This partnership builds upon the VGA's collaborations with the National Administration of Tourism and the Administration of Sports to establish golf as a key tourism product. The association believes this is an opportune time to define a unique identity for Vietnamese golf and capitalize on the country's scenic beauty and service offerings.

The R&A's Global Golf Participation Report 2024, released in June, highlighted Vietnam as one of the fastest-growing countries for registered golfers, with a 279% increase compared to 2023. Female participation is at 26%, high among the global community. Vietnam currently has over 90 operational 18-hole golf courses and expects to reach 200 by 2030. According to the National Administration of Tourism, golf tourism generated 600 million USD in revenue in 2022 and is projected to surpass 1 billion USD in 2025, accounting for approximately 8-10% of total tourism revenue.

VGA and 54 Group signing the cooperation agreement on 9/9. Photo: 54 Group

Nguyen Thi Thu Ha, Vice President of the VGA, emphasized the need for product diversification and enhanced service quality to leverage the potential and maintain growth. "Vietnam already has golf courses ranked among the top 100 globally. The partnership with 54 Group will pave the way for breakthrough development," she said.

Jed Moore, CEO of 54 Group, noted Vietnam's strong growth trajectory in terms of golfers, tourists, and new golf course projects. "We are partnering to implement a national golf strategy with economic, social, and environmental impact. Our immediate priorities include a strategic framework for grassroots development, workforce training, technology application, and support for elite athlete training," he said.

The new strategy also focuses on urban-based introductory golf experiences, sustainable development, and increased integration with the tourism ecosystem. The entire industry will be unified under the banner "Golf in Vietnam."

The partnership announcement was made during the 20th anniversary of Vietnam Golf Leisure. The VGA will also participate in the organizing committee for the first Vietnam Golf Course Investors Conference, scheduled for 31/10 at Laguna Lang Co Golf Resort, a course designed by Nick Faldo.

54 Group is a sports and entertainment conglomerate operating across five regions, with 10 offices located in the UK, Spain, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Japan, Vietnam, and other countries. The company collaborates with rights holders, governing bodies, brands, and investors in the sports industry.

Hoai Phuong