Int’l organization seeks to hold world-class golf tournament in Vietnam

Nguyen Trung Khanh, head of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, said tourism has become one of Vietnam’s key economic sectors.

After the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam has emerged as the fastest-recovering tourism market in Southeast Asia.

In 2024 alone, the country serviced 17.6 million international visitors and approximately 110 million domestic tourists, generating US$34 billion in tourism revenue.

In the first five months of 2025, Vietnam received 9.2 million international visitors, marking a 21.3-percent increase compared to the same period last year.

Khanh emphasized Vietnam’s rich natural resources and diverse tourism offerings, focusing on four main product lines: island and beach tourism, eco-tourism, cultural tourism, and urban tourism.

It also boasts niche segments, including wellness tourism, rail tourism, agricultural tourism, and golf tourism.

Vietnam possesses favorable climate, geography, and terrain, making it an emerging paradise for golf and golf tourism, Khanh noted.

Golden opportunity for golf tourism

Vietnam currently has around 100 golf courses, most of which are designed by world-renowned golf legends.

By 2030, the number of courses is expected to reach 200 nationwide.

The country has been named the world’s best golf destination twice and Asia’s best golf destination eight times by the World Golf Awards.

Golf courses in Vietnam are often integrated into vibrant ecosystems that include high-end hotels, resorts, restaurants, and shopping areas, thus offering a comprehensive experience to golfers and tourists.

Commenting on DP World Tour’s interest in organizing a tournament in Vietnam, Khanh stated that this represents a major opportunity for both the golf sector and golf tourism development in the country.

The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism will report the proposal to the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism for further consideration.

Nguyen Thi Gam, secretary general of the Ladies Golf & Beauty Club in Ho Chi Minh City, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday that having an international golf tour like DP World Tour choose Vietnam as a destination would be a significant opportunity for Vietnamese golfers and golf tourism.

This is a rare chance for local players to compete and learn from world-class golfers right at home. It provides inspiration, sharpens competitive skills, and fuels professional career development.

Hosting such a prestigious event elevates Vietnam’s position on the global golf map and demonstrates its capacity to organize world-class tournaments, paving the way for future international collaborations, Gam said.

DP World Tour Group is an international organization headquartered in the UK that operates professional golf tournaments in Europe and globally. 

This year, DP World Tour plans to hold 42 tournaments across 26 countries on five continents, with a total prize pool of $153 million.

Wang Zi Ting expressed his hopes that the DP World Tour will become a premier annual golf event in Vietnam.

This year, Vietnam’s tourism sector aims to attract 22–23 million international visitors, serve 120–130 million domestic travelers, and generate around $40 billion in total tourism revenue.