Ha Long is one of the most distinctive golf destinations in northern Vietnam. It does not have the same volume of courses as bigger golf hubs such as Bangkok, Pattaya, or Ho Chi Minh City, but that is not really the point. The appeal of Ha Long lies in the setting. Here, golf is part of a wider travel experience that includes dramatic limestone scenery, quality seaside resorts, fresh seafood, and the chance to pair a round of golf with one of Asia’s most famous cruise destinations. Ha Long Bay is part of the UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba Archipelago, which gives the destination a level of global recognition few golf areas can match
For golfers visiting northern Vietnam, Ha Long works especially well as a short premium escape from Hanoi or as an extension to a longer Vietnam itinerary. The area is already promoted as a high end tourism zone with luxury hotels, major entertainment complexes, cruise infrastructure, and golf facilities in operation. That makes it a practical choice for couples, small groups, incentive travel, and golfers who want a trip that feels scenic and relaxing rather than rushed.
Best Golf Courses in Ha Long
Ha Long is not a destination with a long list of Ha Long golf courses, so choosing where to play is fairly straightforward. At the moment, the two names most closely linked with golf travel in Ha Long are FLC Ha Long Golf Club and Tuan Chau Golf Resort. Both are relevant for travelers planning golf holidays in Quang Ninh, and both fit naturally into itineraries that also include Ha Long Bay sightseeing or cruises
1. FLC Ha Long Golf Club
FLC Ha Long Golf Club is the best known golf course in the destination and, for many travelers, the main reason to consider Ha Long as a golf stop. According to FLC, the course is a Schmidt Curley design overlooking the old town and the limestone karst scenery of Ha Long Bay. The official resort description lists it as a par 71 layout measuring 6,092 yards from the tips, with an emphasis on scenery as well as playability.
What makes this course stand out is not just the golf itself, but the visual experience. Many Vietnam golf courses are known for coastal or resort settings, but FLC Ha Long has a more elevated position, which creates wide panoramic views across the bay and city. That gives the round a very different atmosphere from flat parkland golf. Golfers who enjoy dramatic backdrops, photography, and late afternoon light usually find this course especially memorable. The resort complex also includes the five star FLC Grand Hotel Ha Long, which means golfers can stay on site and keep transfers simple.
From a travel planning point of view, FLC Ha Long is the easiest course to build around. It suits weekend golf breaks, couples where one person golfs and the other prefers spa or sightseeing, and international visitors who want to combine a luxury hotel with one round in an iconic setting.
2. Tuan Chau Golf Resort
Publicly available golf travel sources describe Tuan Chau Golf Resort as an 18 hole course on Tuan Chau Island, with part of the layout bordered by Ha Long Bay. These sources list it as a par 72 course with a championship style length, making it a useful complement to FLC Ha Long for travelers who want more than one round in the area.
The biggest strength of Tuan Chau is location. Tuan Chau is already a familiar base for cruise departures, resort stays, and family travel in Ha Long. That makes it particularly suitable for golfers who want easy access to the port, travelers on mixed interest holidays, and groups building a golf plus cruise program. The nearby Tuan Chau Resort Ha Long also positions itself close to Tuan Chau Golf and just a short distance from Tuan Chau International Port, which supports this kind of combined itinerary.
Which course is better?
If you want the most famous scenery and the strongest resort identity, FLC Ha Long Golf Club is usually the first choice. If you want to stay closer to the cruise port or build a two round Ha Long golf program, Tuan Chau Golf Resort becomes very useful. In practice, many travelers will enjoy Ha Long most by treating the destination as a one or two course golf stop rather than expecting a large golf circuit. That is the right mindset for this area
Best Time To Play Golf In Ha Long
The best time to play golf in Ha Long generally follows the best time to visit Ha Long Bay itself. Vietnam’s official tourism website notes that Ha Long has clear skies from September to November, misty conditions from December to March, sunshine and a refreshing breeze in April and May, and more unpredictable monsoon weather from June to August. The Vietnam Tourism FAQ also highlights April and May, as well as September and October, as particularly favorable months.
For most golfers, the most comfortable windows are:
April to May
This is one of the best periods for a Ha Long golf trip. The weather is usually warm but still pleasant enough for daytime play, and the bay often looks bright and clear. It is also a strong season for combining golf with cruises, sightseeing, and outdoor dining. 
September to November
This is another excellent season, especially for travelers who prefer slightly cooler conditions and more stable visibility. Official tourism information describes this period as having clear skies and cooler temperatures, which is ideal for both golf and scenic travel. 
December to March
Winter in Ha Long can still work well for golf, especially for visitors escaping colder countries and happy to play in cool air. The trade off is that the bay may be misty, which can reduce panoramic views even though it creates a very atmospheric look. Golfers who care more about climate comfort than bright blue skies may still enjoy this season
June to August
Golf is still possible, but this is the least predictable season. Vietnam Tourism notes that the monsoon can make visits to Ha Long more unpredictable from June to August, and this is also the period when cruise plans can be affected by rain or marine weather. For golfers, that means morning tee times, flexible scheduling, and backup plans are especially important
Ha Long Golf Holidays & Package Tours
Ha Long is best suited to short golf holidays rather than long multi course golf vacations. In most cases, the destination works best as a two day, three day, or four day program. This can be done as a standalone escape from Hanoi or as part of a broader northern Vietnam route. The advantage is convenience. You are not trying to move constantly between cities. Instead, you stay in one scenic destination and combine golf with leisure travel. 
A typical Ha Long golf package may include hotel accommodation, airport or Hanoi transfers, tee times, caddie and cart arrangements depending on the course, and one bay experience such as a day cruise or overnight cruise. This structure suits international travelers very well because it reduces planning stress and makes the trip feel more complete. Ha Long is already positioned by local tourism authorities as a destination for high end services, golf, resort stays, and entertainment, so golf packages fit naturally into the destination’s broader tourism model.
Some of the most practical package formats are:
- 2 days 1 night golf escape with one round and one resort stay [view]
- 3 days 2 nights golf and cruise program with one round plus a bay cruise [view]
- 4 days 3 nights premium holiday with two rounds, seafood dining, onsen & spa, and an overnight cruise [view]
For couples and mixed interest groups, Ha Long is especially appealing because one person can golf while the other enjoys the resort, the spa, or the cruise experience. That is one of the destination’s strongest selling points
Golf with Cruises in Halong
This is where Ha Long becomes much more than a normal golf destination. Many golf resorts can offer sea views or luxury accommodation, but very few can combine golf with a world famous bay cruise in such a direct and practical way. Ha Long Bay, Cat Ba Archipelago is UNESCO listed, and cruising remains one of the area’s signature experiences. Vietnam’s official tourism website also notes that most visitors experience Ha Long through packaged cruises, often with transport included from Hanoi.
That makes the golf and cruise combination easy to sell and easy to enjoy. A very workable itinerary is to arrive from Hanoi, play one round on the first day, stay overnight in Ha Long, and then take a cruise the next day. Another good option is to cruise first, then finish the trip with a final round before returning to Hanoi. Both approaches work, but many golfers prefer to play first and relax on the cruise afterward.
Tuan Chau is particularly useful for this style of travel because the area is closely linked with cruise departures and the international port. FLC Ha Long, on the other hand, is better for travelers who prioritize the golf resort experience and want a more elevated bay view from the hotel and course. Choosing between them depends on whether your trip is golf led or cruise led.
Book Tee Times in Ha Long
Booking tee times in Ha Long is usually easier when handled together with accommodation and transport, especially for international travelers. Because Ha Long is a smaller golf destination, there are fewer course options than in larger cities. That means your golf planning should be more deliberate. Weekend slots, holiday periods, and group travel dates should be arranged in advance whenever possible.
- When booking, it helps to confirm:
- Your preferred course
- Your ideal date and tee time
- Whether you want a morning or afternoon round
- Whether you need club rental
- Whether transfers are needed from Hanoi, the airport, or your hotel
- Whether your round needs to fit around a cruise departure
Morning tee times are usually the safer choice in warmer or wetter months, especially from June to August when afternoon rain is more likely in northern Vietnam. If your trip includes a cruise, it is also wise to avoid creating a schedule that is too tight. Leave buffer time between golf, hotel check in, and port transfers.