HCMC hosts first golf tourism festival

The three-day event organized by the city Department of Tourism and Vietnam Golf Tourism Association features an exhibition on golf tourism products and services and a conference on promoting and training for golf tourism.

The Golf Club Championship held along with the festival began on Wednesday with nearly 1,000 players taking part.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Bui Thi Ngoc Hieu, deputy director of the tourism department, said the event is the first step in the development of golf tourism.

Last month the city had launched a golf-related tourism product as part of efforts to diversify and improve the competitiveness of its tourism industry.

Trinh Thanh, general secretary of the Vietnam Golf Tourism Association, said Vietnam has huge potential to develop golf tourism, which has been identified as a major product.

The weather in Vietnam is conducive to playing golf almost all year round, he said.

Many people travel to Vietnam from Europe, Japan and South Korea to play when the weather in their countries is unfavorable for outdoor sports, he said.

The cost of playing in Vietnam is cheaper than in other countries and people are satisfied with the golf courses it offers along its coastline and abutting luxury resorts, Thanh said.

Golf holiday packages and tours offer travellers the best courses along with exploration of the country’s beauty, culture and history and at promotional costs, he added.

Around 100,000 Vietnamese and foreigners living in Vietnam play the sport, according to the Vietnam Golf Tourism Association.

There are 100 golf courses in the country, including 32 on the sea that meet international standards.

Vietnam was named the World’s Best Golf Destination in 2019 and 2021 in the World Golf Awards, surpassing many others such as the U.S., New Zealand, China, Thailand, and South Korea.