54, a global sports and entertainment agency, and the Vietnam Golf Association (VGA) announced a new strategic partnership aimed at co-developing a comprehensive national golf strategy for Vietnam. The collaboration also includes supporting the inaugural Vietnam Golf Course Owners Summit, scheduled for October 31, 2025. This alliance builds on the organizations’ existing support for the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) and the Sports Authority of Vietnam (SAV) to position golf as a key driver of the country's tourism and economic growth.

Vietnam: A Rising Golf Powerhouse

Vietnam's golf industry is experiencing a rapid and significant expansion. According to The R&A's "Global Golf Participation 2024" report, Vietnam saw a staggering 279% increase in registered golfers compared to 2023, one of the sharpest rises in the world. The country also boasts one of the highest percentages of female participation globally, at 26%.

The economic impact of golf is equally impressive. Vietnam Golf Leisure reports that as of 2025, there are over 90 operational 18-hole golf courses, with projections to reach 200 by 2030. Golf tourism generated an estimated $600 million in revenue in 2022 and is forecast to exceed $1 billion by 2025, accounting for 8 to 10 percent of Vietnam's total tourism revenue.

Strategic Vision and Implementation

The partnership will focus on a national strategy that integrates social, economic, and environmental factors to ensure the most efficient and impactful rollout. Key initiatives include:

• Growing Grassroots Participation: Working with educational institutions to foster new golfers and develop a skilled workforce for the industry.
• Leveraging Technology: Engaging new audiences through innovative digital platforms and tools.
• Supporting Elite Player Development: Nurturing local talent to enhance the country's competitive standing in the region and globally.
• Introducing Accessible Golf: Creating entry-level golf experiences in urban and municipal settings to make the sport more widely available.
• Sustainability Blueprint: Establishing a national sustainability blueprint to guide best practices for new and existing courses.
• Unifying the Industry: Optimizing sales channels and unifying stakeholders under a shared "Golf in Vietnam" vision.

"Vietnam is on an unmatched trajectory in terms of growing domestic participation, inbound visitation, and new golf course developments," said Jed Moore, Group CEO of 54. "We are joining forces to supercharge this movement and get behind a new national strategy that will ensure the most efficient and impactful rollout of a national plan".

Vietnam Golf Course Owners Summit

As part of the partnership, 54 and the VGA will support the inaugural Vietnam Golf Course Owners Summit on October 31, 2025, at Laguna Langco, a Nick Faldo Signature design. The Summit will serve as a platform to unite golf course owners and industry stakeholders to grow and promote Vietnam as a premier global golf destination. A VGA representative will join the event's Organizing Committee to play a pivotal role in connecting with Vietnam's tourism and owner networks.

Related: Vietnam Targets US$1 Billion in Golf Tourism Revenue by 2025