidays and Package Tours

Bac Ninh works best as a day trip from Hanoi or as one stop within a longer northern Vietnam golf package. The expressway keeps travel times under 70 minutes for most courses, which is comparable to reaching Sky Lake or BRG Kings Island from central Hanoi.

All you need to do is plan your trip, and we handle everything else: transfers, hotel bookings, tee times, and whatever details make the holiday feel easy.

For couples and mixed groups, Bac Ninh offers a genuine cultural alternative to the standard Hanoi sightseeing circuit. One person plays Amber Hills or Corn Hill while the other visits Dong Ho folk painting village, explores the 11th-century Phat Tich Pagoda, or arranges a Quan Ho folk singing experience in one of the province’s 260 active singing villages. The cultural side fills a full half day without effort, and regrouping for dinner in Hanoi afterward is straightforward thanks to the expressway.

Golf with Quan Ho Culture in Bac Ninh

This is what makes Bac Ninh different from other golf areas near Hanoi. Quan Ho folk singing is a call-and-response tradition between pairs of men and women from different villages, with over 400 song lyrics sung across 213 melody variations. UNESCO recognized it in 2009, and today the province maintains over 260 Quan Ho villages and 600 singing clubs with nearly 10,000 members. The Lim Festival each spring is the largest Quan Ho event, with performances on dragon boats and competitions between villages.

Beyond Quan Ho, Bac Ninh has 1,589 historical and cultural relics, including four special national relics and Dong Ho painting village, where artisans still produce traditional woodblock prints using natural materials. A cultural tourism train now runs the Thang Long to Kinh Bac route from Hanoi. A practical golf-and-culture itinerary: play a morning round at Amber Hills, then visit Dong Ho village or attend a Quan Ho performance in the afternoon. The combination of challenging hilly golf and living folk traditions is something you will not find at any other course within an hour of Hanoi.

Book Tee Times in Bac Ninh

Availability at Bac Ninh courses is generally easier to secure than at the busier Hanoi resort courses. Amber Hills requires groups of three or more on weekends. Weekday slots are more flexible across all three courses.

When booking, confirm your preferred course and date, morning or afternoon tee time, and whether you need club rental or transfers from Hanoi. Morning rounds are the safer choice from May to September. If you plan to visit during the Lim Festival in February, book accommodation and transfers in advance as the province gets busy. GolfLux’s Hanoi golf packages page can incorporate Bac Ninh courses, or you can build a custom itinerary that fits your schedule.