Central Vietnam
Vietnam is in the midst of a golfing boom with more than 50 courses currently under construction. Arguably its greatest hotspot is the central section of its glorious eastern coastline. Here, where the sparkling South China Sea laps up onto its golden beaches, the country is packed with historic cities and sites, spectacular scenery and cultural diversity. It is also home to more than enough strong courses to warrant its billing as Vietnam’s Golf Coast.
The par-3 sixteenth at Ba Na Hills, an island green in a lush, tropical setting
(Image credit: Rob Smith)
From Hanoi in the north or Ho Chi Minh City in the south, it’s just a short flight to the heart of the action, the French colonial port of Da Nang. Within easy reach are several excellent courses including the outstanding and multiple award winning Ba Na Hills. This was designed in 2016 by Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, and it works its way through an undulating jungle-scape overlooked by lush, green mountains. It is packed with drama, variety and interest. The front nine is on more level ground, but the bunkering and water features keep you thinking, while the back nine is more hilly, and somehow even more photogenic. The food and welcome in the cool and stylish clubhouse are also brilliant.
The vast sandscapes at Hoiana Shores with the spacious clubhouse in the distance
(Image credit: Gary Lisbon)
The recently re-branded Legend Danang and Montgomerie Links are both on the outskirts of the city, while a few miles further south along the coast is the superb new Robert Trent Jones Junior design, Hoiana Shores. This thoroughly modern links is full of the architect’s trademark grand statements and expansive bunkering, and enjoys a spacious, attractive and very sandy setting down by the beach. Nearby is the IMG development at Vinpearl Golf Nam Hoi An, while at the very southern end of the central belt, KN Golf Links is a Greg Norman design with attractive and subtle greenside run offs, and catchment areas that lead into distinctive and bold bunkering.
The par-4 seventh at Laguna Lang Co
(Image credit: Laguna Lang Co)
Laguna Lang Co
This tropical beauty is just over the hills to the north of Da Nang and is a Nick Faldo signature design. It opened for play in 2013, since when it has built a deserved reputation for its scenic but testing setting. The course runs over a surprising variety of terrain taking in forest, rice paddies tended by water buffalo, jungle, beach, river and dunes.
At the far…
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