Central Vietnam’s status as an elite golf hub was reaffirmed last month as Ba Na Hills Golf Club was named ‘Golf Course of the Year in Vietnam’ at the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) Awards.
With championship layouts designed by legends such as Luke Donald (Ba Na Hills Golf Club), Sir Nick Faldo (Laguna Golf Lang Co), and Colin Montgomerie (Montgomerie Links), Central Vietnam has emerged as one of Asia’s top destinations for play.
The region’s glowing reputation was burnished once again at the 2024 IAGTO Awards held in Abu Dhabi as Ba Na Hills Golf Club added to its string of honours.
“We are truly proud to be named ‘Golf Course of the Year in Vietnam’,” said Gary Dixon, General Manager of Ba Na Hills. “This award not only highlights the club’s achievements but also puts a positive spotlight on the entire Vietnam Golf Coast, reinforcing Central Vietnam’s status as one of Asia’s premier golf tourism destinations.”
With its vibrant cities, incredible beaches and hotels complemented by an enviable infrastructure, the region is regarded by many observers as the continent’s most complete golf destination: a fact reflected in a multitude of accolades for its clubs.
Laguna Golf Lang Co and Ba Na Hills, linchpins alongside Montgomerie Links of the Vietnam Golf Coast (VGC) — a destination marketing organization that links Central Vietnam’s best signature golf layouts — were named among the top 11 golf resorts in Asia last year.
The two clubs were among the superstars at the top of the leaderboard in a list compiled by Golf.com, one of the world’s leading golf titles, encompassing top golf destinations in Korea, China, Thailand and Indonesia. Not only were the two clubs ranked among the cream of the region’s golf resorts, but their inclusion in the Asia list also guaranteed them spots in the overall Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World standings.
“Vietnam’s reputation as a golf destination has never been brighter and we are confident that the cluster of courses in the centre of the country represents the jewel in its crown,” said Stephen Banks, Director of Golf at Laguna Lang Co. “The courses offer a wide variety of experiences to golfers. You can play seaside coastal golf one day and enjoy terrific mountain vistas the next day.”
Central Vietnam’s burgeoning reputation on the global stage was reflected during 2023, a year that saw the total number of rounds played on its courses reach an all-time high.
The key players in the VGC are gunning for further accolades to boost the area with Montgomerie Links, Ba Na Hills, and Laguna Golf Lang Co all nominated for the title of ‘Vietnam’s Best Course’ at the 2024 World Golf Awards.
“Success breeds success, so it is fantastic for all of us that the clubs in Central Vietnam are earning wider recognition,” said Le Vo Hoang Van, club manager at Montgomerie Links, where Colin Montgomerie has fashioned old-world design elements into a challenging layout. “With all these internationally accoladed golf courses in one place, it’s a great chance for golfers from all over the world to come and decide which is their favourite.”