An
Conversation with Greg Norman
Greg Norman first came to Vietnam more than two decades ago to design a golf course on a stretch of untouched coastline. Since then, he’s helped shape Vietnam into one of the world’s premier golf destinations. As he begins his second term as Vietnam’s Tourism Ambassador, we caught up with “The Shark” to talk about his connection to the country, his favorite courses, and what’s next for golf in Vietnam.
Q: Do you remember your first visit to Vietnam? What struck you most at the time?
Absolutely. My first trip was about twenty years ago, to a raw coastal site about 100 kilometers southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. It was just miles of towering sand dunes, untouched and spectacular. That land would later become The Bluffs Ho Tram, which has gone on to be recognized among the Top 100 courses in the world consecutively since 2018. Even then, I could see that Vietnam had the kind of natural landscapes most golf designers dream about.
Q: How has golf in Vietnam evolved since that first project?
The growth has been nothing short of phenomenal. In the past two decades, Greg Norman Golf Course Design has completed nine courses across seven projects in Vietnam – from the south to the central coast and up north. What’s been incredible is watching the entire industry mature: better infrastructure, more sophisticated developers, and a government that truly understands golf’s potential as a driver as a driver not just for regular
tourism, but for the golf tourism market and economic growth.
Q: You’ve designed courses all over the world. What makes Vietnam stand out as a golf destination? Diversity. Every region offers something completely different. You’ve got the dunes and ocean views in the south, lush mountains and river valleys in the north, and those classic coastal winds through the central region. Add in world-class hospitality, great food, and such rich culture and wonderfully happy people – it’s a dream for golfers and travelers alike.
Q: Do you have a favorite course you’ve designed in Vietnam, or one that holds special meaning for you?
The Bluffs Ho Tram will always be special to me. It was the first course I designed in Vietnam, and it really set the tone for what the country could become as a worldclass golf destination. The site was extraordinary with towering coastal dunes and incredible ocean views, and we were able to preserve so much of that natural character.
Legends Da Nang Golf Resort
The Dunes Course at Da Nang Golf Club is another favorite. It was one of the first true links-style courses built in Vietnam and helped put the central coast on the global golf map. The sand-based terrain, wind, and coastal scenery make it a pure, traditional golf experience – one that reminds me of the great seaside courses in Australia where I grew up.
Q: You have two new courses opening in 2026—can you tell us about them?
Yes, and I’m incredibly proud of both. Văn Lang Empire T&T Golf Club in Phú Thọ Province is set in the hills north of Hanoi, with dramatic elevation changes and views that stretch for miles. It’s a completely different experience from the coastal courses. Then there’s Trường Thịnh
Bảo Ninh on the central coast, which is a pure links layout carved through natural dunes and casuarina trees. Both courses capture the diversity of Vietnam’s landscapes and show why it’s one of the most exciting golf frontiers in the world.
Q: Outside of golf, what do you love most about visiting Vietnam?
The people and the culture. Vietnamese hospitality is second to none. The people are warm, humble, happy, and genuine. I also love the food. You can sit on a street corner with a bowl of pho or a banh mi and be just as content as you would be in a fine restaurant. And of course, I’m always discovering new parts of the country as there’s so much to explore beyond the fairways.
Q: For golfers planning a trip, what’s your ideal Vietnam itinerary?
I’d say give yourself at least a week! Start in the south around Ho Chi Minh City, head up to Da Nang and the central coast, then finish in Hanoi and the northern mountains. Each region feels like a different world. The best time for golf is November through April in the north and February through May in the central region, but the south is great yearround.
KN Golf Links Grand Opening
The Bluffs
Q: You are currently Vietnam’s Tourism Ambassador, a role you initially took on from 2018-2021. What does that role mean to you personally? It’s truly one of the greatest honors of my career. During my first term, Vietnam was twice named the World’s Best Golf Destination by the World Golf Awards (2019, 2021), which was an incredible recognition of how far the country had come in such a short time.
Since then, the growth has been remarkable. Golf tourism revenue has been increasing by around 20% annually since the pandemic, and it’s projected to reach $1 billion in 2025 – about 10% of all tourism revenue. There’s also been a 200% increase in new golf course development since we opened The Bluffs Ho Tram in 2014.
What I’m most proud of, though, is seeing golf officially recognized
as a key pillar in Vietnam’s national tourism strategy for 2026–2030. That tells you everything about the country’s long-term vision. In many ways, Vietnam has created a blueprint for how golf can drive tourism, investment, and community development – a model other emerging destinations around the world can learn from. I’m honored to play even a small role in helping share that story with the world.
Regions to Visit
Bangkok….
one of the most exciting destinations in the World
Bangkok is a city of numerous attractions: beautiful temples and palaces, classical Thai dancing, kick boxing, Thai massage, boat rides, massive shopping malls and markets, restaurants, international world-class hotels, and an exotic nightlife.
Bangkok, Thailand
If you are also looking for some exciting golf experiences, you will not be disappointed, as there are over 60 golf courses to choose from in the city and surrounding areas. So whether you are travelling to Bangkok for leisure or business, a game of golf could be just the thing you need.
You can play some of the world's most distinguished courses, as many top golf course designers have created some exceptional layouts here, including Pete Dye, Nick Faldo, Jack Nicklaus, Greg Norman, Arnold Palmer, Gary Player, and Robert Trent Jones.
The city is a good springboard for combining tours and golf in other destinations. Nearby countries like Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia are only a short flight from Bangkok, which facilitates any multi-country golf holiday.
The distance to the golf courses from the Bangkok city centre varies between 30 and 75 minutes, so it may be worth booking a hotel with good expressway access, but still located in the heart of the main tourist areas
What makes Bangkok special is the balance. Tee off in the morning, then return to the city for a Thai massage, fine dining, shopping, or a night on the town.
HERE ARE A FEW GOLFING GEMS IN AND AROUND BANGKOK
Alpine Golf & Sports Club
18 holes par 72 (7044 yards)
Widely regarded as Bangkok's finest layout, Alpine Golf & Sports Club is a course that every serious golfer should experience. Designed by Ronald Garl, Alpine has hosted some of Asia's biggest tournaments, including the 2000 Johnnie Walker Classic, where Tiger Woods produced a legendary win.
The course itself is as challenging as it is beautiful—undulating fairways, dramatic elevation changes, and fastrolling greens test precision on every shot. Water hazards and beach-style bunkers come into play throughout, with the 7th and 11th holes—twin island greens—standing out as true signature challenges.
What makes Alpine remarkable is how it transforms Bangkok's flat rice paddies into a lush, rolling parkland that feels worlds away from the city. Tall trees, rich vegetation, and bold earth shaping create a setting that is both scenic and demanding.
Thailand golfers privileged to play at Alpine Golf & Sports Club will have an unforgettable experience as their golf skills are challenged. The clubhouse facilities, locker rooms, and two restaurants (a coffee shop and gourmet Chinese restaurant) are all excellent with service to match. For golfers seeking the ultimate Bangkok challenge, Alpine is simply a mustplay.
Thai Country Club
18 holes par 72 (7151 yards)
The Thai Country Club is a prestigious members' course and is one of the best golf courses in Bangkok. Designed to USPGA standards by Denis Griffiths, the course opened in December 1996.
The 7,157-yard course was the venue for the 1997 Asian Honda Classic, where Tiger Woods cruised to a comfortable 10-stroke victory. More recently, the Thai Country Club hosted the 2007 and 2008 Volvo Masters and the Asian Tour's International Series in 2024.
The Thai golf course, as expected, is well-maintained year-round and features a great variety from hole
Alpine Golf & Sports Club
Thai Country Club
to hole, along with an abundance of water hazards and sand bunkers. With its immaculate presentation and conditioning, coupled with a robust and classic parkland layout, the club was regularly voted as a Top 5 course in Asia.
It's hard to imagine the terrain here was initially flat, especially when looking across the pleasantly rolling earth mounds, contoured fairways, and often elevated greens. The fairway and greenside bunkering are superb, almost like a work of art.
Discerning golfers will appreciate this truly world-class golfing experience. Thai Country Club's caddies are amongst the best trained in Thailand. The award-winning clubhouse is regularly voted the best in Asia and caters to every need. Although a member's club, tour operators do have access to tee times especially during the week.
Nikanti Golf Club
18 holes par 72 (6789 yards)
Nikanti Golf Club is a unique 18-hole course situated in Nakhon Pathom province, just over an hour West of
Bangkok. The work of Thai golf course designer and architect Piraporn Namatra of Golf East, Nikanti, is revolutionary in more ways than one.
Nikanti sits in the fresh air among former rice paddies. However, the Bangkok golf course is almost the opposite of what one usually finds around the city. It measures a short 6,850 yards from the black tees for a start.
Rather than having a traditional front and back nine, Nikanti is made up of three loops of six, starting and ending at the main clubhouse. Finally, each circuit comprises two par-3s, two par4s, and two par-5s. Having an equal number of par-3, par-4, and par-5 holes is somewhat controversial, but why not? Par-72 is still on offer, and it gives golfers the chance to play a wide variety of holes throughout the round.
Nikanti Golf Club
Riverdale
Nikanti is a course with a significant challenge, even for professional golfers. The fairways, while broad, feature plenty of mounding and elevation changes, and flat lies are the exception rather than the rule at Nikanti. Meanwhile, many greens are strongly undulated, run fast (especially downhill), and are guarded by bunker complexes. Water comes into play on many holes, especially on the par-5s.
Nikanti features an impressive modern clubhouse with many amenities only found at private members' clubs. Full-length lockers, gourmet food and beverages, an observation deck, and a lounge with satellite TV all make you forget that you are at a daily fee public golf course. Service is also exemplary, including 15-minute tee times to ensure a fast pace of play, allinclusive and non-cash policies, and complimentary local beverages and two meals. All in, Nikanti is one of
Where to Stay
Tucked away in Bangkok’s prestigious Langsuan district, Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok offers golfers a rare balance of city convenience and resort-style tranquillity. Overlooking leafy Lumpini Park, the property feels like an urban sanctuary, where every detail is designed for comfort and understated elegance. Spacious suites with floor-to-ceiling windows provide light-filled retreats, while the renowned Sindhorn Wellness by Resense offers one of the most extensive spa and wellness facilities in the region. A rooftop infinity pool, Michelinrecommended dining, and attentive service add to the sense of refined indulgence.
Thailand's best golf courses and a unique Asian golf experience.
Riverdale
18 holes par 72 (7006 yards) Riverdale Golf Club is one of the few excellent Bangkok golf courses. Jonathan Morrow and Al Tikkanen designed and, like Red Mountain, their other high-profile Phuket golf course, Riverdale, makes good use of intelligent routing and elevation changes. Riverdale may not at first glance look the most menacing test of golf. However, it's all an illusion.
The landscape includes several large lakes, which were dredged to create the hills surrounding the golf course and framing most of the holes. The challenges and considerable charm of these immaculately groomed links will quickly assert themselves.
Aside from its excellent conditioning and challenges, the absolute joy of Riverdale Golf Club lies in its
beautiful interplay of gently rolling fairways, many small reed-lined lakes, raised greens, excellent bunkering, and large hills that break up some of the layout's inherent openness.
The signature par-5 6th hole requires two near-perfect shots to get on in regulation. The dogleg par-4 7th is a drivable hole. The twin-green par-3 8th includes a water-protected island or postage-stamp with a pot bunker.
Enjoy cool refreshments at their contemporarily styled clubhouse, which overlooks the 10th and 18th holes. Elegant locker rooms provide for excellent changing facilities characteristic of a 5-star private members' golf club.
Worth a mention: RG City Golf Club, Robinswood, Ballyshears Golf Links and Siam CC Bangkok.
137 Pillars Suites & Residences Bangkok
Situated in the bustling heart of Bangkok, 137 Pillars Suites & Residences offers a luxurious haven for golf enthusiasts. This exquisite property provides easy access to some of the city’s premier golf courses. With spacious, elegantly designed suites and residences, guests can relax in comfort and style after a day on the greens. The hotel features world-class amenities, including a rooftop infinity pool, a serene spa, and gourmet dining options, ensuring a perfect blend of relaxation and indulgence.
The Anantara Bangkok Riverside Resort & Spa is a city resort that has every fivestar feature for golf holidaymakers and their families. Its location overlooking the Chao Phraya River with its classical Thai architecture, tropical gardens, freeform swimming pool, and top-ranked food & beverage outlets, offers all the comfort and tranquility of a real golf resort. The hotel provides easy access to Bangkok golf courses via the motorway and the shuttle boat.
Sindhorn Kempinski Hotel Bangkok
Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort