On 15 September at Grand Plaza Hanoi, the Vietnam Golf & Leisure Awards 2026 Announcement and Awards Ceremony was held in a formal setting, attended by representatives of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, the Department of Sports and Physical Training, the Vietnam Golf Association, the judging panel, as well as a large number of golf course and resort representatives, businesses, and industry experts from Vietnam and overseas.

Held alongside the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) industry conference, B2B meetings and golf product showcases, this year’s Awards evolved into a true gathering of the golf industry, bringing together leading golf organisations, businesses and experts from Vietnam, the region and around the world.

The 12th Edition - Continuing the Journey of Honouring Vietnamese Golf

Now in its 12th edition, the Vietnam Golf & Leisure Awards continues its mission to recognise golf courses, destinations, services and brands that have made outstanding contributions to the development of golf and golf tourism in Vietnam.

The 2026 edition was conducted through a combination of public voting, nationwide on-site surveys and evaluations by the judging panel. Covering course quality, landscaping, maintenance, service, caddie standards, dining, environmental practices, resort offerings and the overall golfer experience, the Awards have evolved to reflect more comprehensively the elements that define a high-quality, world-class golf destination in Vietnam.

At this year’s Announcement and Awards Ceremony, 32 Golf categories and 16 Golf Leisure & Services categories were presented. Hoiana Shores Golf Club was named “Best Golf Course in Vietnam 2026” for the second time, while Legend Valley Country Club received the honour of “Best New Golf Course in Vietnam 2026.”

VGL Triple Crown - A New Milestone for the 2026 Awards

One of the standout features of the 12th edition was the introduction of new honours recognising sustained excellence across multiple editions of the Awards.

For the first time, The Bluffs Grand Ho Tram was presented with the Vietnam Golf & Leisure TRIPLE CROWN, a special distinction awarded to a golf course that has been named Best Golf Course in Vietnam on three occasions.

More than recognising achievement in a single year, the new honour celebrates the ability to maintain exceptional quality and a leading position over time, marking a new milestone in the history of the Vietnam Golf & Leisure Awards.

In addition, the Top 10 Golf Courses in Vietnam 2026 once again reflected the diversity of the country’s golf landscape, featuring standout courses from the North through Central Vietnam to the South.

From an Awards Programme to a Golf Industry Hub

What set the 2026 edition apart was the way the Awards became part of a broader industry platform. Alongside the Awards Ceremony, Vietnam Golf & Leisure joined forces with the Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) to organise the Vietnam Golf Industry Conference 2026, under the theme “Tourism – Technology – Turf”, together with B2B Business Matching & Networking and the Golf Industry Display.

If the Awards recognise achievements already established, the Conference brings together knowledge, experience and perspectives on the future, while the B2B activities and Golf Industry Display create broader opportunities for golf courses, operators, businesses, product and service providers, and golf tourism partners from Vietnam and overseas to meet, connect and explore potential collaboration.

Through its 12th edition, the Vietnam Golf & Leisure Awards is clearly broadening its role — evolving from an awards programme into a platform where achievement, knowledge and industry connections come together across Vietnam, the region and the wider global golf community.

Speaking at the event, Pham Tien Van, Head of the Organising Committee of the Vietnam Golf & Leisure Awards 2026, said: “By bringing the Awards together with the Conference, B2B Networking and the exhibition area, the programme has become a more open platform — a place where knowledge is shared, best practices are promoted and new relationships are formed.”

From a tourism perspective, Nguyen Trung Khanh, Chairman of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, highlighted the value of the Awards and emphasised the importance of further promoting golf tourism, strengthening industry linkages, developing professional tournaments, and enhancing the quality of supporting services and resort offerings.

Mr. Peter Walton, Chief Executive of the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO), praised the strong momentum of golf and golf tourism development in Vietnam, while highlighting the potential of a destination-cluster approach. Drawing on IAGTO’s experience, he noted that golf tourism should be developed strategically and tailored to the characteristics of each golf course and destination, helping to optimise capacity, increase revenue and build a stronger foundation for sustainable growth.

One Awards Season, Another Step Forward

After 12 editions, the value of the Vietnam Golf & Leisure Awards extends well beyond the trophies presented during a single gala evening. More importantly, the Awards help identify and promote high standards across the industry, encouraging golf courses and businesses to continue improving the quality of their products, services and overall customer experience.

Vietnam Golf & Leisure would like to extend its sincere appreciation to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism, the Department of Sports and Physical Training, the Vietnam Golf Association, local golf associations, the judging panel, industry experts, partners, sponsors, golf courses, businesses, media organisations and the wider golf community for their support throughout the 2026 edition. Special thanks are also extended to Grand Plaza Hanoi and CV Group for their support as venue partners.

From recognising excellence to connecting new resources and opportunities across the industry, the 12th edition marks the beginning of a new chapter for the Vietnam Golf & Leisure Awards - one in which today’s achievements become the driving force behind even higher standards for Vietnamese golf in the years ahead.

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