Vietnam Golf Trail, Don’t have to Choose
The Vietnam Golf Trail can continue to Nha Trang, along the coast or make its way to the mountains. Or simply not be a choice and cover both, in which case the mountains will come first. A three- hour winding drive will bring you to coffee country, Da Lat. It may just be what you want with considerably cooler temperatures, since Dalat lies at almost 5000 feet. The climate, the easy pace, the architecture and the relaxed cafés may even lure you to extend your stay. The bonus is you don’t have to worry about cutting down on your golf time. As it so happens, there are 3 golf courses in Dalat.
That considered, if you have time for just one, go with Dalat Palace Golf Club for the history. It is the oldest golf course in Vietnam, built as a 9-hole layout by the French back in 1922. The last emperor of Vietnam, an avid golfer, helped make it an 18-hole golf course. The setting of the course celebrates the beauty of the region and you are sure to have an enjoyable time.
The other two courses – the Dalat at 1200 Country Club and Sacom Tuyen Lam Golf Club are more contemporary in design. However, the Dalat golf experience lies in the mountain landscape and climate, unique for golf in Vietnam.
And To Another Golf Destination By Itself
Dalat may be an optional detour on the Vietnam golf holiday trail, but Nha Trang should not be a matter of choice. First of all, it fits in perfectly logically with the trail. Secondly, there is no reason to deliberately avoid it. Thirdly, it has a beautiful stretch of sandy beaches with blue waters that no one should miss. Finally, of the 3 golf courses in Nha Trang, 2 merit inclusions in the Vietnam Golf Trail.
In fact, your first stop should be KN Golf Links in Cam Ranh, 56 km shy of Nha Trang town.
KN Golf Links is about a 4-hour drive from Mui Ne and 3 hours if you were coming from Dalat. It is yet another symbol of Greg Norman’s love affair with Vietnam’s glorious coastline. The third to be precise. The setting of the 18-hole Links Course by “Long Beach” is magical, as is the land on which it lies. But let that not distract you from the need to deliver against a serious golf challenge. When has The Great White Shark let you have it easy? The clubhouse may just be the place for that or the extra 9 holes of the parkland “Oasis” course. The KN Cam Ranh Links may be new but is already doing wonders for the lure of golf in Vietnam.
You can play both the other golf courses in Nha Trang before heading further ahead on the trail. If time permits only one, then it should be the Vinpearl Golf Course for its setting overlooking the Nha Trang Bay. Forbes magazine has included in the top 30 bays worldwide and every hole at Vinpearl celebrates that with its view. The IMG designed Vinpearl Golf Course, situated on Hon Tre island is best reached by speedboat, adding to the experience.
The Vietnam Golf Trail progresses next to the golf courses in Danang, a long drive away, but worth every kilometer.
