Luxury or Affordable golf in Vietnam
Golf in Vietnam is growing faster than ever. In the past, many people considered golf a luxury sport only for the upper class, but now that image has changed significantly. The number of new golf courses is constantly expanding, the cost of playing is increasingly diverse, and the needs of golfers are also more diverse. Some people want to find a Vietnam golf holiday at high-end international-standard resorts, while others prefer budget golf courses.
Because of that, many golfers often ask: should I choose luxury or affordable golf in Vietnam? Are luxury golf courses really worth the cost? Are budget golf course good enough for practice, or will they limit the experience?
This article helps you understand the difference between these two groups of courses, and also provides a list of typical courses for you to easily refer to before booking a tee time, making it easier to decide whether luxury or affordable golf in Vietnam suits your style.
Luxury golf in Vietnam is defined by world-class, award-winning golf courses set in stunning natural landscapes (beachfront, mountains), combined with five-star resorts and exceptional service. The refined cuisine at the golf resort system offers an impressive and diverse cultural experience that enhances the overall luxury experience, going beyond ordinary golf.
The highlight of high-end golf courses lies in the design created by leading architects such as Greg Norman, Robert Trent Jones Jr, Nick Faldo or Jack Nicklaus. Each course has its own philosophy, creating strategic fairways, sophisticated bunkers and impressive natural landscapes. The quality of the turf is cared for daily, the greens are smooth and the speed is stable, giving golfers a challenging yet aesthetically pleasing experience.
Playing golf in the luxury segment is a complete journey. Professional caddies, spacious clubhouses, locker areas, resort-standard showers and saunas make golfers always feel comfortable. Restaurants serve quality menus, from local to international cuisine, making the game a complete relaxing activity.
Many courses limit the number of players and possess unique landscapes along the coast or in the mountains. Tee times are arranged reasonably to create privacy and a pleasant playing pace. Some courses also have shuttle service or on-site resorts, which is ideal for golf trips combined with relaxation.
Golfing in Vietnam is affordable thanks to competitive pricing among courses, numerous promotions, low caddie fees, and the availability of budget-friendly options such as driving ranges, along with package deals and off-peak hours, making courses surprisingly accessible to golfers.
Courses in the economy segment have softer fees, especially on weekdays or off-peak hours. This is a familiar choice for domestic golfers and tourists who want a quick experience but still affordable.
Despite the affordable price, the courses still have neat clubhouses, clean lockers and basic caddie services. The course conditions are maintained stably, suitable for players to practice or compete recreationally.
This is a suitable choice for beginners, regular players or anyone who wants to optimize costs while still ensuring a complete experience during the trip.
Vietnam boasts stunning luxury golf courses such as The Bluffs, Hoiana Shores, and Montgomerie Links (often ranked among the top for scenery/design). In addition to these luxury options, there are also many more affordable choices from north to south, such as Long Bien Golf Club, Vietnam Golf & Country Club, Song Be Golf Resort, …. Visiting Vietnam offers world-class experiences, from challenging coastal golf courses to tropical golf resorts, suitable for every budget, featuring stunning views and top-tier designs by legends like Nicklaus and Greg Norman.
These luxury golf courses are ideal for golfers seeking premium landscapes, challenges and resort-style experiences during a Vietnam golf holiday
Design
Sky Lake consists of two courses: the Sky Course and the Lake Course. The Sky Course is more friendly to intermediate golfers, while the Lake Course is more challenging. Both courses take advantage of the natural terrain around the lake and forest, creating a sense of harmony with the landscape while still maintaining clearly tactical fairways. Many tee boxes are located in high positions, creating wide and inspiring views for tee shots.
Difficulty
The Lake Course is famous for its combination of large lakes, deep bunkers and many dogleg holes that force players to play strategically. The wind in the lake area often changes, making long shots more unpredictable. Some long par 5s require precise shots from start to finish, especially when the green is protected by sloping bunkers.
Landscape
Because it is located between hills and a natural lake, Sky Lake feels separate from the city. The peaceful space, many green areas surrounding the fairways make players feel like they are playing golf in the forest. The lake view holes are beautiful, especially in the morning when the water reflects the sunlight.
Outstanding services
The clubhouse is spacious and fully equipped with modern locker rooms, a restaurant area and a lounge area overlooking the course. The course also has an integrated resort, suitable for golfers wanting a full Vietnam golf holiday experience. Caddies are well trained and have a good understanding of the slope of each green, helping golfers handle many difficult situations.
Sky Lake Golf Resort (Hanoi)
Design
The design is a modern links style, shaped by Colin Montgomerie based on the natural features of the Central Coast. The course has wide fairways but is not easy because the natural sand dunes create undulating terrain, forcing players to carefully consider the direction and elevation of their shots. Many holes are arranged with deep bunkers, long and narrow in shape, creating a feeling of both beauty and strategy, make it one of the standout luxury golf courses in Vietnam
Difficulty
The difficulty of Montgomerie Links lies in the combination of constantly changing sea breezes and deep bunkers that are difficult to escape. Some par 4 holes require precise drives to avoid sand dunes or thick rough. The greens are often quite fast and have a gentle slope, forcing golfers to read lines carefully. This is an ideal course for golfers who want to challenge their ability to hit the ball in natural wind conditions at one of Vietnam’s well known luxury golf courses.
Landscape
The course is interwoven with sand dunes, smooth green grass and low bushes, true to the spirit of a links course near the sea. Some holes open up a beautiful view of the Marble Mountains and the Da Nang coast, creating the feeling of playing golf while enjoying nature.
Outstanding services
The modernly designed clubhouse has a spacious space, the restaurant serves a variety of Asian and European dishes. The practice area has a full putting green, chip area and standard driving range, suitable for golfers to warm up or practice techniques. The caddies are professional, know each hole well and often give very useful advice.
Montgomerie Links Vietnam
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One of Vietnam’s most internationally recognized luxury golf courses.
Design
Hoiana Shores is built in a modern links style. The course is very large, with open fairways, but the sea breeze creates many variables in each shot. The bunkers here are famous for being large and deep, with long bunker holes running close to the fairways, forcing golfers to carefully consider their tee shot strategy. The terrain is kept natural, with limited filling, creating a realistic experience.
Difficulty
The most difficult factor here is the wind, which is often strong and changes depending on the time of day. Reading the wind direction continuously is an important skill. Many greens are designed with light waves, increasing the difficulty when putting. Some par 3 holes are quite far away and located right next to the beach, creating a challenging but very beautiful feeling.
Landscape
The course is adjacent to the Hoi An coast with holes stretching along the water’s edge. In the afternoons, the sunset covers the sea, creating a particularly attractive scene. The course has a natural tone of sand, sea and grass, creating a space that is both wild and luxurious.
Outstanding services
As an international standard course, Hoiana Shores has high-class services from changing rooms, restaurants to small shopping areas. Operated adjacent to Hoiana Resort, golfers can easily relax, enjoy spa, cuisine or entertainment after a round of golf, ideal for a full-package Vietnam golf holiday.
Hoiana Shores Golf Club
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Design
Designed by Greg Norman based on the natural coastal sand dunes, the course has many holes located on high ground, creating open and interesting views. The undulating fairways allow the ball to roll in unexpected directions after landing. The dune-style design creates a wild feeling and requires many creative shots.
Difficulty
This is one of the most difficult courses in the South. Strong winds blow from the sea up the hill, creating many extremely difficult shots to control. Deep bunkers are located close to the fairway, the greens are small and the slopes are complex. Golfers need good ball control skills, especially when playing in rapidly changing weather conditions.
Landscape
The view of Ho Tram beach is very beautiful with many holes directly facing the sea. The white sand and blue of the sea create an impressive natural backdrop. Some holes are located on high hills with views to the horizon.
Outstanding services
Luxury clubhouse with quality restaurants, comfortable locker rooms. The course area is located near hotels and coastal resorts, convenient for golfers who want to combine their vacation with a golf course. The staff is enthusiastic and professional. Being honored as one of the best golf courses in Asia, The Bluffs Ho Tram is frequently chosen for premium Vietnam golf holiday packages.
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Ideal for regular practice, cost-saving sessions. These budget golf courses deliver good value without sacrificing fun.
The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram Strip
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Design
The design is friendly for all levels of players. Fairways are wide, with reasonable sand traps, not too complicated. The green area is quite open and easy to access, helping new golfers quickly get used to the real golf course rhythm.
Difficulty
This is a moderately difficult course. The fairways are quite straight, with few doglegs, so it is easy to orient the tee shot. The green is not too steep, suitable for practicing putting. The holes have small lakes, creating a gentle challenge but not causing much pressure.
Landscape
The landscape is mainly green grass, artificial lakes and low rows of trees running along the fairway. The space is airy and bright, creating a relaxing feeling suitable for practice sessions at the end of the day.
Outstanding services
Reasonable cost, quick course booking process. Full practice area, suitable for improving technique, friendly caddie make it one of the most popular budget golf courses among beginners.
Van Lang Empire Golf Club
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Design
The course is designed with 27 holes in three rounds with a diverse layout, each round has its own characteristics. The strength of the course lies in its convenience and ability to serve a large number of golfers every day. Many holes are reasonably arranged for intermediate players, but there are still a few long holes or many bunkers to create excitement.
Difficulty
Long Bien is not too difficult, so it is suitable for regular practice. However, if players want a challenge, some holes have bunkers placed right at the landing position, which can easily cause the drive to deviate if not well controlled. The green has a gentle slope, helping golfers practice their ability to putt steadily.
Landscape
The space is wide, clean and well-maintained. The course is located near the center, so there is no sea or mountain view, but it still creates a relaxing feeling thanks to the arrangement of trees and small lakes along the fairway.
Outstanding services
The course opens very early and has night lights, suitable for busy golfers. The clubhouse is spacious, the service is fast. This is a course that is often used for internal tournaments or corporate events.
Long Bien Golf Course
Design
As one of the oldest courses in Vietnam, the layout has a classic style. The three rounds of 9 holes are designed with increasing difficulty, from easy to familiar with many complex water traps. The course is suitable for golfers of all levels.
Difficulty
Moderate difficulty, focusing on holes with small lakes and bunkers placed close to the edge of the green. The fairway is not too narrow but requires golfers to control the ball well if they want to score well on the most difficult round.
Landscape
The course has many large trees, creating natural shade. Green grass and small lakes create a cool feeling, especially pleasant in the morning.
Outstanding services
Large driving range, reasonable cost. Caddies are friendly and familiar with the course, good support for new golfers.
Song Be Golf Resort
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Both luxury golf and budget golf in Vietnam are not absolutely “better”; they offer different experiences. The best choice depends on your budget and priorities: luxury golf for a lavish vacation with top-tier amenities, or budget golf that allows you to play as many rounds as possible on fantastic courses without breaking the bank, making Vietnam a top value destination overall. Here is the most concise version to help you see the difference between the two golf course segments:
| Factors | Luxury Courses | Affordable Courses |
| Cost | High, from $95 to more than $150 for an 18-hole round | From $37 to $85, suitable for regular play |
| Course Quality | International standard design, high-quality grass, beautiful landscape, high challenge | Simple design, good quality grass but not too outstanding |
| Services | Professional caddie, large clubhouse, 5-star restaurant, spa and resort | Basic and friendly, suitable for people want to practice quickly |
| Additional Amenities | Resort, luxury hotel, entertainment area, beach | Few amenities, focus on the course and driving range |
| Location | Usually located near tourist areas, away from the city center | Near residential areas, convenient to move |
| Suitable Audience | Vacationers, golfer looking for special experiences | People who practice regularly or golfers who like to save costs |
Every kind of golfer can find a variety of golf courses in Vietnam. The best option depends on your travel objectives and financial constraints, ranging from accessible local courses perfect for frequent practice to opulent championship courses created for upscale golf vacations.
Are you prepared to implement your plan? Allow us to assist you in selecting the ideal course and easily securing your tee time. Get personalized golf tour advice in Vietnam, explore our golf packages in Vietnam, or book tee times immediately with our trusted local partners.
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