(TITC) – On 15 September, in Ha Noi, Mr. Nguyen Trung Khanh, Chairman of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) attended and presented awards at the Vietnam Golf & Leisure Awards 2026 ceremony in Hanoi.
Launched in 2007, the Vietnam Golf & Leisure Awards has accompanied the development of golf in Vietnam, recognizing outstanding achievements and contributions that create long-term value for the industry. In 2026, the awards continue to honour the country’s leading golf courses, as well as outstanding standards and distinctive achievements in products and services across the golf ecosystem, contributing to the development of Vietnam’s golf sector and its growing international profile.
In his opening remarks, Mr. Pham Tien Van, Head of the Organizing Committee of the Vietnam Golf & Leisure Awards 2026, said that the awards have accompanied the development of golf in Vietnam for nearly two decades and gradually established a professional and objective evaluation system that serves as a reference for the golf industry.
The award results were based on votes from the golf community, field surveys and assessments by a judging panel comprising representatives of management agencies, international organizations, and Vietnamese and international experts. The awards not only recognize outstanding achievements but also encourage golf courses, resorts and businesses to improve quality, innovate services and pursue sustainable development.
At the ceremony, VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh highly appreciated the nearly two-decade journey of the Vietnam Golf & Leisure Awards and its contribution to the development of golf tourism in Vietnam.
Building on the growth recorded in 2025, Vietnam’s tourism sector served 113 million domestic visitors in the first eight months of 2026, up 6.6% year on year, while welcoming 16 million international visitors, an increase of 15% compared with the same period in 2025. Vietnam remains among the world’s leading destinations in terms of tourist growth and has become a favourite destination for international travellers in recent years.
Notably, in Vietnam’s tourism development orientation, particularly under Resolution No. 26-NQ/TW of the Politburo on “Developing Vietnam’s Tourism into a Key Economic Sector in the New Era” issued on August 22, 2026, golf tourism has been identified as an important tourism product with significant development potential.
Golf is not only a sport but also a high-value tourism product capable of connecting golf courses with accommodation, resorts, transportation, gastronomy, wellness services and cultural experiences across different regions. With its diverse landscapes, increasingly world-class golf courses and continuously developing services, Vietnam has favourable conditions to become a leading golf destination in the region and around the world.
These efforts have received international recognition. To date, Vietnam has been named “Asia’s Best Golf Destination” nine consecutive times and has received the title of “World’s Best Golf Destination” twice.
VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh emphasized that these international accolades are a source of pride as well as motivation for Vietnam to continue improving tourism products and services and strengthening the promotion and marketing of golf tourism in key international markets.
To achieve this goal, Vietnam needs to develop a comprehensive, high-quality and distinctive golf tourism ecosystem with strong international connectivity. Golf courses should strengthen cooperation with travel companies, accommodation providers, airlines and tourism destinations to develop integrated golf tourism products. Such cooperation can help extend visitors’ stays, enhance their experiences and increase the economic benefits generated by tourism.
The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism will continue working with relevant stakeholders to promote cooperation and connectivity, develop tourism products, and strengthen the promotion and marketing of Vietnam’s tourism and golf tourism in key international markets, with a focus on sustainable and effective development.
On the occasion, VNAT’s Chairman Nguyen Trung Khanh congratulated all organizations honoured at the Vietnam Golf & Leisure Awards 2026. He expressed his hope that each award would serve as a source of pride, motivation and responsibility for the recipients to contribute to elevating the profile of golf and golf tourism in Vietnam in the years ahead.
Mr. Peter Walton, Chief Executive Officer of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), congratulated Vietnam on the strong development of golf and golf tourism in recent years. He noted that golf tourism development should focus on the destination-cluster approach, with increasing the number and diversifying golf products potentially creating greater appeal among international travellers.
He also highlighted the importance of organizing industry events and strengthening connections with international tourism businesses to enhance destination awareness and expand international visitor markets.
Drawing on IAGTO’s practical experience, Mr. Peter Walton stressed that golf tourism should not be developed through a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, it should be strategically developed in line with the characteristics and objectives of each golf course and destination. When effectively organized and connected, golf tourism can help optimize capacity, increase revenue and create momentum for sustainable growth in the golf industry.
At the ceremony, the Organizing Committee presented 56 awards across 47 categories to outstanding hotels, resorts, brands, golf service and technology providers, golf courses, academies and practice facilities. The awards comprised 15 leisure-related categories and 32 golf-course categories.
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