Best Dong Nai Golf Courses for 2026/2027

Dong Nai is not a destination you fly to. It is the province next door to Ho Chi Minh City, and for golfers based in Saigon, it functions as the most accessible alternative to playing within the city limits. Three golf facilities sit within 30 to 50 kilometres of HCMC, offering a combined 81 holes across plateau, island, and countryside settings that feel noticeably different from the urban courses inside the city.

The province borders Ho Chi Minh City to the east and southeast, with Bien Hoa as the main urban centre. Long Thanh district, home to the largest golf facility, is about 30 minutes from central HCMC by car. The Dong Nai River runs through the province and plays a role in reaching one of the courses, Taekwang Jeongsan, which sits on an ecological island accessible by road or, unusually, by boat from HCMC. The upcoming Long Thanh International Airport, currently under construction in the province, will eventually add another transit option for the area.

Dong Nai suits golfers staying in Ho Chi Minh City who want to play outside the urban core without a long drive, weekend golfers from Saigon looking for a change of scenery, and international travelers building a southern Vietnam itinerary who want to add course variety beyond what HCMC itself offers. The province works well as a day trip from the city or as a stop on the way to Vung Tau or Phan Thiet.

Best golf courses in Dong Nai

Three facilities offer distinct experiences, from an elevated 36-hole club to a river island course.

1. Long Thanh Golf Club

According to GolfLux course information, Long Thanh Golf Club is a 36-hole facility located on a plateau in Long Thanh district, measuring 7,124 yards with a slope of 73.1. The course was designed by Ronald Fream and uses Paspalum grass on greens and fairways. It is about 30 minutes from Ho Chi Minh City by road.

The elevated position gives Long Thanh panoramic views in every direction, which is unusual for courses this close to a major city. The two 18-hole courses serve different skill levels: one is built for more experienced players with rolling fairways, winding waterways, and island greens, while the other is more forgiving for beginners. The Dong Nai River connects the course to HCMC, and some golfers reach it by boat to avoid traffic, which is a practical option worth considering during peak hours.

Long Thanh suits golfers who want a full-scale 36-hole facility close to HCMC, players who appreciate elevated terrain with open views, and groups with mixed abilities who need one course to serve both experienced and newer golfers.

2. Dong Nai Golf Resort

According to GolfLux course information, Dong Nai Golf Resort is a 27-hole facility located on Highway 1A in Trang Bom District. The course was designed by Ward W. Northrup and opened with 18 holes in 1997, with the remaining 9 holes added in 2002. The resort covers 300 hectares and sits next to a natural open lake.

The countryside setting is the main appeal. At 300 hectares with a natural lake, this is a spacious property with a pastoral feel that is a genuine escape from the density of HCMC. The three 9-hole courses (A, B, and C) each run about 3,500 yards, giving golfers different combination options. The resort also offers horseback riding, fishing, and spa facilities, which makes it more than just a golf stop.

Dong Nai Golf Resort suits golfers who want a relaxed countryside round, travelers who enjoy on-site resort activities beyond golf, and anyone looking for a quieter atmosphere than the city courses.

3. Taekwang Jeongsan Country Golf Club

According to GolfLux course information, Taekwang Jeongsan Country Golf Club is an 18-hole par 72 course measuring 7,295 yards, designed by Ronald W. Fream. It is located on Dai Phuoc ecological island in Nhon Trach District, surrounded by the Dong Nai River. The course is about 25 minutes by boat from Ho Chi Minh City and about 20 minutes from the future Long Thanh Airport.

The island location is unusual. The Dong Nai River wraps around the course, and the ecological island setting means you are playing in a greener, quieter environment than anywhere on the mainland this close to Saigon. At 7,295 yards it is the longest of the three Dong Nai courses.

Taekwang Jeongsan suits golfers who want a long, challenging layout in an unusual setting, and players who like the idea of reaching a golf course by river rather than by highway.

Which course is better?

If you want the most established facility with the easiest access from HCMC, Long Thanh is the default choice. If you want a countryside retreat with on-site activities, Dong Nai Golf Resort offers the most complete day out. If you want the longest course in an unusual island setting, Taekwang Jeongsan is the most distinctive option. For a two-day Dong Nai golf trip, playing Long Thanh and Taekwang Jeongsan gives you genuine contrast between elevated plateau golf and river island golf.

Best time to play golf in Dong Nai

Dong Nai shares HCMC’s tropical climate. Vietnam’s official tourism information describes the dry season as December to April and the wet season as May to November.

December to April. The best window. Dry, warm, and comfortable. All three courses are in good condition, and traffic between HCMC and Dong Nai is somewhat lighter during the early morning hours. This is also the peak season for visiting golfers.

May to June. Transition into the wet season. Afternoon showers begin, but morning rounds are still reliable. The countryside at Dong Nai Golf Resort looks its greenest during this period.

July to October. The wettest months. Afternoon thunderstorms are frequent and sometimes heavy. Morning tee times before 7am are the practical approach. Long Thanh’s elevated position means it drains better than lower-lying courses.

November. Transition back to dry. Rain decreases, and conditions improve week by week. A good value month with improving weather.

Dong Nai golf holidays and package tours

Dong Nai is best treated as a day trip or overnight extension from Ho Chi Minh City rather than a standalone golf destination. The short transfer from HCMC means you can play in the morning and be back in the city for dinner.

A typical Dong Nai golf day includes private car transfer from your HCMC hotel, tee time at one of the three courses, caddie and cart, and a return transfer. For a multi-day programme, Dong Nai courses combine naturally with HCMC city courses and can also be included in longer itineraries heading to Vung Tau or Phan Thiet.

The 6 Days Golf in Saigon – Vung Tau itinerary includes Long Thanh as one of the four courses. The Ho Chi Minh City Golf Packages page covers various durations that incorporate Dong Nai courses. For a custom itinerary, use the trip planner.

Dong Nai works for couples if you combine the golf with a visit to one of the province’s fruit orchards or a boat trip on the Dong Nai River. The countryside feel provides a change of pace from HCMC that non-golfing partners often appreciate.

Golf with countryside and river travel in Dong Nai

Dong Nai’s appeal beyond golf is its proximity to HCMC combined with a genuinely rural atmosphere. The province is one of southern Vietnam’s major fruit-growing regions, with orchards producing rambutan, mangosteen, durian, and jackfruit. Visiting a fruit garden is a practical half-day activity, particularly between May and August when many tropical fruits are in season.

The Dong Nai River itself is a working waterway with fishing communities and river traffic. Taking a boat to Taekwang Jeongsan is not just a way to avoid traffic; it is an experience in its own right, passing through a landscape that looks nothing like the city you left 25 minutes ago. Cat Tien National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve known for its biodiversity, is further upriver and can be reached in about three hours from Bien Hoa for travelers with extra time.

Book tee times in Dong Nai

Booking tee times at Dong Nai courses is straightforward since all three are within easy reach of Ho Chi Minh City. Weekend mornings can be busy with domestic golfers from Saigon, so advance booking is recommended for Saturday and Sunday.

When booking, confirm:

• Which course you want to play
• Your ideal date and tee time
• Morning versus afternoon preference (morning is strongly recommended May to October)
• Whether you need club rental
• Cart and caddie arrangements
• Transfer from your HCMC hotel (note: transfer time varies significantly by time of day due to traffic)
• Whether you want to reach Taekwang Jeongsan by boat or by road
• Whether your round is part of a broader itinerary heading to Vung Tau or Phan Thiet

One practical note: the road between HCMC and Long Thanh passes through some of the busiest traffic corridors in the south. Leaving your hotel before 6am on weekday mornings gets you to the course before the worst congestion. On weekends, traffic is lighter. If you are playing Taekwang Jeongsan by boat, coordinate the boat schedule with your tee time, as departures are not as flexible as driving yourself. And if you are heading to Vung Tau after your round at Long Thanh, the course sits right on the route, which makes it a natural first stop on a two-destination golf trip.