The Ho Chi Minh City Golf Tourism Festival teed off earlier this week at Tan Son Nhat golf course to promote Vietnam’s potential in the domestic and global markets.
Golfers play at the Tan Son Nhat golf course, where the HCM City Golf Tourism Festival opened on March 29. (Photo: VNS/VNA)
HCM City (VNS/VNA) - The Ho Chi Minh City GolfTourism Festival teed off earlier this week at Tan Son Nhat golf course topromote Vietnam’s potential in the domestic and global markets.
The three-day event organised by the city’s Department of Tourismand the Vietnam Golf Tourism Association features an exhibition ongolf tourism products and services and a conference on promoting and trainingfor golf tourism.
The Golf Club Championship held along with the festival beganon March 29 with nearly 1,000 players taking part.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, Deputy Directorof the Tourism Department, said the event was the first step in the developmentof golf tourism.
Last month, the city had launched a golf-related tourismproduct as part of efforts to diversify and improve the competitiveness ofits tourism industry.
Trinh Thanh, General Secretary of the Vietnam Golf TourismAssociation, said Vietnam has huge potential to develop golf tourism, which hasbeen identified as a major product.
The weather in Vietnam is conducive to playing golf almost allyear round, he said.
Many people travel to Vietnam from Europe, Japan and the Republic ofKorea to play when the weather in their countries is unfavorable for outdoorsports, he said.
The cost of playing in Vietnam is cheaper than in other countriesand people are satisfied with the beautiful golf courses it offers along itscoastline and abutting luxury resorts.
Golf holiday packages and tours offer travellers the best coursesalong with exploration of the country’s beauty, culture and history and atpromotional costs, he added.
Around 100,000 Vietnamese and foreigners living in Vietnam playthe sport, according to the Vietnam Golf Tourism Association.
There are 100 golf courses in the country, including 32 on the seathat meet international standards.
Vietnam was named the World’s Best Golf Destination in 2019 and2021 in the World Golf Awards, surpassing many others such as the US, NewZealand, China, Thailand, and the Republic of Korea./.
The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Tourism and the Vietnam Golf Tourism Association on February 28 jointly launched a golf tour service to promote the new product in the city.
The Government’s proposal to loosen the visa policy to foreigners is expected to untangle a knot in the tourism sector, facilitating international arrivals and enhancing the competitiveness of Vietnamese tourism, according to insiders.
A golden tourism route connecting six destinations of Vietnam and China was launched on March 28, expected to help the two countries enhance cross-border tourism links.
The Tourism Association of Binh Dinh province signed a cooperation agreement with its counterparts of eight localities in the coastal northern and north central regions on March 29 in efforts to establish Binh Dinh as a leading destination in Vietnam and the region.
More than 50 golfers from Vietnam and some guests from Japan participated in the Sakura Championship 2023 held by Yo Group of Vietnam in Japan’s Shizuoka prefecture on March 31.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
Golfers play at the Tan Son Nhat golf course, where the HCM City Golf Tourism Festival opened on March 29. (Photo: VNS/VNA) 
