Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Vietnam has introduced the world’s first global golf tournament system dedicated exclusively to industrial parks, marking a new approach to how industrial leaders, manufacturers, and investors connect, engage, and build long-term partnerships across borders.

The IPGOLF TOUR – Global Industrial Parks Golf Championship System is a pioneering initiative that positions golf as a platform for strategic dialogue, trust-building, and international co-operation within the industrial eco-system. The initiative was formally established following a co-operation agreement signed last month between the Vietnam Industrial Zone (VIZ) Portal and global sports and entertainment agency 54.

The 54 team in Vietnam will serve as the event management company, overseeing the international tournament series.

The partnership between VIZ and 54 originated from a breakthrough strategic vision: to position golf as a new method of connection – ‘Golf diplomacy and global connections’ – specifically dedicated to the community of leaders from industrial parks, manufacturing enterprises, and international investors.

Instead of traditional meeting frameworks, the IPGOLF TOUR aims to create a sophisticated dialogue space where each round of golf becomes an opportunity to build trust, share vision, and form long-term co-operative relationships. These are key factors in a context where global capital flows are increasingly selective, closely tied to sustainable development standards and long-term value.

According to Industrial Parks Forum 2025, after more than 30 years of establishment and development, Vietnam has over 450 industrial parks, attracting more than 25,000 domestic and foreign investors. “These achievements lay a solid foundation for Vietnam to enter a new development phase, where requirements are not just about expanding scale, but also about project quality, operational capacity, sustainability standards, and the depth of international connectivity,” said a spokesperson for 54.

In this context, the IPGOLF TOUR was launched as an entirely new method of connection, specifically dedicated to the leaders who are directly driving the process of industrialisation and restructuring of the global production value chain.

Nguyen Thi Kim Khanh, Founder of IPGOLF, CEO of VIZ Portal, said: “The IPGOLF TOUR was conceived from a strategic aspiration: Vietnam needs an international tournament system, created by ourselves, that accurately reflects the stature and networking needs of the community of industrial park leaders and manufacturing enterprises.

“In the global context, there is currently no sports platform designed exclusively for the individuals driving the industrialisation process. Therefore, this is the time for Vietnam to step into a pioneering role and set a new standard.”

She emphasised that the IPGOLF is not merely a tournament system, but a strategic dialogue platform where leaders share their vision, build a healthy networking environment, and gradually form sustainable and in-depth co-operations.

Dandelly Nguyen, Managing Director of 54 Vietnam, said: “The IPGOLF TOUR offers a new meeting ground for leaders shaping the industrial future of Vietnam and the world. 54 is committed to building a tournament system where golf acts as a catalyst for dialogue, trust, and lasting partnerships. Each event is crafted to international standards, creating meaningful connections that strengthen Vietnam’s place as a rising hub in global industrial engagement.”

The IPGOLF TOUR 2026 will comprise 10 domestic and international regional tournaments and a global grand final, promising to attract 252 teams with 1,068 golfers, including leaders from the industrial sector in 16 countries. The series will create inter-continental connections with Singapore, Dubai, Germany and the US among the notable venues.

Across the series, players will be vying for a Hole-in-One prize of a Rolls-Royce Spectre, and the Championship Trophy, crafted from natural stone, which has set a new Guinness World Record as the ‘World’s Largest Stone Golf Championship Trophy’.

The Official Opening Ceremony of the Global Industrial Parks Golf Championship System 2026 will take place in April in Ho Chi Minh City.

*54 is a member of the Asian Golf Industry Federation.