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.”

Vietnam Golf Coast Gears Up for a Game-Changing 2025
Big events and international outreach to elevate Central Vietnam as Asia’s premier golf hub

DANANG, VIETNAM – Vietnam Golf Coast (VGC) clubs are targeting another milestone year for Central Vietnam as a hub for golf in Asia following an exceptional 2024.

“Central Vietnam is hitting its stride as a world-class golf destination, and 2025 presents an exciting opportunity to solidify our position on the global stage,” said Stephen Banks, Director of Golf at Laguna Golf Lang Co, a leader in the VGC’s destination marketing efforts.

“This year, our focus will be on showcasing the region’s exceptional offerings to new markets and reinforcing our commitment to growing the game here in Vietnam.”

The region has established itself as a magnet for golf enthusiasts, thanks to its array of world-class courses designed by legends such as Sir Nick Faldo (Laguna Golf Lang Co), Luke Donald (Ba Na Hills Golf Club), and Colin Montgomerie (Montgomerie Links), as well as Greg Norman and Robert Trent Jones Jr.

This reputation continues to grow, bolstered by a packed 2025 events calendar. Highlights include the return of the Asia Golf Tourism Convention (AGTC) to Danang from April 2-4, 2025, with all three VGC clubs —Laguna Golf Lang Co, Montgomerie Links, and Ba Na Hills Golf Club— hosting pre- and post-event activities for more than 50 global representatives.

In April, the Asia Grand Final of the Faldo Series, the culmination of the Asia leg of the world’s most celebrated circuits for aspiring young golfers, will return to its home hub, the award-winning Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design at Laguna Golf Lang Co.

Other major tournaments include the Danang Invitational World Golf Championship (June 2-12) and the Vietnam World Masters Golf Championship (September 7-13).

Additionally, the Danang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF 2025) will feature an extended six-night celebration, which runs from May 31 to July 12, adding cultural appeal to the region. Further north, historic Hue steps into the limelight as the host city for Vietnam’s National Tourism Year 2025, which will see the city stage numerous events.

Laguna Golf Lang Co will host the Asia Grand Final of the Faldo Series in April

Laguna Golf Lang Co will also spearhead efforts to drive business in Australia and New Zealand, following its successful 2024 roadshows with additional campaigns to promote Central Vietnam in those markets.

Other factors boosting the destination include the introduction of new air routes connecting Danang International Airport with destinations worldwide. In 2025, Da Nang will resume multiple direct air services to India’s New Delhi and Mumbai, Japan’s Nagoya and Osaka, and Qatar’s Doha.

Montgomerie Links is expecting record breaking golfer numbers in 2025

“Central Vietnam continues to flourish as a destination where golfers can find a unique blend of championship courses, luxurious resorts, and cultural treasures,” said Le Vo Hoang Van, club manager at Montgomerie Links. “The continual addition of new air routes and high-profile events further enhances our appeal, making it easier than ever for golfers worldwide to experience this extraordinary region.”

Sustainability is also at the forefront of VGC’s strategy. Laguna Golf Lang Co, in collaboration with Thanh Lanh and Royal Long An—two other Sir Nick Faldo-designed courses in Vietnam— are proposing to host the Faldo Vietnam Open, positioning Vietnam as a leader in junior golf development and sustainable tourism.

“Our focus for 2025 is not just on delivering exceptional golf experiences but also on ensuring that we operate in harmony with the environment and local communities,” said Simon Mees, General Manager at Ba Na Hills Golf Club. “With a record-breaking 2024 behind us, we’re poised to take Central Vietnam’s golf scene to even greater heights.”

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.”