[INSPECT THE NORTHERN GOLF] Day 4: VAN LANG EMPIRE T&T GOLF CLUB - Greg Norman's Signature in the Land of the Hung Kings  03:26, 14/07/2026

Located approximately 90 minutes from Hanoi, Van Lang Empire T&T Golf Club sits in the ancestral homeland of the Hung Kings, a region long regarded as the cradle of Vietnamese civilization. Set across rolling hills, natural lakes and constantly shifting elevations, the course follows the contours of the land, creating a visually engaging layout that combines strategic diversity with memorable scenery.

Designed by legendary golfer Greg Norman, Van Lang Empire T&T Golf Club is his first mountain-style course in Vietnam. Wide fairways provide golfers with confidence from the tee, yet every hole unfolds into a carefully crafted strategic challenge featuring deep bunkers, multi-tiered greens built into the hillsides, dramatic elevation changes and ever-changing winds. While the green complexes perform well overall, the judging panel noted that slightly faster green speeds would further enhance playing consistency in the future.

What truly distinguishes Van Lang Empire T&T Golf Club is not only its architecture but also the cultural narrative embedded throughout the 18-hole journey. Each hole represents one of the Hung Kings, with its own character and terrain, guiding golfers through a symbolic journey that echoes the history of the ancient Van Lang Kingdom. From the opening hole, which represents the beginning of the nation's story, to the rolling fairways winding through hills and lakes, and finally the 18th hole symbolizing the transition into a new era, the course transforms every round into a journey through Vietnamese heritage told through the language of golf.

According to Oh Sang Jun, a member of the Vietnam Golf & Leisure Awards judging panel, the course successfully blends cultural identity with enjoyable playability. "The course achieves an excellent balance between challenge and accessibility. Golfers of different skill levels can all enjoy the experience, while the cultural elements integrated throughout the layout create a truly distinctive identity."

Beyond its course design, Van Lang Empire T&T Golf Club is steadily developing a comprehensive hospitality ecosystem. The modern clubhouse will feature locker facilities, golfer lounges and Vietnamese-European dining, complemented by a five-star hotel with more than 100 guest rooms overlooking both the golf course and surrounding mountains. A large-scale T&T Golf Academy and an integrated collection of premium amenities are set to further elevate the overall visitor experience.

The judging panel believes that once the clubhouse, hotel and landscape planting are fully completed as planned, Van Lang Empire T&T Golf Club will have all the elements required to become one of Northern Vietnam's premier golf destinations.

Mark Siegel, Founder and CEO of Golfasian and an international judge for the Vietnam Golf & Leisure Awards, praised the club's hospitality: "From the moment we arrived until we boarded the bus to leave, every detail was handled with genuine professionalism and warmth. We were welcomed as though we were longtime members rather than first-time visitors. The team's enthusiasm and pride in showcasing the club made the entire experience truly memorable."

Concluding the fourth day of the judging tour, Van Lang Empire T&T Golf Club left a lasting impression through its combination of contemporary golf architecture, cultural storytelling and long-term development vision. More than simply delivering a strategic championship layout, the course tells the story of Vietnam's origins through every hole, offering a distinctive perspective on the future of golf development in the country.

Take a look back at the highlights from the judging panel's visit to Van Lang Empire T&T Golf Club on July 12, 2026.