The Vietnam Golf Course Owners Summit (VNGOS 2025) took place at Laguna Lang Co Golf Resort in Hue. The event focused on the sustainable development of golf tourism and the economy, aiming to make golf a strategic driver in the national tourism ecosystem from 2025-2030, with a vision to 2040.

The management board of 54 Company meets with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to discuss the Vietnam Golf Course Owners Summit. Photo: 54 Company

The management board of 54 Company meets with the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism to discuss the Vietnam Golf Course Owners Summit. Photo: 54 Company

Golf is both a sport and a high-end tourism product, attracting international visitors with high spending power and longer stays. Golf tourism boosts consumption in accommodation, dining, shopping, entertainment, and meetings and events, while enhancing the national tourism brand.

VNGOS 2025 brought together over 200 delegates from more than 10 countries and territories, including golf course owners, government agencies, international associations, experts, and tourism and resort groups. Golf legend Greg Norman, Vietnam's tourism ambassador for 2025-2030, attended along with representatives from golf course management companies and partner brands such as Turfgrass, Sports Turf Solutions, and Toro. Representatives from the Spanish Golf Course Owners Association, the Korea Golf Association, and the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) were also present.

Discussion topics revolved around strategies to attract international visitors, positioning Vietnam on the Asian golf map, establishing sustainable development standards, planning for 100 new golf courses, investment incentives, public-private partnership models, and foreign direct investment. The conference also laid the groundwork for the establishment of the Vietnam Golf Course Owners Alliance. Another key element was the announcement of a national golf course rating system to improve service quality and player experience.

The event also helped position Hue as a strategic golf center, integrating heritage, resorts, and high-end sports over the next 5 years. In addition to discussion sessions, the program included a gala dinner, golf awards ceremony, and the AGIF Golf Tournament held on 1-2/11, also at Laguna Lang Co Golf Resort – a course designed by Sir Nick Faldo, renowned for its blend of natural terrain and sustainability.

The conference was organized under the direction of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the People's Committee of Hue City; the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the Department of Physical Education and Sports, the Department of Culture and Sports, and the Department of Tourism of Hue in collaboration; and implemented by 54 Vietnam Company Limited. This was also a key activity during the Wellness Tourism Week - Vietnam Golf Festival, part of the National Tourism Year - Hue 2025.

The organizers hope the conference will attract high-spending international tourists, diversify Vietnam's sports tourism products, and promote a green golf development model that balances economic benefits with environmental protection and the interests of the local community.

Hoai Phuong