Vietnam seeks to strengthen golf tourism ecosystem

Vietnam is working to bolster its golf tourism industry, with the country's tourism authority identifying golf tourism as a key product in the nation's latest tourism strategy. According to Nguyen Trung Khanh, chairman of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, golf tourism has significant potential for growth and has been recognized as an important tourism product by the Politburo.

Vietnam has seen a rise in both domestic and international tourists, with 113 million domestic tourists arriving in the first eight months of 2026, up 6.6 percent year-on-year, and 16 million international tourists, up 15 percent from the same period last year. Golf tourism is considered a high-value product that can be tied to various other experiences, such as accommodation, leisure, transport, dining, healthcare, and cultural activities across different regions.

Vietnam's diverse landscapes, high-quality golf courses, and improving tourism services make it a promising destination for golf tourism, both regionally and globally. The nation has been consistently ranked as Asia's Best Golf Destination nine times and the World's Best Golf Destination twice.

To capitalize on this potential, Vietnam should focus on developing a comprehensive golf tourism ecosystem by encouraging collaboration between golf courses, travel companies, accommodations, airlines, and tourism destinations. This integration could lead to longer stays, enhanced visitor experiences, and increased economic contributions from golf tourism. International recognition of Vietnam's golf destinations could further drive improvements in product offerings and promotional efforts in key overseas markets.

Experts, such as Peter Walton, CEO of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), emphasize the importance of destination clusters, diverse golf products, and tailored strategies for individual golf courses and destinations. Organized and interconnected golf tourism can help improve capacity utilization, increase revenue, and promote sustainable growth in the golf industry.

The Vietnam Golf & Leisure Awards, which have been recognizing outstanding golf courses, resorts, brands, service providers, and businesses since 2007, aim to encourage quality improvement, innovation, and sustainable development within the golf industry. At the 2026 ceremony, 56 awards were presented across 47 categories, highlighting the country's commitment to strengthening its position as a golf destination.