Thailand vs Vietnam for a Golf Holiday
The established giant of Asian golf against its fastest rising rival. Thailand has spent more than twenty years as the region's leading destination, deep in courses, easy on logistics and superb value. Vietnam answers with a spectacular new coast, championship designs by Norman, Faldo and Donald, and the thrill of a destination still being discovered. Here is the honest head to head, with our verdict up front.
Photograph: Siam Country Club Old Course, via Google
The verdict
For most first time Asian golf trips, Thailand wins. It has been the leading golf destination in the region for over two decades, and it shows in everything: the depth of quality courses across Pattaya, Bangkok, Hua Hin and Phuket, the slick resort and transfer infrastructure, the food and nightlife, and value that few places on earth can match. Siam Country Club's Old and Plantation courses near Pattaya anchor a rota deep enough for a fortnight, and the whole trip is reliably easy to run.
But Vietnam is the more exciting choice for the experienced traveller chasing new ground. The central coast around Da Nang has assembled, in barely fifteen years, one of the most spectacular concentrations of modern golf in Asia, with Greg Norman's links style Danang Golf Club, the dramatic Ba Na Hills, Hoiana Shores by Robert Trent Jones II and Nick Faldo's Laguna Lang Co, all beside a glorious coastline and within reach of Hoi An. It feels fresher and less crowded than Thailand, if a touch dearer and less deep. Pick Thailand for depth, value and easy logistics. Pick Vietnam for dramatic new courses and a sense of discovery. Both are world class winter golf.
Head to head
| Thailand | Vietnam | |
|---|---|---|
| Signature courses | Siam Country Club Old and Plantation, Pattaya; Black Mountain and Banyan, Hua Hin; Alpine and Thai Country Club, Bangkok; Blue Canyon, Phuket | Danang Golf Club and Ba Na Hills, Da Nang; Hoiana Shores; Laguna Lang Co; plus courses around Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City |
| Depth and choice | The deepest in Southeast Asia, well over two hundred courses nationwide across four mature hubs | Fewer courses but a fast growing, spectacular cluster led by the central coast |
| Green fees | Around 25 dollars at municipal courses to roughly 230 at premium venues; many fine courses 50 to 150 | Marquee resort courses often 100 to 250 dollars in 2026, reflecting their newness |
| Value and logistics | Excellent value, superb infrastructure, very easy to run a multi course trip | Very good value by world standards; central coast compact, regions further apart |
| Best season | November to February, the cool dry season nationwide | February to August on the central coast; autumn and spring in the north |
| Beyond golf | Beaches, food, nightlife and culture; a complete holiday for groups and families | Hoi An, Da Nang beaches, dramatic scenery and a fresher, quieter feel |
| Who it suits | First timers, value seekers and groups wanting maximum golf with minimum fuss | Experienced travellers wanting new, dramatic courses and a sense of discovery |
Course facts and indicative fee ranges verified June 2026; fees move with season and demand, so always confirm directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Who should pick which
Pick Thailand if
You want the easiest, best value great golf trip in Asia and the deepest choice of courses. Base yourself in Pattaya or Hua Hin and you can play a different excellent course every day, with short transfers, superb caddies and a holiday for the whole group around it. Ideal for a first Asian golf trip, a buddies week or a mixed group that wants golf, beaches and nightlife in one place.
Pick Vietnam if
You want the most dramatic new courses in Asia and a destination that still feels like a discovery. The central coast around Da Nang packs championship layouts by Norman, Faldo and Robert Trent Jones II beside a stunning shoreline, with Hoi An on the doorstep. Best for experienced golf travellers and couples who value spectacular modern design and a quieter, fresher feel over sheer depth.
Plan your Southeast Asia golf trip
Thailand, Vietnam or a combination of the two. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling, and one concierge builds the tee times, transfers and base, and costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Thailand vs Vietnam questions
Is Thailand or Vietnam better for a golf holiday?
Thailand is the established king of Asian golf travel, with more than two decades as the region's leading destination, the deepest network of courses across Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Phuket, superb infrastructure and excellent value. Vietnam is the exciting challenger, with a spectacular and rapidly growing coast around Da Nang, championship courses by Greg Norman, Nick Faldo and Luke Donald, and a fresher, less crowded feel. Choose Thailand for depth, value and easy logistics, Vietnam for new courses, dramatic coastline and a sense of discovery.
Is golf cheaper in Thailand or Vietnam?
Thailand is generally the better value, with green fees ranging from around 25 dollars at municipal courses to about 230 at premium venues, and many fine courses in the 50 to 150 range. Vietnam's marquee resort courses tend to sit a little higher, often 100 to 250 dollars in 2026, reflecting their newness and resort positioning. Both are far cheaper than Europe, the United States or Japan, and caddies are included or inexpensive at almost every course. Always confirm current fees directly before booking.
When is the best time to play golf in Thailand and Vietnam?
Thailand plays best in the cool, dry season from November to February, comfortable and reliable across Bangkok, Pattaya, Hua Hin and Phuket. Central Vietnam around Da Nang is at its best from February to August, the drier window on that coast, while the north around Hanoi favours autumn and spring. Both are hot and humid year round, so early tee times and a caddie are the norm.
Which has better golf courses, Thailand or Vietnam?
Thailand has the greater number of top courses and the deeper rota, led by Siam Country Club's Old and Plantation courses in Pattaya, the Bangkok clubs and Black Mountain in Hua Hin. Vietnam has fewer courses but several of the most spectacular new layouts in Asia, including Ba Na Hills, Danang Golf Club and Hoiana Shores on the central coast and Laguna Lang Co further north. For sheer choice Thailand leads; for dramatic modern design Vietnam is hard to beat.
Related
The Tee Sheet
Course openings, green fee changes and the booking windows that matter. Every other week.
Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts and indicative fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.