Vietnam vs Malaysia for a Golf Holiday
Two of Southeast Asia's best value golf escapes, both with caddies, warm seas and brilliant food. Vietnam is the boom story, a coast of dazzling new courses by the game's biggest design names. Malaysia is the established hand, with mature jungle and seaside championship golf. Here is the honest head to head, with our verdict up front.
Photograph: Ba Na Hills Golf Club, Ba Na Hills Golf Club, via Google
The verdict
For most travelling golfers right now, Vietnam wins. The central coast around Danang and Hoi An has become one of the most exciting new golf destinations on earth, a tight cluster of dazzling courses by Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Robert Trent Jones II, all built in the last 15 years, paired with superb food, beaches and culture and genuinely good value. The energy and newness are hard to beat.
But Malaysia has the more mature, polished product and a single standout that Vietnam cannot quite match in setting. The Els Club Teluk Datai, an Ernie Els rainforest course running down to the Andaman Sea in Langkawi, is one of the most beautiful in Asia, and Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club brings real tournament pedigree as host of the Maybank Championship. Malaysia is easy, English friendly and reliable year round. Pick Vietnam for the buzz of a booming new coast, Malaysia for established quality and that one unforgettable jungle round. Both are superb value.
Head to head
| Vietnam | Malaysia | |
|---|---|---|
| Signature courses | BRG Danang, Norman Dunes and Nicklaus; Hoiana Shores, by Robert Trent Jones II; Laguna Lang Co, by Nick Faldo; The Bluffs Ho Tram, by Greg Norman; KN Golf Links | The Els Club Teluk Datai, Langkawi, by Ernie Els; Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, the Maybank Championship; Saujana, Palm and Bunga Raya; Forest City, by Jack Nicklaus |
| The best single course | The Greg Norman Dunes Course at BRG Danang, a true links on the central coast, with Hoiana Shores close behind | The Els Club Teluk Datai, an Ernie Els rainforest and seaside course widely rated the finest in the country |
| Design and vintage | Almost all new, built since the mid 2000s by marquee designers; a fresh, dramatic, resort led collection | More established, a mix of mature 1990s championship courses and newer resort layouts; polished and well grown in |
| Green fees, top end | Indicative 2026 peak roughly 90 to 180 US dollars at the leading courses, caddie and cart on top; strong package value | Broadly similar at the top, with cheaper golf available further down the field; caddies common |
| Off the course | Outstanding: Hoi An old town, Danang beaches, world famous food, fast growing luxury resorts | Easy and varied: Kuala Lumpur's city buzz, Langkawi's rainforest and islands, English widely spoken |
| Best season | Central coast best roughly February to August; wet season autumn into winter | Year round tropical golf; the east coast wettest November to February |
| Who it suits | Players chasing the newest, most dramatic courses and a vibrant food and beach trip | Players wanting mature, polished golf, one unforgettable jungle round and reliable year round weather |
Course facts and indicative fee ranges verified June 2026; fees move with season and package, so always confirm directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
Who should pick which
Pick Vietnam if
You want the most exciting new golf in Asia and a vibrant trip around it. The Danang coast clusters a string of dazzling modern courses by the game's biggest design names within a short drive, the food and beaches are world class, and the value is excellent. It suits a group that wants drama, newness and a full holiday of golf, culture and good living on a booming coast.
Pick Malaysia if
You want mature, polished golf and one truly unforgettable round. The Els Club Teluk Datai in Langkawi is among the most beautiful courses in Asia, Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club brings tournament pedigree, and the whole country is easy, English friendly and playable year round. It suits a group that values quality and reliability over the buzz of the newest thing.
Plan your Southeast Asia golf trip
Vietnam, Malaysia or a twin centre tour of both. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling, and one concierge builds the tee times, caddies, transfers and base, and costs it to the head, with no obligation.
Vietnam vs Malaysia questions
Is Vietnam or Malaysia better for a golf holiday?
Both are excellent value Southeast Asian destinations with caddie golf. Vietnam is the rising star, with a wave of new coastal courses around Danang and Ho Tram by Greg Norman, Jack Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Robert Trent Jones II, and a vibrant trip combining golf with food and culture. Malaysia is the more mature option, with established championship courses such as the Els Club Teluk Datai in Langkawi and Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. Choose Vietnam for newness and energy, Malaysia for polish and a single standout course.
What is the best golf course in Vietnam and Malaysia?
In Vietnam the most acclaimed course is the Greg Norman designed Dunes Course at BRG Danang Golf Resort, a true links on the central coast, with Hoiana Shores by Robert Trent Jones II close behind. In Malaysia the standout is the Els Club Teluk Datai in Langkawi, an Ernie Els rainforest course along the Andaman Sea widely rated the best in the country, with Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club, host of the Maybank Championship, the strongest inland test.
How much does golf cost in Vietnam and Malaysia?
Both are good value by Western standards, and both use caddies. In 2026, green fees at the leading resort courses typically run from around 90 to 180 US dollars at peak, with caddie and cart fees on top, and Malaysia is broadly similar to Vietnam at the top end while offering cheaper golf further down the field. Twilight and package rates lower the cost. These are indicative figures, so always confirm current fees directly before booking.
When is the best time to play golf in Vietnam and Malaysia?
Vietnam's central coast around Danang plays best from roughly February to August, drier and warm, while the wet season runs autumn into winter. Malaysia is tropical and playable year round, though the east coast is wettest from November to February. Both are hot and humid, so early tee times are wise. Always check the regional monsoon pattern for the specific area you are visiting.
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course facts and indicative fees verified June 2026. Last reviewed June 2026.