Guide from Australia to Vietnam to play golf

Traveling from Australia to Vietnam for golf is an amazing experience. Golfers will enjoy magnificent golf hazards on the tranquil scenery while encountering high-end accommodation services. It promises to be a memorable experience that every Australian golfer will want to repeat.

1. Vietnam general information

• Location: Southeast Asia
• Capital: Hanoi
• Language: Vietnamese
• Currency: Vietnam Dong (VND)
• Main religion: Buddhism, Catholicism, Confucianism, Caodaism
• Ethnic group: 54
• Time zone: UTC+7

To those who may not know, Vietnam is the fastest-growing golf market in the world. Its infrastructure is modern enough to serve an unlimited number of domestic and international golfers. With 35 out of 100 golf courses built to world standards and numerous golf & resort complexes, Vietnam is utilizing its potential and opportunities to develop golf tourism and bring golfers thrilling golf experiences whenever they arrive.

2. Visa & packaging tips

Visa

If you are planning to travel from Australia to Vietnam for golf, make sure your passport is valid for at least six months from the date of arrival. As an Australian golfer, you need a visa to enter Vietnam. However, don’t be too serious because the visa application process is much easier than before. There are several ways for you to get a Vietnam visa. 

Firstly, you can apply directly at the Embassy of Vietnam in Canberra, Australia. Provide enough information (name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and date of arrival), and you will receive a visa after several working days.

You can also use a Visa on Arrival (VOA) to enter Vietnam. This way, you have to obtain an approval letter. Print it out and show it (together with your Vietnam tour itinerary, hotel booking confirmation letter, e-tickets of to-and-from-Vietnam flights, travel insurance policy, copy of passport, and cash for stamping fee) at the airport upon arrival at one of Vietnam international airports. Please contact us for more advice and get an approval letter in short time.

From March 15th, 2022, Australian golfers have another more convenient way to apply for a Vietnam visa, through an E-visa (electronic visa) application system. Just fill in the online visa application form issued by the Immigration Department of Vietnam, pay $25 of applying fee, and wait for about three working days. You will receive an E-visa instead of an approval letter as before. It is the most favorable way at the moment, as golfers can apply for a Vietnam visa themselves and do not need to pay a stamping fee at the airport.

>>> Everything you need to know about Vietnam visa requirements, where and how to apply for a Vietnam visa is here. 

Packaging tips

To have a wonderful golf holiday in Vietnam, you need:

• Golfing items: This is the most important thing you mustn’t forget when traveling from Australia to Vietnam for golf. Golfing items include golf clubs, balls, tees, a water bottle, and a couple of hats. Forgetting these items is like giving away money because you will have to buy them at an expensive price in Vietnam golf courses. 
• Gloves: Improve the grip of the golf club and keep warm during cold weather.
• Sunglasses: Protect the eyes and improve vision in bright light.
• Painkillers: Wonder why bring painkillers? Standing for too long in the hot weather may cause you some headaches, and painkillers will help you to deal with it immediately to not affect the game. You may also experience muscle pains after several swings. So, pain relievers are very important, especially when you go on a long Vietnam golf tour.
• Sunscreen: Sunscreen will help you to avoid sunburn in the scorching weather of Vietnam. Even if you come here in the winter, sunscreen is still vital.
• An extra pair of shoes: Bring an extra pair of shoes to prepare for unexpected situations, such as stepping in a puddle, torning shoes, etc.
• Insect repellent: You will not realize the importance of insect repellent until you visit country clubs in Vietnam, where there are many tiny insects and mosquitoes. Bring it for your safety and comfort.
• Personal items: Don’t forget your passport, ID card, business cards, credit cards, and some extra cash when planning to travel from Australia to Vietnam for golf.

>>> Read more: Essential packing list for your golfing travel.

3. Best time to play golf in Vietnam

Golf is an outdoor sport, so it is essential to research the weather carefully when preparing for Vietnam golf tours. 

Hanoi and North Vietnam

The most suitable time to play golf in Hanoi and North Vietnam is from March to April and September to November. It is the late spring and fall season in Vietnam when the weather is warm and less humid. It is cool and comfortable, with an average temperature of around 25 degrees Celcius. 

The summer (from May to July) and winter (from December to February) is low golf season in the north of Vietnam, as it is scorching or extremely cold. The heavy rain in the summer and fog in the winter will also diminish your golf experience.

Da Nang and Central Vietnam

Da Nang and Central Vietnam are warm all year round, with the lowest temperature of around 18 degrees Celcius in November and the highest of 38 degrees Celcius in August. The best time to have a golf round here is from February to May, when it is dry and cool. 

It is very hot from May to August while witnessing a lot of rainfall from August to the end of the year. This region is also susceptible to storms on that occasion, so it is impossible for a golf holiday.

Ho Chi Minh City and South Vietnam

Different from North Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City and South Vietnam have only two seasons: the rainy season and the dry one. Generally, you can play golf in this region all year round, but the peak season often coincides with the dry season, from November to April. Thereupon, the weather is at its mildest, with a temperature of around 32 degrees Celcius. The weather in Ho Chi Minh City is never too severe for golfing, and you can enjoy a game of golf to the fullest whenever you want. Playing in the high season, you can enjoy ultimate weather but face escalating prices and crowded conditions. In contrast, if you care more about green fees and prefer a quiet atmosphere, you can come here in the low season.

4. Transportation

Travel between Australia and Vietnam

It is easy to travel from Australia to Vietnam for golf and vice versa. There are numerous direct flights from Sydney and Melbourne airports of Australia to major international airports in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, and Nha Trang of Vietnam. The flying time is approximately nine to 12 hours, depending on your taking off and landing destinations. To book a flight from Australia to Vietnam, you can refer to the websites of the following airlines: 

• Vietnam Airlines: https://www.vietnamairlines.com/en-au/flights-from-australia
• Air Asia: https://www.airasia.com/flights/vietnam
• Jetstar: https://www.jetstar.com/au/en/cheap-flights/vietnam
• Malaysia Airlines: https://www.malaysiaairlines.com/au/en.html
• Thai Airways: https://www.thaiairways.com/flights/en/flights-from-australia-to-vietnam
• Scoot: https://flights.flyscoot.com/en-au/flights-to-vietnam
• Cathay Dragon: https://flights.cathaypacific.com/destinations/en_AU/flights-from-australia-to-vietnam
• Singapore Airlines: https://www.singaporeair.com/en-au/flights-to-vietnam

Most Australian golfers land at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City for their golf holiday in Vietnam as it is cheaper than flying to other Vietnam airports in Hanoi or Da Nang. 

Transportation in Vietnam

Tourists traveling from Australia to Vietnam for golf often prefer a private car rental service to move from one golf course to another in the most convenient way. Because of the heavy club bags, you cannot move around on a motorbike. How about catching a traditional or tech-based taxi? It will take you a lot of time and effort to load and unload your luggage.

Another reason to rent a private car in Vietnam is the experienced and careful driver, who works with the hope of creating a not only safe but also comfortable journey for every customer. He is skillful in dealing with unforeseen driving situations on roads, has good route knowledge, and is very affectionate with customers. Just let him know your next destination, and you will be taken there safely and timely.

For those who prefer a luxurious car brand for their golf holiday in Vietnam, there is a wide variety of car types for them to choose, such as Porsche Cayenne, Range Rover Sport, Lexus GX-460, Toyota Prado, Toyota Fortuner, and Deluxe van Ford Transit. These are famous car brands of affluence, elegance, and high performance. Notably, the Deluxe van Ford Transit can serve up to six golfers with full club bags.

>>> To know more about this private car rental service, you can refer to our article on Luxury transportation here.

5. Stay & play golf courses

Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing golf markets in the world and a perfect destination for a golf holiday. Not only magnificent golf hazards, Vietnam golf courses are blessed with breathtaking landscapes and constructed with state-of-the-art accommodation facilities. Some can be named the Sky Lake Golf Club and BRG King’s Island Golf and Country Club in Hanoi, Bluffs Ho Tram Strip in Ba Ria – Vung Tau, Hoiana Shores Golf & Beach Resort in Da Nang – Hoi An, Vinpearl Golf Phu Quoc in Phu Quoc Island, etc. They are resort complexes built with a world-standard golf course, high-end hotels and villas, modern spas, and numerous recreational activities for a perfect golf escape.

Vietnam is a golf paradise for a stay & play holiday. Even if you go in a group of golfers and non-golfers, Vietnam golf courses’ facilities can still adapt. Let’s have a look through the list of best places for a golf holiday in Vietnam:

• Sky Lake Resort & Golf Club
• Sono Belle Hai Phong
• Laguna Lang Co Golf Club
• Nara Binh Tien Golf & Beach Resort
• Montgomerie Links Vietnam

6. Golf & sightseeing tours

Not only the huge potential to develop golf tourism, but Vietnam is also enthroned with beautiful sceneries and a pleasant climate all year round to become an ideal travel destination in Southeast Asia. It has a long coastline with more than 120 stunning beaches, possesses 3,000 national historical places, and is home to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as Ha Long Bay, Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park, My Son Sanctuary, Trang An Landscape Complex, etc. So, why don’t you combine your Vietnam golf tours with sightseeing days to satisfy your golf passion and soothe your eyes with the natural beauty of this S-shaped country? 

At GolfLux, we provide numerous golf and sightseeing tours in which you will have a golf game alternating with a sightseeing day. You will stay at 5-star hotels or stay & play resort complexes. The golf courses you come across during your golf holiday in Vietnam are all constructed to international standards and blessed with gorgeous sceneries. 

• Hanoi – Ha Long golf tour package 7 days
• North and Central Vietnam golf package tour in 9 days
• Hanoi – Saigon golf holiday package 12 days 
• Vietnam golf and sightseeing packaged tour 18 days 

7. Address for reference

• Australian Embassy in Hanoi

Address: No. 8 Dao Tan Street, Ba Dinh District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Telephone: +84 24 37740100

Website: Click here

• Australian Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City

Address: 20th Floor, Vincom Center, 47 Ly Tu Trong Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Telephone: +84 28 3521 8100

Website: Click here 

• Vietnam Embassy in Australia

Address: 6 Timbarra Crescent, O’Malley, ACT, 2606, Australia

Telephone: (02) 61694916

Website: Click here 

Now, you know how to travel from Australia to Vietnam for golf: how to apply for a Vietnam visa, the mode of transportation, where to stay & play when you are in Vietnam, etc. Contact us here if you want more information or need help with a customized golf holiday in Vietnam.