Vietnamese Golf and the Sustainable Development Challenge: When the Movement Booms but the Foundation Remains Thin

In the past decade and more, golf in Vietnam has undergone a dramatic transformation from a sport considered luxurious and reserved for a small group of wealthy players into a widespread movement with tens of thousands of regular participants, hundreds of tournaments each year, and a system of golf courses stretching from north to south. However, behind that impressive growth picture lie questions that have not been satisfactorily answered: is this development truly sustainable, and what are the bottlenecks that need to be resolved so that Vietnamese golf does not merely grow fast but grows strong? Looking at the overall figures, the growth rate of Vietnamese golf during the 2026-2026 period is highly noteworthy. The number of operational golf courses increased from about 40 to nearly 90, with a high concentration in key economic regions such as the Red River Delta, the Southeast, and the Central Coast. The number of regular golfers, according to estimates from associations and course operators, has tripled from a few tens of thousands to nearly 100,000. In particular, younger players and female players are increasing faster than average, showing that golf is no longer the privilege of a small group of middle-aged men as it was a decade ago. Alongside expansion in scale, infrastructure quality has also made clear progress. Many new golf courses have been designed by renowned international architects, applying modern landscape and technical standards, and are capable of hosting professional regional tournaments. Several courses have been selected by international golf magazines for lists of the most beautiful and challenging courses in Asia. This is a positive signal, because good infrastructure is a prerequisite for attracting international golf tourism, a segment considered to have high spending and long stays. However, if one looks deeply into the structure of this development, three major problems can be seen. The first is the imbalance between supply and demand in many areas. Some provinces and cities have a dense concentration of golf courses, leading to fierce competition for members and players, while areas with potential lack standard courses. The second is that service quality and professionalism in operations remain uneven. Not a few courses suffer from overcrowding on weekends, a lack of well-trained staff, or unstable course quality depending on the season. The third, and perhaps most important, is that the foundation for training and talent development remains thin, leaving Vietnamese golf without a generation of professional players capable of competing on the international stage. On the issue of training, it can be said that this is the biggest bottleneck. The number of Vietnamese professional golfers granted international playing cards remains very modest, only a handful. Most domestic golf academies focus on training amateurs and children as a recreational service, and have not yet built a proper talent development pathway from the grassroots to the professional level. The lack of a regularly organized youth tournament system, the lack of internationally qualified coaches, and the lack of year-round training conditions for young talents are barriers that prevent many gifted children from pursuing a professional path. In addition, cost remains a major barrier to the popularization of golf. Although service prices have diversified with the appearance of driving ranges, short-day play packages, and promotional programs, the cost of playing golf regularly is still much higher than that of other popular sports. Tuition, equipment, membership fees, and travel costs keep golf beyond the reach of most middle-income people. This creates a paradox: the movement is widely promoted in the media, but the proportion of people who can actually access this sport remains very small. From the perspective of golf tourism, Vietnam's potential is very large thanks to diverse terrain, a climate that allows year-round play in many areas, and proximity to famous tourist destinations. Coastal golf courses in Central Vietnam and resort courses in Da Lat, Phu Quoc, or Ha Long have attracted significant numbers of international visitors, especially from South Korea, Japan, and some Southeast Asian markets. However, for golf tourism to truly become a major industry, there must be a long-term strategy for promotion, transport infrastructure connectivity, multilingual human resource training, and destination branding. At present, these activities remain fragmented and lack coordination between localities and businesses. Another aspect that cannot be ignored is the environmental and social impact of golf course development. Land use, irrigation water, and chemicals for turf care have always been controversial topics. In Vietnam, some golf projects have encountered local community opposition related to land and water sources. To develop sustainably, the golf industry needs to apply stricter environmental standards, be transparent in resource use, and have mechanisms to share benefits with local communities. This is not only a requirement of social responsibility but also a condition for maintaining public support and that of regulatory agencies. Regarding state management, the legal framework for golf has been adjusted in a stricter direction, especially in golf course planning and control of land conversion. However, enforcement still has gaps, and coordination among ministries, sectors, and localities is not really smooth. Some projects are implemented slowly due to procedural obstacles, while others are approved without adequate impact assessment. The lack of policy stability creates risks for investors and slows the process of upgrading the quality of the entire industry. Looking ahead, for Vietnamese golf to develop sustainably, a comprehensive approach with multiple pillars is needed. The first pillar is talent development. A national youth tournament system must be built and organized regularly, with clear rankings, connected to regional and international tournaments. Qualified coaches must be trained and attracted, while young talents must be given conditions to train and compete regularly. The second pillar is expanding accessibility. There need to be programs bringing golf into schools as an extracurricular sports activity, developing community driving ranges, and service packages suitable for many income levels. The third pillar is improving operational and service quality through standardization, human resource training, and the application of technology in course management and player experience. The fourth pillar is developing golf tourism in a sustainable direction, linked to environmental protection and sharing community benefits. The fifth pillar is improving institutions and policies, creating a stable and transparent environment for investment and development. It can be seen that Vietnamese golf stands before great opportunities but also faces no small number of challenges. Rapid growth in the number of courses and players is an encouraging signal, but if it is not accompanied by quality upgrading, talent training, and sustainable management, the golf industry may fall into a state of hot growth without depth. The question is not only how to have more golf courses, but how to make golf a sport that society views positively, contributes to the economy, tourism, and national sports, and harmonizes with the environment and community. That is a long road, requiring the joint efforts of the state, businesses, associations, and golfers themselves. In the context that many countries in the region are strongly promoting golf as an important economic sector, Vietnam has advantages in geographical location, landscapes, and relatively competitive costs. But advantages are only a necessary condition. The sufficient condition lies in strategy, implementation quality, and long-term vision. If this opportunity is used well, Vietnamese golf can rise to become a regional golf center, not only attracting international visitors but also producing professional golfers of international stature. Conversely, if development continues in a manner that chases quantity while ignoring the foundation, the golf industry will hardly avoid consequences for the environment, society, and reputation. In short, Vietnamese golf is at an important turning point. Achievements already exist, but challenges remain many. The path of sustainable development requires patience, methodical investment, and a vision aimed not only at glamorous tournaments or beautiful golf courses, but at a golf industry with depth in people, quality, and responsibility. That is what golf lovers and policymakers need to think about and act on together if they want Vietnamese golf to truly become strong in the long term. During development, the role of media and education is also very important. The media need to reflect multiple dimensions, not only praising positive aspects but also highlighting issues that need resolution, helping the public understand the true nature of this sport. Education needs to help the younger generation recognize the value of golf not only in terms of recreation but also in discipline, concentration, and sportsmanship. When golf is seen as a healthy, accessible, and socially beneficial sport, its development will have a more solid foundation. Along with that, building a civilized golf community that respects the rules, respects the course, and respects opponents is also a key factor. A sustainable golf industry cannot rely only on infrastructure and finance; it also relies on the culture of behavior of those who participate. If every golfer is aware of their responsibility, the image of Vietnamese golf will be enhanced in the eyes of international friends, helping to attract investment and tourism. Overall, for Vietnamese golf to develop in proportion to its potential, a comprehensive strategy with the participation of many parties is needed, from regulators to businesses, associations, schools, and communities. Specific steps may include completing golf course planning linked to environmental protection, building a tournament system from grassroots to professional levels, strengthening human resource training, and expanding programs that bring golf closer to the public. Success will not come overnight, but if the right direction is persistently followed, Vietnamese golf can absolutely have a sustainable and proud future. Finally, it should be emphasized that the development of golf should not be viewed separately from the overall context of sports and the Vietnamese economy. A healthy developing golf industry will contribute to improving the physical and mental health of the people, creating jobs, attracting tourism, and promoting the country's image. Conversely, a distorted and poorly controlled golf industry will cause difficult-to-remedy consequences. Which path to choose depends on the awareness and actions of all relevant parties. With existing potential and growing social interest, Vietnamese golf stands before a rare opportunity to shape its future in a positive direction. The important thing is to start from the most basic foundations: people, quality, and responsibility.