VN Express: Vietnam in contention for Asia's 2021 best golfing destination

Mon 15 March 2021

Vietnam has been nominated for Asia's best golf destination in the annual 2021 World Golf Awards, with voting expected to last until September 1. The country will compete against China, Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea and Thailand for the title. World Golf Awards, the most prestigious awards program in the golf tourism industry, has occurred annually since 2014.

The winner will be determined by votes from industry professionals as well as golfers. Voting is open online at worldgolfawards.com. Voters are required to register for an account on the website before casting their ballot.

In 2019, Vietnam received the World's Best Golf Destination prize at World Golf Awards 2019 held in the United Arab Emirates.

According to Vietnam Professional Golf Association, there were over 70,000 people playing golf as a leisure sport in the country in 2018, up from 10,000 in 2009. The nation has more than 30 golf courses.

Under a government plan approved in 2009, the country would have 89 golf courses by 2020. But according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment, only 30 have been completed and put into operation, with many reportedly struggling.

American television channel CNBC last year broadcast a 30-second commercial featuring Australian golfing legend Greg Norman promoting Vietnam's golf tourism.