Vietnam Golf Coast Doubles Down on Course Improvements
Guests and bovine bio mowers among the beneficiaries as clubs conduct bold enhancements

DANANG, Vietnam —Golfers and iconic water buffalo bio mowers alike are about to reap the benefits as Vietnam Golf Coast clubs unveil a wave of upgrades aimed at keeping Central Vietnam at the top of Asia’s golfing leaderboard.

Long recognised for exceptional design and stunning scenery, Ba Na Hills Golf Club and Laguna Golf Lang Co are embracing a philosophy of continual improvement to elevate course conditioning, aesthetics, and the overall player experience. From revamping turf and native landscaping to enhancing visual appeal and drainage, both clubs are investing in upgrades that reflect a deep commitment to excellence.

At Laguna Golf Lang Co, where a Sir Nick Faldo Signature layout weaves between jungle-clad mountains and the East Sea, work is underway on several key improvements to help the course thrive through the year, particularly during Vietnam’s more stressful winter months.

The iconic water buffalo bio mowers at Laguna Golf Lang Co will soon benefit from a new storm shelter

A second shelter for the club’s beloved water buffalo, who act as “bio-mowers” tending to the rice paddies integrated into the course, is currently being constructed, providing protection from storms and reinforcing Laguna’s reputation for sustainability and innovation.

“Alongside the new shelter, we’re re-establishing putting surfaces and expanding our turf nurseries as we transition back to Zoysia matrella,” said Jason Blacka, newly appointed Chief Superintendent at Laguna Golf Lang Co. “We’re also adopting enhanced staff training and implementing customised agronomic practices to maintain optimal turf health and playability year-round.”

Other initiatives include revamping native landscape zones to expose more sand and promote resilient indigenous plants. These changes not only support the ecosystem but also add to the visual drama of the layout.

Meanwhile, over in the hills above Da Nang, Ba Na Hills Golf Club is refining both the course and the brand that defines it. In 2025, the club unveiled a sharpened brand philosophy — Crafted by Nature, Perfected by Passion — that reflects a deeper focus on both authenticity and precision.

Ba Na Hills Golf Club has implemented a more rigorous maintenance regime focused on turf quality and year-round playability

“This is more than just a slogan, it’s a guiding ethos that informs how we present and care for our course,” said Simon Mees, General Manager at Ba Na Hills Golf Club. “We’ve implemented a more rigorous maintenance regime focused on turf quality and year-round playability, while enhancing facilities to ensure comfort without compromising the tranquillity we’re known for.”

Recent improvements include raising the water level between holes 9 and 18 for better aesthetics and reducing the height of the fairway on hole 11 to reveal water views and boost drainage. At the same time, annual renovation work is being carried out across all playing surfaces to encourage root health and promote long-term grass density.

While technological innovations like SmartScore are helping modernise operations, the emphasis remains firmly on elevating the pure golf experience and letting the landscape take centre stage.

“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved so far, but the real key is never standing still,” said Simon Mees. “At Ba Na Hills and across the Vietnam Golf Coast, we’re committed to refining every detail so that every visit feels better than the last.”

Laguna Golf Lang Co has been a leading force as golf in Vietnam has developed over the last decade

Laguna Golf Lang Co Renews Membership of Elite Club
Asian Tour Destinations collective bids to grow game and reboot golf tourism

LANG CO, Vietnam — Laguna Golf Lang Co, one of Vietnam’s leading clubs, has strengthened its ties with the Asian Tour by renewing its status as an Asian Tour Destination until 2025.

An exclusive network of 12 elite clubs with direct ties to the Asian Tour, the Asian Tour Destinations collective was founded as a vehicle to help grow the game and accelerate the recovery of golf tourism in the region.

As well as Laguna Golf Lang Co, whose Sir Nick Faldo Signature layout is regarded among the best in Vietnam, the collective includes clubs in Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, Cambodia, India, and Singapore.

The other current member clubs are Sentosa Golf Club in Singapore, Horizon Hills Golf & Country Club, and Kota Permai Golf & Country Club in Malaysia, Parahyangan Golf in Indonesia, Sapporo Country Club, and The North Country Golf Club in Japan, Black Mountain Golf Club, Aquella Golf & Country Club, and Laguna Golf Phuket in Thailand, Angkor Golf Resort in Cambodia, and Classic Golf & Country Club in India.

Laguna Lang Co is one of Asia’s foremost integrated resorts, with award-winning hotel and golf components

According to Cho Minn Thant, Commissioner, and CEO of the Asian Tour, “the main objective of Asian Tour Destinations is to provide an affiliate membership program between the associated venues and the Asian Tour, to drive sustainable growth and development for the betterment of golf in the region as a whole.

Being a part of the Asian Tour Destinations network means that each venue is certified Tour calibre and operates a comprehensive range of facilities and services to their members and guests under tournament-ready conditions all-year-round. The Asian Tour has also been a longtime supporter of the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final which is hosted by Sir Nick Faldo at Laguna Golf Lang Co each year.

Indeed, the Faldo Series has announced that it will return to Laguna Lang Co for the next four years as it names the integrated resort — which is also home to award-winning accommodations Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co — as the “Home of the Faldo Series Asia”.

The benefits of being involved in the Asian Tour Destinations collective are myriad. Asian Tour members will be able to play and practice at each venue, allowing for the members at each club to enjoy direct engagement with the region’s best golfers.

“Vietnam’s golf scene is going from strength to strength following the pandemic,” said Adam Calver, Director of Golf & Destination Marketing at Laguna Lang Co. “Asian Tour Destinations is a perfect fit for us. We are committed to help grow the game here and we have some of the best beachfront accommodation in Vietnam to support that strategy.”

The Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design at Laguna Golf Lang Co is recognized as one of the region’s premier tests

The new partnership is another indication of the willingness of Laguna Golf Lang Co to deploy a “team ethic” to enhance Asia’s golf appeal. The club already plays a leading role in the Vietnam Golf Coast, a destination marketing effort involving top clubs in Central Vietnam that is geared towards cementing the area’s status as one of Asia’s leading places for play.

“Asia’s reputation as a golf destination is as bright as it has ever been,” added Calver. “Together we can showcase all these great courses as well as the compelling tourism activities available along Vietnam’s Golf Coast.”

Located where the jungle meets the ocean, Laguna Golf Lang Co is one of the most visually appealing clubs in Asia

Laguna Golf Lang Co Retains EarthCheck “Gold” Status
Green accolade part of broad sustainability push at Laguna Lang Co

LANG CO, Vietnam — Laguna Lang Co has restated its credentials as one of Vietnam’s most sustainable large-scale projects by retaining its EarthCheck “Gold Certification” for 2022.

One of Asia’s most far-reaching integrated resorts, Laguna Lang Co encompasses award-winning hotels Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co, as well as Laguna Golf Lang Co — a signature design by UK legend Sir Nick Faldo.

Located in a part of Vietnam renowned for its pristine nature, Laguna Lang Co prides itself on having a strong focus on sustainability.

Notable initiatives include a moratorium on single-use plastics and its “edible golf course” planted with rice fields and tended by water buffalos.

Green innovations include installing a family of water buffalo as “bio-mowers” on the golf course

EarthCheck is regarded as the world’s leading scientific benchmarking, certification and advisory group for travel and tourism. And the retention of Gold status is another key indicator of a successful wider sustainability push by Laguna Lang Co.

“Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and we are fortunate enough to have one of its most visually stunning sites,” said Adam Calver, Director of Golf and Destination Marketing at Laguna Lang Co. “Our resort can be viewed as an escape to nature and we are determined to do everything in our power to preserve its unique qualities.”

Green innovations include installing a family of water buffalo as “bio-mowers” on the golf course

The resort has completely eradicated the use of single-use plastics in almost all aspects of its operations. Laguna Lang Co has finalized the installation of its own water bottling plant to allow the resort to completely eliminate plastic water bottles and utilize reusable glass bottles.

Other key green initiatives at the resort include a tree-planting program aimed at increasing tree cover for local unused land and providing a new income source for underprivileged communities in Lang Co. The species — Melaleuca quinquenervia — is efficient in oil production and brings higher economic returns than traditional indigenous tree varieties.

Additional programs feeding into the EarthCheck accolade include trash collecting activities, sponsorship of underprivileged youths through the resort’s Seedlings Mentorship Program, and sustainability workshops in local communities conducted by Laguna Lang Co Sustainability Officers.

The resort is also focused on its successful “Greater Good Grant” initiative. Launched in 2020, the program offers sustainability projects around Vietnam access to eco grants. With the initiative ongoing, the resort is encouraging applicants to come forward and take advantage of financial support that will help them build a better future.

“To continue to keep EarthCheck Gold Certificate status and achieve a higher EarthCheck certificate in the future, we need to work hard and pay more attention to protect the environment and community,” added Calver. “We are passionate about being an industry-leader for sustainability here in Vietnam. We need to deliver a clean, safe, prosperous, and healthy destination for travellers to visit, live, work, and play at our resort.”

With the sleek accommodations at Banyan Tree Residences upping the luxe factor, Laguna Lang Co has earned its status as one of the world’s premier golf resorts

Calver tips Vietnam to regain status as golf travel’s biggest noise
Laguna Golf Lang Co’s Director of Golf is witnessing a swift uptick in demand

Pre-pandemic the buzz about Vietnam’s golf courses was almost as loud as the motorbike horns that soundtrack daily life in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

And Adam Calver, director of golf at Laguna Golf Lang Co and a driving force in Vietnam Golf Coast — a destination marketing organization that links Central Vietnam’s best signature golf courses — has tipped the nation to become an even bigger noise in golf travel following its reopening to international visitors in March 2022.

“Asia’s top golf destination is not just recovering following the pandemic: it’s getting even better,” he said.

In recent years, Vietnam has forged a reputation as Asia’s ultimate bucket-list golf destination.

The course at Laguna Golf Lang Co is carved through emerald jungle near the azure East Sea

Big-name architects including Sir Nick Faldo (designer of Laguna Golf Lang Co), Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, and Robert Trent Jones Jr have made their mark with a string of incredible layouts the length and breadth of the Southeast Asian country.

Global accolades for the nation, meanwhile, including the coveted title of World’s Best Golf Destination at the 2021 World Golf Awards, fueled pent-up demand for travel during a period when Vietnam’s borders remained largely closed.

Nobody involved in Vietnam’s tourism industry expects visitor numbers to immediately bounce back to pre-pandemic levels. But golf industry insiders like Calver predict a bright future for clubs in Vietnam following the reopening, pointing to a growing contingent of layouts that are maintaining the country’s reputation for quality.

“A lot has been going on here (in Vietnam) during the pandemic,” said Calver. “New courses have been popping up all over the country so golfers who have visited Vietnam in the past have a number of new courses to experience when they return.

Vietnam’s pristine coastline is showcased to stunning effect at courses such as the Sir Nick Faldo-designed Laguna Golf Lang Co

“For example, many golfers won’t have been in Central Vietnam since 2019. We already had five great championship courses here at that time. Now, with the addition of Hoiana Shores and the second course at BRG Danang Golf Resort (a Nicklaus design), we have seven.”

Like other layouts around the country, Laguna Golf Lang Co has been forced to contend with stern challenges posed by the pandemic over the course of the past couple of years. But the club, which recently ranked #88 on Golf World’s Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World list, is training its sights on a major resurgence over the coming months.

At Laguna Golf Lang Co, two award-winning resorts – Angsana Lang Co and Banyan Tree Lang Co as well as the ultra-luxe Banyan Tree Residences and the Laguna Park Golf Villas along the 18^th hole just a hundred meters from the clubhouse and the beach – round out one of Asia’s most attractive stay/play packages. Indeed, the club is witnessing an uptick in bookings from various key international markets including Korea and Europe as well as from domestic travelers.

“Demand is surging here once again,” added Calver. “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.”