Things to do in Vietnam

The city has rustic origins and is well-known as the coffee capital of Vietnam. Buon Ma Thuot will enchant you with the wild and bucolic landscapes, impressive waterfalls, and unique flavors of Vietnam's best Robusta coffee. It appeals more and more to travelers of its extraordinarily diverse ethnic minorities. The Best Time To Travel To Buon Ma ThuotTay Nguyen has two distinct seasons, dry and rainy (from May to November). In the rainy season, roads are quite difficult because many roads are still earth roads. The dry season is usually the first months of the year, the weather is cool, not too hot.In the Central Highlands, there are many festivals and festivals in the Central Highlands. Ban Don elephant racing festival is held in March every year.Top Things To Do In Buon Ma Thuot1. DRAY SAP WATERFALLDray Sap waterfall is located about 39km from Buon Me Thuot city on the road towards the city. Ho Chi Minh City is the connecting point between the two provinces of Dak Lak and Dak Nong. You can travel by motorbike rented in the city or by car. The height of the Dray Sap waterfall is about 20m and the width is quite impressive when it reaches nearly 100m. The majestic stream of water poured down from above forming white water with an impression of smoke. Entering the pristine forest, passing the gorging streams, the convex rocks, and sometimes meeting a waterfall falling from the cliffs makes us very excited. The deeper you go, the sound of the stream gurgling, the sound of rustling leaves, or the sound of birds singing is replaced by the sound of the powerful pouring water. You will feel the very majestic scenery of the waterfall when going deep inside. 2. EA KAO LAKEFrom the centre of Buon Ma Thuot city. Tourists drive along Highway 14 for about 4km, turn left and go for another 8km until they meet the Y Wang junction. Covering an area of ​​up to 120 hectares (not including the lake surface area). Although it is built with a modern structure, the whole project still bears the national cultural identity with diverse terrain from hillsides, slits, slopes… The point that makes visitors interested is the green space surrounding, the large lake, fresh air, creating an ideal ecological environment. The interior is divided into many small areas serving all the needs of visitors such as entertainment areas, motels, flower gardens, restaurants, botanical gardens, children’s areas, campsites, and nature reserves. … Every area is conveniently arranged, rich and attractive in the landscape. 3. GIA LONG WATERFALLAs is one of the beautiful waterfalls on the Serepok river. It is located on the border between the two provinces of Dak Nong and Dak Lak. Gia Long Waterfall is also known as Dray Sap Thuong. The origin of waterfall’s name is derived from the time when King Bao Dai arrived here to travel. Inspired by the natural beauty of the waterfall, he took the name of King Gia Long – the first king of the NguyenDynasty to name this waterfall. 4. TROHBU BOTANIC GARDENNot only is known as the new eco-tourism area of ​​Dak Lak province. But Troh Bu is also known as the most beautiful landscape garden in the Central Highlands. Located in Buon Nieng 3, Ea Neurol commune, Buon Don district, only about 13 kilometers west ofBuon Me Thuot center. Because of the natural landscape filled with trees and cool streams. Troh Bu eco-tourism area was born. Troh Bu’s main goal is to preserve the natural forest orchids, as well as some other rare plant species in the Vietnamese highlands. Although it is a privately owned botanical garden, people have taken great efforts inrecreating the old forest environment and landscape for this place.5. DAK LAK MUSEUMAlso known as the Museum of Ethnic Culture in the Central Highlands. Built on the main Bao Dai Palace – a historical relic of Dak Lak. The museum has about 1,000 artifacts and images, organized into 3 main exhibition spaces (biodiversity, ethnic culture, and history). This is a cultural architecture built in a modern style combined with special ethnic cultural traditions. Dak Lak Museum is also one of the pioneering museums in the use of indigenous languages ​​on display. Follow the winding roads, the stone steps. You can go along the flow of the Virgin waterfall to see the blue-green landscape here. After getting tired, visitors can take a break in the lovely leaf huts to mingle with nature, plants, andcool water. Virgin Falls is simply rapid. In the dry season, the waterfall seems to be nestled on the rugged rock steps to wait for the rain to come, the water is pouring down, wild and extremely intense. All bring to Virgin Waterfall a wild beauty that captivates human hearts.As the Largest Aviation-Tourism Corporation in the country, Vietravel consistently provides high-standard services at the most competitive prices so that you can discover the beauty of not only Vietnam but all of Southeast Asia. Please contact us for more informationVietravel - Asia Leading Tour OperatorHotline: (84) 35 235 61 61Email: [email protected]: www.vietravelasia.com#VietravelAsia #Vietravel #Vietnam      

Vietnam is packed with appeal for travelers, from the authentic countryside to pulsing metropolises. From its unending idyllic beaches, mesmerizing terraced rice fields, and magnificent landscape, as well as a rich cultural heritage, there is so much to see and experience in this charming country!As of January 2023, regular passport holders from 25 COUNTRIES can receive visa-free entry to Vietnam.To enter Vietnam, a valid visa is required for citizens of most countries to visit Vietnam, unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries or only plan to visit Vietnam's Phu Quoc Island. There are three ways of obtaining a visa for traveling to Vietnam: 1) Traditional visa directly from a Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate ; 2) E-visa via online application (available for a maximum of 30 days single entry, and for nationals of 80 countries only); 3) Visa on arrival with a pre-approved visa letter.As the Largest Aviation-Tourism corporation in the country, Vietravel consistently provides high-standard services at the most competitive prices so that you can discover the beauty of not only Vietnam but all of Southeast Asia.  Please contact us for more information Vietravel – Asia’s Leading Tour OperatorHotline: (84) 35 235 61 61 Email: [email protected] Website: www.vietravelasia.com #VietravelAsia #Vietravel #Vietnam    

There are certain areas in Ho Chi Minh City where foreigners are an oddity. In others, they seem to be everywhere, clustered near boutique sandwich shops and craft beer bars. Whether you want to blend into normal Vietnamese life or have some version of home, there’s a place for you in this city.Binh ThanhMost of this district is hiding down tiny alleys, which don’t look like much, but the inside of many of the homes would amaze you. There are so many cool places to live, and most landlords are more than happy to have foreigners. This is about as close as you can get to District 1 without inflated rents — but it doesn’t have the feel of a downtown metropolis. If you want to live in an actual Vietnamese community, rather than one that’s overflowing with foreigners and/or tourists, this hip district is for you. And if you love Japanese culture, be sure to check out Japan Town.District 3District 3 is a bit cheaper than District 1, but not by much. You’ll find many old families who’ve lived in their homes for generations, as well as young professionals who want to live close to their work. There are many government buildings in this district, so it does have a bit of a stuffy feel to it — but not around the canal. Many expats live near the Nhieu Loc–Thi Nghe Canal because it’s one of the few areas of green space in the city. The nightlife is also really cool, and there are many delicious restaurants within walking distance.Phu NhuanAnd on the other side of the Nhieu Loc–Thi Nghe Canal is Phú Nhuận. The area along Trường Sa Street is popular with expats because of the plentiful cafes and restaurants. And it’s only a 10-minute drive to the downtown, so you’re not isolating yourself by living here. District 1As long as you don’t mind higher rents and smaller accommodations, then District 1 is an exciting place to live. It’s more popular among newer expats, though, because most people get sick of the traffic and the hectic pace of life. And unless you’re willing to spend some serious money, you’ll likely be sharing a room in a house with others. There are as many nightmare roommate stories as there are expats in Vietnam. The upside, however, is that you’re right in the action. Many of the best bars, clubs, cafes and restaurants are minutes away.District 7A large number of the seasoned expats in the city reside in District 7 — and in the Phú Mỹ Hưng area, especially. You’ll find all the imported creature comforts you could ever want here: fancy restaurants, cafes, world class gyms, international schools, spas and boutique shops. Korean and Japanese business people in particular gravitate to this area. Think of it as an upscale suburb.District 2With such a large concentration of international schools, District 2 attracts many teaching professionals. Thao Dien ward in particular almost feels like foreigners are the majority these days. Expats here pay a premium for quieter living — to live on streets where they can jog and walk their dogs without insane traffic. You’ll pay more to live in District 2, but that’s the price for a bit of silence in a city of 10 million people.Source: Internet

The beautiful capital of Vietnam, Hanoi has many things to see and do. The old quarter district hums with street vendor action; the cafés and restaurants are vibrant, contemporary scenes; and just trying to cross a road here can end up being an adrenaline-fueled escapade. Make sure to visit as many of these attractions as possible to fully enhance your experience in Hanoi.Walk around Hanoi Old QuarterHanoi Old Quarter is a fascinating area of the city where visitors can enjoy many fine examples of colonial architecture packed along narrow streets. Endless packs of scooters, motorbikes, bicycles, and cars weave around traders selling fruit and souvenirs and narrow shop houses sell delicious Vietnamese food for pennies. The Old Quarter brings to life what many people imagine Hanoi to be, and exploring this area on foot is highly recommended for all visitors to Vietnam’s capital city.Take a tour in Temple of LiteratureThis charming temple complex hosts the Imperial Academy, the oldest university in Vietnam. It was originally built in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong’s dynasty to serve as a center of learning, dedicated to the Chinese scholar Confucius. It's laid out in a sequence of five courtyards from south to north, spanned by three pathways running through the Temple's length. The northernmost and last courtyard is the site of the former university for mandarins called Quoc Tu Giam established in 1076.Visit Ho Chi Minh's MausoleumA place of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is a sprawling complex set within the city's gardens that contains the tomb of Ho Chi Minh as well as various museums and monuments. Ho Chi Minh has left an indelible mark on Vietnamese history and he is revered in Hanoi as the country’s greatest leader. Nicknamed ‘Uncle Ho’ by locals, his preserved body is now laid to rest in a glass case in the Ba Dinh district of Hanoi. This is more than a tourist attraction, it is a part of living history and a visit here stays long in the memory.Watch Water Puppet TheatreFor tourists who want to experience some great performing arts in the city of Hanoi, this is the best place where all kind of performances happen. The abundance of water in Vietnam's rice fields led creative farmers to a brilliant idea: Using disused but waterlogged rice paddies to stage puppet shows. The water covers up the operating mechanism of the puppets, while the puppeteers work behind a black curtain, accompanied by traditional musicians.Explore The Imperial Citadel of Thang LongThe Imperial Citadel of Thang Long is an intriguing relic of Vietnam’s history and, signifying its historical and cultural importance, is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Standing 40 meters high, the central flag tower is the most recognizable feature of the Imperial Citadel and is often used as a symbol of Hanoi. This was the center of ancient Hanoi and served as the political center for eight centuries. A lot of the structure has worn out now but it still is one of the most historical places to visit in Hanoi.Hang out at Hoan Kiem LakeHanoi's most well-known landmark is tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake, nestled just on the southern edge of the old town quarter. The major tourist attraction upon the lake is the small island (reached by a red bridge) that holds Ngoc Son Temple, dedicated to three grand figures from Vietnamese history. A graceful, red-painted wooden bridge leads from the lakeside to Ngoc Son Temple, where devotees continue to perform their religious duties as they have been doing so for almost a thousand years.Source Internet

Da Lat is a south central Vietnamese town that offers travelers good weather, great food, fun shopping and plenty of things to do. Those who come here just for a few days break from big hectic cities like Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) and Hanoi, will definitely enjoy it here.Cable Car du-lich-da-lat.comThe cable car ride from/to Truc Lam Monastery Complex is a popular way to see Dalat from above. Along the two and a half kilometre ride, you can enjoy the attractive scenery such as pine tree-covered hills, rivers, rice plantations and the sea. Truc Lam Monastery Complex is rather new and already famous for its beautiful pagoda. Avoid national and school holidays as well as weekends if you want to avoid the crowds. Truc Lam is a lovely place for picnicking.Elephant and Ostriches Ride timeoutvietnam.comPrenn Waterfall is not just another pretty site to visit in Dalat. It offers many interesting activities including elephant and ostrich rides. The humble elephant will take you through unspoiled nature such as small creeks, lakes and green forests. For those who really want to try something different, here is your chance. Ostriches might not be a common transport option but here in Dalat you can ride on one. The idea of climbing up on an ostrich’s back can be quite a challenge but once you manage to get up there and start the ride it is one of the most interesting experiences as these well-trained animals are used to human and are amazingly friendly. Hiking dynamic-media-cdn.tripadvisor.comLeisurely nature walks along forest trails (or many more adventurer treks for the experience hikers) are another way to discover this area’s beauty. Dalat is full of many natural sights where interesting animals and birds can be found. Some treks may lead you to caves, waterfalls, lakes, volcanic peaks, minority villages, suspension bridges and farmlands too. Lang Bian Mountain (about 12km north of downtown Dalat) is one of the most popular locations for a day or a half-day out hiking. It has five peaks that range from 2100m to 2400m in altitude. Other hot locations for hiking include Ba Be Lake National Park, Pongour Falls and the Lake of Sorrows. Horseback Riding baogialai.com.vnAnother way to enjoy Dalat’s beautiful countryside is on horseback. Visitors can hire horses by the hour and for about twice the amount they can also take a horse-drawn carriage for a pleasure ride around Dalat Flower Garden and the Lake of Sorrow too. Source: Internet

LocationHa Long Ha Long is the capital city and first-class provincial city of Quang Ninh province, Vietnam. Being a coastal city, it has unique potentials of tourism and seaport because its land lies along the shore of Ha Long Bay of 50 km. Ha Long has strategic location of economic development and security of the region and the country. • Area: 271,95 km² (105.00/sq mi) • Population: 227,000 (2013) • Density: 830/km² (2,200/sq mi)OverviewHa LongLocated at about 178 km East of Hanoi, Ha Long city is divided into two parts: East Ha Long and West Ha Long. The Eastern part, Hon Gai, where most of the official buildings and industries are concentrated, is connected with Bai Chay by Bai Chay bridge which is considered to be more of a tourism attraction in the Western part. The city’s economy has recently switched from coal mining to tourism, due to the large number of visitors drawn by the Ha Long Islets every year.HistoryThe name "Ha Long" means "descending dragon". The city was created in 1993, when the old capital, Hon Gai, was merged with Bai Chay – the main tourist area.Ha LongHa Long Bay was recognized the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. Heartland of today's Ha Long City, formerly just a fishing village, called the Oyster Coast. By the beginning of the Nguyen Dynasty, it was renamed to Mau Le. The East wards of the present city earlier belonged to Hoanh Bo District.In 1883, the French occupied the bay area, they carried out coal mining in the mines on the Gulf Coast. As on many islands there was lots of hemps, so French called "Ile des brouilles" or a name translated from Hon Gai to Hon Gay, later renamed Hon Gai. According to the researchers, Hon Gai was called "deviation" from the place of the French Red Sea at that time.After the August Revolution in 1945, this township became the capital town of the huge Hong Gai mine area. Late in 1946, the French conquered of Hon Gai. After Geneva Conference (1954), Hong Gai town was the capital of the Hong Quang special district. On October 30, 1963, the government combined Hai Ninh province and Hong Quang special district to create Quang Ninh Province, chose Hong Gai as the capital of Quang Ninh and expanded town to the East and West. Hong Gai town center provided coal for all industrial zones of Northern Vietnam. It also was the gateway to connect with China so it was the focus of the U.S. raiding fierce in war. Bai Chay Ferry (decommissioned in 2007, this was replaced by the Bai Chay Bridge), the most important transportation hub which American bombs destroyed many times, was awarded Hero of the People's Armed Forces 3 times.Culture and Societywikimedia.orgIn the South of the city, there is Bai Tho (‘Poem’) Mountain which was widely used by some famous poets. The limestone peak is rich in bio-diversity and offers attractive views of the bay. Moreover, there are also many interesting places such as Cua Van Fishing Village, Hoang Gia Park, Ha Long Market, Bai Chay Trading Center, Quang Ninh Museum, Vietnam-Japan Cultural House and Children's Cultural House.Ha Long city has an active Roman Catholic church in its Eastern part, Hon Gai. On the hill near the main post office, it holds the services on Sunday evenings and on Christian holidays.When to go to Ha LongHa LongThe climate of Ha Long follows the typical weather of Northern Vietnam, it belongs to the tropical monsoon temperature type: hot summer with high rainfall, and a cold winter with rare rain. From October to December (Fall) is the best time of year to visit Ha Long thanks to the pleasant weather and low chance of rain, though you can expect the crowds. While June to September (Summer) is the low season and has a higher chance of storms and typhoon. From March to May (Spring), this season has the dry climate and pleasant temperature, you can enjoy all activities offered on board while making sightseeing as perfect as it could be.Source: Internet

Nha Trang, many years ago, was well-known as one of the most interesting destinations in Vietnam. Today, Nha Trang, its hidden culture and natural appearance continually appeal to tourist’s attention. Come here and enjoy according to the ways you want!Nha Trang, the capital of Khanh Hoa province, is located on the south central coast of Vietnam, just over 400 kilometers northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. With over 300 days of sunshine per year and 5.5 km of uninterrupted beach, Nha Trang is the best choice of premium beach destination in Vietnam.The city has a metropolitan area of 251 km2 and a population of about 500,000. Surrounding Nha Trang is the view of mountains, a large island and four smaller ones on the fourth side. Based on the advantage of nature, Nha Trang was chosen as one of 29 most beautiful bay in the world by Travel + Leisure magazine.Nha Trang In terms of climate, Nha Trang has a tropical savanna climate with a long dry season from January to August and a shorter rainy season from September to December. During the wet season, extremely heavy rainfall from typhoons is not uncommon, though the city is shielded from the worst winds.Back to history, the city was known as Kauthara under the Champa. Briefly, Kauthara, also translated as an ancient clam, is a constituent state of the empire-leading kingdom and its ruling area is located in the area from today's Fu An province to Cam Ranh. Their existence created prominent cultural value for this land in particular and Vietnam in general. Therefore, some admitted that the name Nha Trang derives from a Vietnamese spelling of Chăm language, the name of the site Ya Trang (literally Reed River), the name of the Cai River as referred to by the Cham community. Today, the Po Nagar Cham Towers is the special cultural symbol of the city when people think about the land of Cham’s people. This is a must-see destination if you are a cultural seeker. Interestingly, another cultural site that tourists mayvisit is the Long Son Pagoda where they can hear a little about the Vietnam War and the fall of Saigon. Next destination is Nui Catholic Cathedral, a great architecture was built in French Gothic style.If the first day visiting Nha Trang, you are a cultural tourist; the second day you will become a beach-lover. Nha Trang, with the Mother Nature’s preference, has a long white sand beach, clear ocean water and many small islands such as Hòn Tre Island, Hòn Tằm Island. In recent years, local authorities as well as investors have been building Nha Trang look more modernization. Vinpearl Land is clear evidence for its rapid development. Besides, a vast array of luxury resort and restaurant on Tran Phu Street is also a good example. As night fall, the city livens up, and this is time to visit Sailing club, the most popular beach club in town.Last but not least, there are some quite relaxing places for tourists to take healthy skin and reduce stress before backing to a crowded city. Nha Trang is also famous for several natural mud baths place, namely, I-resort, 100 Egg Mudbaths and Tháp Bà. Another option is to go to a spa with reasonably priced to recover youthfulness. Nha Trang in your eyes, shine your smile!

From the cascading rice terraces of Sapa, to the islands of Ha Long Bay, caves of Phong Nha, mountains of Da Lat, the sand dunes of Mui Ne, and the maze of rivers and rice paddies of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam has a diverse offering of bucket list attractions to offer travelers.SapaSapa is Vietnam’s premier trekking base and you can not leave the country without at least a day of hiking through the rice terraces, lush valleys and endless karst peaks of the region. Include Heavens Gate, Mount Fansipan (the highest peak of Indochina) and Muong Hoa Valley in your itinerary, and you’re good to go. Instead of booking a boring hotel, strip back the comfort and spend the night in a village homestay with a tribal family to truly experience the real Sapa. Let them show you what their day-to-day life is like up in the north. “Happy water” (home made rice wine) is a huge part of it, and it’s a lot of fun till it’s not. Check out Sapa O’Chau Travel Enterprise for authentic tours into the region.Ha Long BayHa Long Bay, crowned one of the new seven natural wonders of the world, is the epitome of Vietnamese coastline, with its thousands of limestone karst peaks jutting out of its emerald waters and the hundreds of uninhabited islands topped with dense jungle, scattered around the bay. Taking a tour here is the easiest way to get around as it is a UNESCO Heritage protected site, and most are all-inclusive, with drinks and water activities usually coming at an extra cost. Check out Cat Ba National Park, explore Dau Go cave, and make sure you go kayaking.Ninh BinhYou can get to Ninh Binh directly from Ha Long Bay if you do not wish to go back to Hanoi. Often referred to as the “Ha Long Bay on land,” Ninh Binh is another fantastic destination to surround yourself with Vietnam’s amazingly lush nature. There are four areas of interest here; Tam Coc, Trang An, Van Long Nature Reserve and Cuc Phuong National Park, the last of which is awesome for camping. Don’t spend less than two days here as there is a lot of mountains, rivers, caves, peaks, ancient pagodas, and goats to take in. Phong NhaIn Phong Nha, as usual, there is spectacular scenery above ground, but what is even more jaw-dropping here is what is found underground. Phong Nha is known for its numerous caves and the world’s largest cave system, Hang Son Doong, is located here. Sadly, you probably won’t be exploring that anytime soon as it costs a staggering $3,000 for an excursion here by Oxalis which is the only company allowed to offer expeditions into the cave and area. Plus, not to mention, there’s a two or so year waiting list. Don’t let this dishearten you though as you can opt for Hang En cave, the third largest in the world, or Paradise Cave. The Phong Nha Ke Bang national park is also the largest in Vietnam, and home to the last wild populations of black bears, elephants and tigers in Vietnam, so you may want to curb the backpacker instincts of wanting to wander off alone.Source the culture trip

Despite travel restrictions and other hurdles of the pandemic, Vietnam continues to grow its stable of world-class golf properties to buttress its reputation as a bucket-list destination.In the metaverse era, you can go anywhere without moving. So it is that Brian Curley is sitting in his workroom in Paradise Valley, Ariz., surveying the giant dunes that line the coastline of Quang Binh Province in north-central Vietnam. ▶ Curley’s travel horizons are narrower because of the pandemic, but the architect has not been underemployed of late. Today he is mulling the contours of his latest creation at FLC Quang Binh, a 6,000-acre site south of Dong Hoi that runs along a beach. ▶ Curley, a former Pete Dye acolyte who heads up the Schmidt-Curley architecture practice, has already designed two courses—Ocean Dunes and Forest Dunes—for the ambitious project. The plan is for eight more layouts, extending into the site’s vertiginous dunes. It is to those that Curley is attending on this brisk desert morning.“This one is a bit of a curveball,” says Curley, who hasn’t visited Asia since late 2019. “It’s a sand-based property at the beach, but the water table is only one meter below ground level and is subject to flooding. This means we have to move a fair amount of material while retaining the natural beauty of the site.”Curley’s long-distance forays into Vietnam are not confined to the Quang Binh coastline. He’s training his design tech on other projects at sites across the nation. Once completed, they will bolster a portfolio that includes Stone Valley Golf Resort just south of Hanoi, FLC Ha Long Bay overlooking the karst-studded waters of Ha Long Bay, and FLC Quy Nhon on the country’s sun-kissed south-central seaboard. The latter two clubs—and FLC Quang Binh—are backed by FLC Group, Vietnam’s largest real estate company. QUANG BINH Other architects are equally creative. Greg Norman Golf Course Design, Faldo Design, and Nicklaus Design all are beavering away virtually to lend heft to their presence in the Southeast Asian country. Such activity belies any notion that COVID has hindered Vietnam’s golf-course-construction boom. “During 2020, I took about 30 domestic flights to check out sites for Faldo,” says Adam Calver, director of golf at Laguna Golf Lang Co.Calver combines his role at Laguna Golf Lang Co., a Nick Faldo beauty sandwiched between emerald rainforest and the azure ocean, with consultant work for Faldo Design. He also chairs the Vietnam Golf Coast, a destination-marketing effort focused on the clutch of top clubs in central Vietnam, one of the country’s most exciting golfing hubs. He believes the arrival of new courses will add significantly to Vietnam’s luster as a travel destination.“The topography of Vietnam is unbelievable,” he says. “We’ve got 3,000 kilometers of coastline. There are courses built around mountains and on sandy soil next to the ocean. It’s difficult for another country in the region to compete. Before, I would have said that anyone serious about golf travel should be coming to Vietnam at least once in their life. With world-class courses opening all the time, I would revise that to say that you’d need to return every few years to do the place justice.”Pre-pandemic, the buzz about Vietnam’s courses was almost as loud as the motorbike horns that soundtrack daily life in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. Golfers in the know spoke in reverent tones about a nation suffused in exoticism and touting a swag bag of world-class courses surpassing anything else in Southeast Asia. Word got back to the uninitiated who—blown away by visuals of layouts routed around dunes, spearing through the jungle and perched above postcard-worthy seascapes—were fueling demand for travel to a country increasingly regarded as Asia’s ultimate bucket-list golf destination.Overall Vietnam offers more than enough to justify the hype by way of its extraordinary food, friendly hospitality, otherworldly beauty and stunning courses. Snaking down from the Chinese border to the Gulf of Thailand, it’s a golf destination with courses ranging from tropical beauties to some of the closest equivalents to classic links in the Far East.Built on loam soil, these layouts carry echoes of the ones in Melbourne’s Sandbelt region and the North Carolina Sandhills. Off course, Vietnam offers pristine beaches, World Heritage Sites and charismatic cities with an invigorating blend of culture, history and cuisine.dulichgolf.com.vnIn central Vietnam, a golfer can kick back shortly after play by meditating on the breakers rolling in from the South China Sea from a perch on the world-famous China Beach, then follow that by getting clothes tailor-made in the ancient port of Hoi An or indulging in a seafood feast in Da Nang. These thrilling juxtapositions make for a multifaceted sensory golf experience unlike any in the world.Other factors in Vietnam’s favor include an accommodating political climate. The ruling party invested heavily in the appointment of Greg Norman—whose design work includes The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip, ranked No. 76 in Golf Digest’s 2020 list of the World’s 100 Greatest Golf Courses—as an official tourism ambassador.The future couldn’t have looked much brighter as 2020 got underway with the unveiling of Hoiana Shores, a Robert Trent Jones Jr. design unfurling along the shoreline south of Hoi An in central Vietnam. Then came the pandemic. In 2020, a stringent response to the initial virus wave saw the country record minimal fatalities and earn praise from the World Health Organization. A second Delta-variant wave in 2021 has been much more damaging, resulting in thousands of deaths.The country suspended international travel in March 2020. As it bids to reopen to tourists, Vietnam has recommended a three-phase strategy to restore regular foreign flights in 2022. Currently, overseas charter groups can visit select destinations in the country. But a fuller flow of travelers is not expected for some time.Given all this, it was inevitable that the country’s golf-tourism industry would take a hit. Some clubs—especially those in more tourism-dependent enclaves like central Vietnam—have been forced to close for months. The staff has been trimmed as clubs look to mitigate losses. The contingent of foreign general managers and superintendents has thinned. New projects have had construction delays, and ambitious plans for real-estate and hotel components at various clubs have been delayed as owners look to rein in costs.In central Vietnam, a yearly influx of Korean golfers has provided a vital cash injection during the winter months. That boost has now been absent for two years. As 2021 ended, Hoiana Shores and the Norman course at BRG Da Nang Golf Resort cut a majestic but melancholy sight with just a smattering of local and expatriate players patrolling the fairways. A degree of gloom is natural, but on-the-ground observers of Vietnam’s golf scene say it’s only temporary. A positive development also crucial for golf’s sustainable growth in Vietnam has been increased domestic engagement with the game.“It’s going nuts,” says Duc Pham, owner of two golf academies and retail shops in Hanoi. “The pandemic has created a pause in the lives of many, and golf has benefited as people look for something to fill that leisure time. Driving ranges and schools are filled with beginners, and the golf courses themselves, especially the ones near big cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, are packed with Vietnamese players. It’s getting harder to get a tee time.”Pham, whose TV golf instruction show has made him an emblem of golf in Vietnam, took up golf as a boy in the late 1990s when the game was gaining a foothold in the country. In those days, foreigners, mainly Koreans and Japanese, outnumbered Vietnamese players. Today he estimates that 70 percent of those teeing it up are Vietnamese. He credits the rise to several factors, including Vietnam’s expanding middle class (fueled by one of the world’s fastest-growing economies), more flexible short-term memberships and a generous supply of fantastic courses.“Golf has become much less niche,” he says. “Before, it was regarded as elitist. Now Vietnamese don’t just want to play golf to do business deals or achieve status. They want to learn and play the game.”Another advantage for Vietnam is a heroic infrastructure drive. In April 2021, the Transport Ministry announced a plan worth as much as $65 billion that entails new airports and the construction of high-speed rail and sleek new highways. That’s great news for existing and emerging golf destinations. Golf hubs poised to benefit include Ho Tram, home of The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip and Sonadezi Chau Duc, which features a new Greg Norman design, Nha Trang/Cam Ranh (where KN Golf Links—another Norman layout— is in the vanguard of new golf projects) and Phan Thiet.“The new roads will be a game-changer,” says Andrew Bowles, managing director at PGA NovaWorld Phan Thiet, which has two Greg Norman-designed 18-hole courses: PGA Ocean and PGA Garden. It takes three to four hours to cover the 200-plus kilometers between Ho Chi Minh City and the coastal town of Phan Thiet. The new highway will reduce the trip to less than two hours. A similar reduction countrywide will make golf travel a viable option for tourists, Bowles says.Back in Arizona, Curley has turned his attention from the windswept coastline of Quang Binh to the verdant uplands of Dak Doa District in Vietnam’s Central Highlands, where a chunk of pine-covered, rolling countryside is a work in progress. “It’s a great site,” he says.Vietnam is still a work in progress, too, but Curley is hopeful that the intervening years of the global crisis have not dented his long-term prognosis. “Its economy is growing as it has become a massive player in the international manufacturing market, and it has fantastic destinations for tourism with great properties, great climates and clean air. The outlook is great.”As the largest tourism cooperation in the country, Vietravel is proud to be trusted by more than 800,000 tourists to Vietnam every year. Within 27+ years of development, we always provide the best travel services at the best prices for you to discover the beauty of not just Vietnam but entire Southeast Asia.Please contact us for more informationVietravel - Asia Leading Tour OperatorHotline: (84) 35 235 61 61Email: [email protected]: www.vietravelasia.com#VietravelAsia #Vietravel #Vietnam #SoutheastAsia #VietnamTour #VietnamTravelSource: golfdigest