The Vietnam Golf Course Owners Summit 2025 - Driving Golf Tourism Growth (VNGOS 2025), held at Laguna Golf Resort Lang Co, marked a strategic turning point as government leaders, course owners, and international experts united to synchronize a vision for sustainable golf development, anchored in cultural identity and quality as the foundation for national competitiveness.

The summit is directed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Hue City People’s Committee, and jointly organized by the Vietnam National Tourism Administration, the Vietnam Sports Administration, the Hue Department of Culture and Sports, the Hue Department of Tourism, and 54 with support from the Vietnam Golf Association (VGA).

In his opening remarks, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hồ An Phong emphasized that golf is becoming an integral part of Vietnam’s strategy for high-quality, sustainable tourism development.

Looking ahead to 2030, the Ministry envisions golf as a premium tourism product and a composite economic sector spanning culture, sports, and tourism, contributing to green growth, regional development, and national branding. Golf will serve as a bridge between sport, tourism, investment, and education, positioning Vietnam not only as a destination for golfers but also as a hub for talent development, international events, and a network of golf destinations with a distinctly Vietnamese identity. This is a concrete step towards realizing the Vietnam Golf Vision 2030, building a sustainable, globally integrated golf industry rooted in cultural value.

The Ministry encourages regional linkages to form National Golf Destination Clusters, with Central Vietnam and particularly Hue, poised to become the nucleus of a chain of golf, resort, cultural, wellness, and local experience offerings. Through this, Vietnam can progressively build the Golf Vietnam brand.

In his keynote address, Jed Moore, Founder and 54 Group CEO, stated: “Golf is not the destination. Golf is the starting point. It is the spearhead for a national sports strategy capable of reshaping the economy, elevating Vietnam’s global image, and inspiring future generations.

“The world is changing rapidly, from investment flows and fan engagement to technology and media. Amid this transformation, Vietnam needs a distinctive approach: using golf as a catalyst, but looking far beyond the sport itself. We must pursue coordinated action across ministries, investors, and communities under one shared vision.

“If we remain committed to this vision with clarity and purpose, I believe Vietnam can absolutely be recognized as a Global Sports Nation by 2040.”

Moore’s call to action was seen as a manifesto for Vietnam’s golf industry, transforming from a standalone sector into a symbol of synergy and strategic national thinking.

Discussions at the summit centered on three key pillars:

• Defining Vietnam’s Golf Strategy

• Driving Sustainable Development

• Elevating the 5-Star Golf Experience toward a National Rating System

These pillars will guide the 2025–2030 roadmap to position Vietnam as a leading global golf destination, where every course embodies quality, culture, and sustainability.

Panel sessions featured prominent voices from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam Golf Association, and senior executives from England Golf, 54, Golf Course Association Europe, LIV Golf, Asian Tour, Toro, Club Car, Faldo Design, and other participants. Topics included: Golf Vietnam - Designing the Strategy 2030, The 5-Star Golf Experience - Potential Rating System, The Power of Growing Together as a Destination, Building Vietnam Golf - The Next Hundred.

Experts agreed that the true value of a destination lies not in individual courses but in the ability to create a unified, world-class experience, laying the foundation for Vietnam’s competitive edge in the next decade.

On the media front, Rick Shiels, LIV Golf ambassador and the world’s most influential golf content creator, highlighted the role of digital media in bringing Vietnam’s golf image closer to global audiences and younger generations. His perspective: “Golf must become part of life, not just a sport” was embraced as a modern approach for the new era.

Permanent Vice Chairman of Hue City People's Committee, Mr. Nguyen Thanh Binh reaffirmed the province’s commitment to developing golf tourism in harmony with cultural preservation and sustainability. Hue, with its iconic heritage and landscapes, is positioned as a destination where golf reflects ambition while connecting local communities and international visitors.

VNGOS 2025 concluded with a shared vision: Vietnam is not only Asia’s premier golf destination but is rising as a pioneer in defining the role of sport in economic growth, cultural identity, and national branding.