Vung Tau and the broader Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province have quietly assembled one of the more interesting golf lineups in southern Vietnam. The headline act is The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram, a Greg Norman coastal links design that was voted Vietnam’s best golf course in 2023 by the World Golf Awards. Add Chau Duc Golf Course, also a Norman design, and the older Vung Tau Paradise Golf Course, and the province offers three facilities with 63 holes across very different settings: cliff-top dunes, parkland, and gentle seaside terrain.
Vung Tau city is about 90 minutes southeast of Ho Chi Minh City by road, making it the closest beach and golf escape from the country’s largest city. Ho Tram, where The Bluffs is located, is a further 30 minutes down the coast from Vung Tau. The province sits on a peninsula and stretch of coast that faces the East Sea, with long beaches, fishing villages, and a resort strip that has been growing steadily.
Vung Tau suits golfers based in or visiting Ho Chi Minh City who want a weekend coastal golf escape, travelers who want to play Vietnam’s top-rated course at The Bluffs without flying, and couples looking for a beach and golf combination within easy driving distance of Saigon.
Best golf courses in Vung Tau
Three courses give you genuine variety, from Vietnam’s most decorated layout to a straightforward beachside 27-hole facility.
- The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram
According to GolfLux course information, The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip is an 18-hole par 71 course measuring 7,007 yards, with a slope rating of 131 and a course rating of 74. It was designed by Greg Norman and is located at Phuoc Thuan, Xuyen Moc, along the Ho Tram coastline.
This is the course that draws golfers to the province. Greg Norman has described the experience of playing links golf among the dunes of southern Vietnam with ocean views throughout the round as one of the most unique in the world. The layout captures genuine links conditions on coastal terrain, with natural dune formations, exposed fairways, and wind that changes the playing challenge through the day. The Grand Ho Tram resort complex adjacent to the course provides 5-star accommodation, dining, and a casino, making it a complete stay-and-play destination.
The Bluffs suits golfers who want to play Vietnam’s most awarded course, links golf enthusiasts, and travelers willing to make the two-hour drive from HCMC for a course with genuine international standing.
- Chau Duc Golf Course (Sonadezi Vung Tau)
According to GolfLux course information, Chau Duc Golf Course is an 18-hole par 72 layout measuring 6,663 yards, with a slope of 136 and a course rating of 71.6. The course was also designed by Greg Norman and is located in Chau Duc District within a larger development area. It uses Paspalum grass.
Chau Duc has a flatter terrain than The Bluffs, with natural high and low points running north to south across the course. Trees frame many holes, and the compact layout makes it practical for tournament play. The clubhouse includes a restaurant, pro shop, and modern locker rooms. At 6,663 yards it is shorter than The Bluffs but the slope of 136 indicates it still presents a meaningful challenge.
Chau Duc suits golfers who want a second Norman-designed round in the province without replaying The Bluffs, players who prefer a parkland setting over exposed coastal links, and groups looking for a tournament-suitable layout.
- Vung Tau Paradise Golf Course
According to GolfLux course information, Vung Tau Paradise Golf Course is a 27-hole facility located on Thuy Van Street near the centre of Vung Tau city, designed by Taiwan Golf Corporation. The course is built on gentle slopes with water features including lakes edged with lotus flowers.
This is the most accessible course in the area geographically, sitting close to Vung Tau’s main beach strip. The 27-hole format lets golfers play different 9-hole combinations, and the gentle terrain makes it suitable for a wider range of abilities. The beachside location means you can combine a round with sea bathing on the same day. The course has hosted golf competitions with international participants.
Vung Tau Paradise suits golfers who want a convenient, less demanding round close to the city centre, travelers who are staying in Vung Tau rather than Ho Tram, and anyone who wants to play early morning golf and follow it with a beach day.
Which course is better?
If you want the best course in the province and one of the best in Vietnam, The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram is the clear pick. If you want a second Greg Norman round with a different character, Chau Duc complements it well. Vung Tau Paradise is the relaxed option for golfers who want convenience and gentle terrain close to town. For a multi-day trip, playing The Bluffs and Chau Duc across two days, with Vung Tau Paradise as an optional third round, gives you the full picture of what the province offers.
Best time to play golf in Vung Tau
Ba Ria-Vung Tau has a tropical climate similar to Ho Chi Minh City but with added coastal breezes that moderate the heat.
December to April. The best window. Dry, warm, and breezy. The Bluffs plays at its best in these conditions, with firm turf and consistent wind. Beach conditions are ideal, and resort availability is strong.
May to June. Transition into the wet season. Still comfortable for golf, with afternoon showers beginning to appear. Morning rounds remain reliable. The coastal breeze keeps conditions more pleasant than inland HCMC.
July to October. The wet season. Afternoon thunderstorms are common, particularly from August to October. Morning tee times are the practical strategy. The courses stay playable, and green fees may be lower during this period.
November. Transition back to dry. A good shoulder month with improving conditions and fewer crowds than peak season.
Vung Tau golf holidays and package tours
Vung Tau works well as a two to four day programme from Ho Chi Minh City. The drive is short enough for a weekend trip, and the Ho Tram resort area provides accommodation that makes longer stays comfortable.
A typical Vung Tau golf package includes resort accommodation at Grand Ho Tram or a Vung Tau beachfront hotel, private transfers from HCMC, tee times at one to three courses, caddie and cart, and usually a beach day or city sightseeing component.
The 6 Days Golf in Saigon – Vung Tau itinerary on GolfLux combines four rounds across HCMC and Vung Tau courses with sightseeing and beach time. For a shorter trip focused on Vung Tau alone, or a custom itinerary, use the trip planner. The Ho Chi Minh City Golf Packages page also covers combined HCMC and Vung Tau options.
Vung Tau suits couples and families well. While one person plays, the other can enjoy the beach, visit the Christ the King statue (Vung Tau’s most recognized landmark), explore the city’s seafood restaurants, or relax at the resort pool and spa.
Golf with beach and coastal travel in Vung Tau
Vung Tau has been a beach escape for Saigon residents for generations, and the coastline running south to Ho Tram adds a resort dimension that is still developing. The two main beaches in the city, Back Beach (Bai Sau) and Front Beach (Bai Truoc), offer swimming, seafood dining, and a relaxed coastal town atmosphere that feels very different from the urban energy of HCMC.
Ho Tram, further down the coast, is quieter and more resort-oriented. The Grand Ho Tram complex includes the casino (one of the few in Vietnam accessible to foreign passport holders), multiple hotels, and of course The Bluffs. The stretch of coast between Vung Tau and Ho Tram also includes Long Hai beach and several smaller fishing villages.
The Christ the King statue on Small Mountain is Vung Tau’s most visible landmark and offers panoramic coastal views from the top. The city also has several temples, a lighthouse, and a former residence of Vietnam’s last emperor that are worth a short visit. The seafood in Vung Tau is notably good and inexpensive, with beachfront restaurants serving fresh catch daily.
Book tee times in Vung Tau
Booking tee times in Vung Tau is best coordinated with HCMC transfers and accommodation, particularly for The Bluffs, which is further from the city than the other two courses. Weekend availability at The Bluffs can be tight due to demand from HCMC golfers, so advance booking is important.
When booking, confirm:
- Which courses you want to play
- Your ideal dates and tee times
- Morning versus afternoon preference
- Whether you need club rental
- Cart and caddie arrangements
- Whether you are staying in Vung Tau city or at Ho Tram
- Private car transfer from HCMC
- Whether you want to combine with HCMC courses on the same trip
One practical tip: if you are driving from HCMC on the same day as your first round, head to Ho Tram first and schedule an afternoon tee time at The Bluffs. The two-hour drive plus check-in makes a morning round tight. Play Chau Duc or Vung Tau Paradise on your second day, when you are already based locally and transfers are shorter. And book The Bluffs weekday if possible: the course is noticeably quieter than on weekends, and the pace of play is faster, which matters on a links course where wind conditions change through the day.