Golf in Vietnam

For most people, the idea of golf is inextricably linked to Scotland. Few would immediately associate it with Vietnam. But they'd be wrong.

It is believed that Vietnam's first golf club opened in 1931 at the Dalat Palace Golf Club and it is known that the last Vietnamese Emperor, Bao Dai played there. The course was abandoned after Bao Dai's abdication in 1945 and remained closed until the late fifties. Remarkably, it remained open throughout the Vietnam War, but closed again in 1975.

In 1993, the course was completely restored and expanded to a full 18 holes. Today it is the best course in Vietnam and widely recognised to be among the top ten in Asia.

But it is far from being Vietnam's only course. It forms but one part of what is known as the Ho Chi Minh Golf Trail. The original Ho Chi Minh Trail was a path running from North to South Vietnam along which the Viet Cong would travel during the war. Today, the term is used to link a chain of top class golf courses in the north and south of Vietnam.

The trail can be said to begin in the north with the Chi Linh Star Golf and Country Club. This is located just over an hour east of Hanoi in Hai Duong. It comprises two international standard courses set among hills and lakes.

Next, we come to Tam Dao Golf Resort. Set in a National Park 90 minutes to the north of Hanoi, Tam Dao is a full resort with an international standard course. The course was opened in 2007 by Vietnam's Prime Minister.

Heading south again, we come to the American designed Kings' Island Golf Club in Ha Tay Province. The club features two full international standard courses. This is also an ideal club to visit if travelling with non-golfing companions. The surrounding area is one of Vietnam's most interesting and nearby is the famous Perfume Pagoda and the most renowned handicraft village for silk products, Van Phuc.

We now leave the south and head down the trail, now a highway to the area around Ho Chi Minh City. The first course we come to is Dalat, described above. Then we have the Ocean Dunes Golf Club about three hours from Ho Chi Minh City. The course here was designed by British Open and Masters champion Nick Faldo and as the name suggests, it built on rolling dunes by the sea.

Nearer to Ho Chi Minh City, is Dong Nai Golf Resort. A mere hour away, the resort includes an 18 hole course, but also offers much for non-golfing partners and children.

Finally, we come to Vietnam Golf & Country Club, just 20 kilometres from downtown Ho Chi Min City. This opened in 1994 and became the first 36 hole club in Vietnam and remains one of the country's top golfing venues. The east course was designed by six-time Major Champion Winner, Lee Trevino.

Visitor rates at all these courses and others throughout Vietnam are highly competitive compared to western prices, yet the facilities are top class.

The International Association of Golf Travel Operators recognized Vietnam as its 2007 "Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year." Maybe it's time for you to discover it!