Vietnam’s golf tourism aims to attract more visitors from Japan

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Ho An Phong held a meeting with Masafumi Shukuri, chairman of the Japan Transport and Tourism Research Institute, an agency under Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.

The two sides discussed solutions to promote and connect tourism between the two countries, with a particular emphasis on golf tourism.

Phong stated that Vietnam and Japan share a strong, longstanding, and friendly partnership with many positive outcomes.

Japan is an attractive destination, and throughout Vietnam’s development, Japan has been a consistent partner and strategic friend, willing to connect localities in both countries and expand bilateral tourism promotion and cooperation.

Regarding the potential for developing sectors, especially golf tourism, Phong emphasized that Vietnam boasts appealing natural landscapes and favorable climate that allows year-round golf play. 

Many golf courses in the country are designed by Japanese experts to meet international standards.

Meanwhile, Shukuri shared that Japan aims to welcome two million tourists from Vietnam by 2030.

Japan also wishes to collaborate with Vietnam in promoting the Southeast Asian country’s image and people to the Japanese public through tourism promotion programs, cultural exchanges, seminars, and workshops.

In 2024, tourism exchanges between the two countries achieved remarkable results. 

Japan sent 700,000 tourists to Vietnam, while over 600,000 Vietnamese tourists traveled to Japan.

In the first quarter of 2025, the number of Japanese international visitors to Vietnam increased 26.3 percent compared to the same period in 2024.

Vietnam's golf tourism targets other potential markets

Several businesses expressed hope to boost the development of high-quality tourism aimed at high-spending markets. 

Golf tourism, in particular, targets other potential markets such as South Korea, Taiwan, and Southeast Asian countries.

However, to develop golf tourism, businesses proposed strengthening cooperation between travel companies and golf course operators, combining MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) tourism with golf tourism, and professionally promoting golf tourism products.

Vietnam currently has 70 golf courses, with plans to increase this number in the near future.

According to the Vietnam Golf Tourism Association, with many international awards, Vietnamese golf tourism has earned a reputation on the global map and holds great potential to become a 'golf paradise of Asia.'

Vietnam’s tourism development strategy through 2030, approved by the prime minister, identifies golf tourism as a key product to elevate and sustainably develop the country’s tourism sector.

Golf tourism is a form of tourism that combines sports with exploration, sightseeing, and relaxation at destinations.

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, golf tourists tend to return multiple times and have a high capacity to spend on luxury hotels and restaurants.

Data from the Vietnam Golf Tourism Association shows that international golf tourists to Vietnam spend an average of VND40 million (US$1,541) over five days, apart from airfares.