Danang, Vietnam: Central Vietnam’s status as an elite golf hub was reaffirmed as Ba Na Hills Golf Club was named ‘Golf Course of the Year in Vietnam’ at the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO) Awards.

With championship layouts designed by Luke Donald (Ba Na Hills Golf Club), Sir Nick Faldo (Laguna Golf Lang Co), and Colin Montgomerie (Montgomerie Links), Central Vietnam has emerged as one of Asia’s top destinations for play.

The region’s glowing reputation was burnished once again at the latest IAGTO Awards in Abu Dhabi.

“We are proud to be named ‘Golf Course of the Year in Vietnam’,” said Gary Dixon, General Manager of Ba Na Hills Golf Club. “This award not only highlights the club’s achievements but also puts a positive spotlight on the entire Vietnam Golf Coast, reinforcing Central Vietnam’s status as one of Asia’s premier golf tourism destinations.”

With its vibrant cities, outstanding beaches and hotels complemented by an enviable infrastructure, the region is regarded by many observers as the continent’s most complete golf destination: a fact reflected in a multitude of accolades for its clubs.

Laguna Golf Lang Co and Ba Na Hills Golf Club, linchpins alongside Montgomerie Links of the Vietnam Golf Coast (VGC) – a destination marketing organisation that links Central Vietnam’s best signature golf layouts – were named among the top 11 golf resorts in Asia last year by Golf.com.

Their inclusion in the Asia list also guaranteed them spots in the overall Top 100 Golf Resorts in the world standings.

“Vietnam’s reputation as a golf destination has never been brighter and we are confident that the cluster of courses in the centre of the country represents the jewel in its crown,” said Stephen Banks, Director of Golf at Laguna Lang Co, a Facility Member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.

“The courses offer a wide variety of experiences to golfers. You can play seaside coastal golf one day and enjoy terrific mountain vistas the next day,” added Banks.

Central Vietnam’s burgeoning reputation on the global stage was reflected during 2023, a year that saw the total number of rounds played on its courses reach an all-time high.

The key players in the VGC are gunning for further accolades to boost the area with Montgomerie Links, Ba Na Hills Golf Club, and Laguna Golf Lang Co all nominated for the title of ‘Vietnam’s Best Course’ at the 2024 World Golf Awards.

“Success breeds success, so it is fantastic for all of us that the clubs in Central Vietnam are earning wider recognition,” said Le Vo Hoang Van, Club Manager at Montgomerie Links where Scotsman Montgomerie fashioned old-world design elements into a challenging layout.