With its modern golf courses that meet international standards and world-class accommodations, Hanoi is set to become an exciting destination for golfers both at home and abroad, according to Nguyen Hong Minh, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Tourism Department.
This was announced at the conference on “Orientation and Linkage in Developing Golf Tourism between Hanoi and Localities,” which was co-chaired by the Hanoi Municipal Department of Tourism and the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) held on December 1-2 in Son Tay town. Son Tay is a leading destination for golf tourism services in the capital city.
Boosting golf tourism promotion
| Local authorities aim to develop golf tourism in Hanoi. Photo: Hanoi Department of Tourism |
Minh mentioned that Hanoi possesses immense potential for golf tourism, thanks to its unique natural and cultural resources, integrated transportation system, and high-quality accommodations like Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi, JW Marriott Hotel Hanoi, InterContinental Hanoi Westlake, Grand Vista Hanoi, and Hotel du Parc Hanoi.
Furthermore, Hanoi boasts professional golf infrastructure and services with six golf course clusters offering ten standard courses, such as BRG Kings Island Golf Resort, Sky Lake Resort & Golf Club, and Long Bien Golf Course. The city also boasts around ten training camps, including Dao Sen Golf and The Hanoi Club.
Going forward, the golf tourism in Hanoi will be combined with other tourism products, such as MICE tourism or wellness tourism in other northern localities, to attract domestic and international tourists. South Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia are the targeted source markets, while North America, Australia, and the Middle East are long-term targets.
During the conference, Nguyen Trung Khanh, Chairman of VNAT, stated that Vietnam is considered an ideal golfing paradise in Asia due to its diverse terrain, with three-quarters of the country being mountainous, and over 3,260 km of coastline with world-famous beaches. Moreover, Vietnam boasts majestic landscapes and a tropical climate that offers sunshine almost all year round. These are favorable conditions for investing in and developing golf courses and golf tourism.
| King’s Island Golf Course in Dong Mo, Son Tay Town, Hanoi |
Vietnam has several excellent and high-class golf courses, many of which are designed by world-renowned golfers. These courses attract adventurous players due to their unique topography and abundant natural and cultural resources.
Across the country, many unique golf courses are being built in stunning surroundings close to luxury resorts. The development of golf tourism helps diversify products and attracts visitors with higher spending power and longer stays, therefore stimulating the high-end market.
Local linkages are necessary
Vietnam’s tourism development strategy until 2030, approved by the Prime Minister, identifies infrastructure development and golf tourism as key directions for Vietnam’s tourism sector.
According to Khanh, Hanoi is currently seen as a promising destination for golf tourism. However, other localities in the north and the Red River Delta are also appealing and have the ability to meet the ever-increasing demand of tourists seeking new destinations. Strengthening linkages between these localities and developing golf tourism will yield additional benefits for each location.
| The golf scene in Hanoi is continuously growing. Photo: Duong Thu Huong |
During the conference, it was agreed upon that it is crucial to promote golf tourism in hotels and develop package tours, among other initiatives.
Dang Huong Giang, Director of the Hanoi Tourism Department, revealed that the Hanoi Tourism Golf Tournament 2023 is currently taking place at BRG Kings Island Golf Resort in Dong Mo, Son Tay. The competition has attracted golfers from tourism units and enterprises, golf courses, and airlines in the northern region. Through this tournament, Dong Mo tourist areas, destinations, and resorts in Son Tay can be effectively promoted.
| Hanoi is home to many local and international golf tournaments. Photo: An Tran |
Based on this golf tourism linkage program, Hanoi can leverage the advantages of golf tourism in Son Tay Town and other areas within the city and northern localities to offer high-quality golf tourism products.
Tran Anh Tuan, Secretary of the Son Tay Party Committee, mentioned that the local Dong Mo golf course, which is the oldest in the capital and has 55 holes, attracts between 12,000 and 15,000 foreign tourists annually, representing five times the number of domestic tourists. However, there are still limitations in the local golf tourism business, such as a low number of overnight visitors, accounting for only 5% of the total visitor count.
Truong Quoc Hung, Chairman of the Hanoi UNESCO Travel Club, attributes this to the high cost and poor booking system for groups, as golf courses in the area primarily cater to individual customers. Therefore, localities must work together to provide quality products at reasonable prices.
