Some of the world’s most influential golf personalities have teed off in Central Vietnam to experience the stellar golf, leisure, and cultural offerings that have made the Vietnam Golf Coast one of Asia’s premier sporting destinations. Among the star visitors was Rick Shiels, the world’s number-one golf YouTuber with millions of subscribers. Shiels is a British golf professional who has built a global following through his YouTube channel, where he offers instruction, equipment reviews and entertaining rounds with top players. Another significant recent presence was American professional golfer and media personality Gabi Powel, a long-drive competitor and content creator known for blending athletic power with engaging media presence, who has amassed more than 200,000 followers across social platforms. Shiels and Powel are prominent among a contingent of international golf creators, including Korean golfer Mr. Doha, American content maker Ms. Judy, Singapore-based golfer Becca De Foe, and Australian coach Kerrod Gray. Collectively, their posts and videos are introducing millions of followers to the world-class golf and leisure experiences that define Vietnam’s central coast. Their appearances at Ba Na Hills Golf Club generated global attention, capturing the drama and beauty of the Luke Donald–designed course set amid the forested mountains just outside Danang. Managed by IMG, Ba Na Hills Golf Club has earned multiple World Golf Awards for its design, challenge, and pristine conditioning. The course has become a true bucket-list experience for players from every corner of the globe. Beyond the fairways, Central Vietnam offers a complete lifestyle proposition, from Michelin-accoladed restaurants and white-sand beaches to UNESCO-listed cultural sites including Hoi An Ancient Town and the Imperial City of Hue. Complementing the golf are world-renowned resorts, exceptional spas, and a hospitality scene that rivals any in Asia. “ To welcome internationally recognised golf influencers such as Rick Shiels and Gabi Powel is a proud moment for Ba Na Hills Golf Club and for the Vietnam Golf Coast as a whole,” said Simon Mees, General Manager of Ba Na Hills Golf Club. “Their presence highlights the exceptional quality of our courses and the rich mix of leisure, dining, and cultural experiences that make Central Vietnam one of the world’s most compelling destinations.” With growing direct air links from Asia, Australia, and Europe, and a tourism offering that seamlessly blends sport, heritage, and luxury, Central Vietnam’s profile as a world-class golf destination continues to rise. As these global influencers share their experiences across the world, Ba Na Hills Golf Club and its Vietnam Golf Coast partners stand proudly at the heart of the story, proving that Vietnam has truly arrived on golf’s global stage.

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When Luke Donald led Europe to yet another Ryder Cup victory, the cheers might have echoed loudest in New York’s Bethpage Black. Yet thousands of miles away, in Vietnam’s central highlands, a different kind of celebration stirred — at Ba Na Hills Golf Club, the only golf course personally designed by the English legend. Nestled in the lush foothills of Da Nang, this world-class golf course reflects everything that makes Donald’s approach to golf unique: precision, patience, and strategy. Much like his leadership on the Ryder Cup stage, Donald’s design blends challenge with serenity, creating a course that tests not only your swing but also your thinking. A Course Born from Strategy and Imagination “I’ve always believed golf is a game of strategy,” says Luke Donald. “At Ba Na Hills, the goal was to reward creativity and intelligent play rather than just power.” Opened in collaboration with IMG, the 18-hole championship course winds through mountains, ravines, and lush tropical forest. Each hole was designed to flow naturally with the land, offering breathtaking scenery and a variety of shot options that reward tactical thinking over brute force. Highlights include the stunning par-3 8th hole, framed by dense jungle, and the closing stretch — particularly the island-green 16th and the water-guarded 17th — which provide a dramatic finale as mist drifts over the surrounding hills. A Rising Star on the Vietnam Golf Coast Since its opening, Ba Na Hills Golf Club has become a cornerstone of the Vietnam Golf Coast, a region fast emerging as one of Asia’s most exciting golf destinations. Together with nearby courses such as Montgomerie Links and Laguna Golf Lang Co, it has helped transform Da Nang into a premier golfing hub. “Luke’s design philosophy mirrors his leadership style,” explains Simon Mees, General Manager of Ba Na Hills Golf Club. “It’s thoughtful, composed, and focused on strategy — making every round a masterclass in decision-making.” For golfers, this means every hole feels like an invitation to think — to plan, adjust, and execute. It’s the same mindset that helped Donald craft back-to-back Ryder Cup victories for Team Europe, earning him recognition as one of the greatest captains in modern golf. Why Golfers Love Ba Na Hills Beyond its challenging layout, the course’s natural setting makes it one of the most scenic in Asia. The cool mountain air contrasts sharply with the coastal heat, while views of Vietnam’s lush countryside stretch in every direction. The modern clubhouse, excellent caddie service, and night-golf facilities further enhance the experience, blending international standards with Vietnamese warmth. Luke Donald has described the project as “one of the most satisfying achievements” of his career. “When I see players from all over the world come here, testing themselves and finding joy in the challenge — that’s what golf is all about,” he says. Planning Your Visit Ba Na Hills Golf Club is located just 25 minutes west of Da Nang city, making it easily accessible for those staying in the area or visiting nearby Hoi An. Whether you’re an experienced golfer chasing new challenges or a traveler seeking world-class leisure in nature, this course deserves a place on your Vietnam itinerary. Learn more or book your round directly on the Ba Na Hills Golf Club official website.

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Ba Na Hills Golf Club has continued its recent hot streak by earning commendation as Global Winner in the golf category at the World Luxury Travel Awards held in Athens last month. With its challenging layout designed by triumphant Team Europe Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald, the club is widely regarded as one of the top layouts in Vietnam and Asia. And that reputation was reaffirmed in Greece’s capital when it was recognized as one of the continent’s most exciting golf clubs by World Luxury Travel Awards judges. As well as being singled out at the awards ceremony, Ba Na Hills Golf Club earned prominence in October’s edition of Travel Temptations, a bespoke publication attached to the World Luxury Travel Awards. Gary Dixon, General Manager of Ba Na Hills Golf Club, commented: “It’s always uplifting to be given recognition by a wider audience. Therefore, it’s an honour and a pleasure to be singled out by the World Luxury Travel Awards as one of the best courses in the world.” It’s been a fantastic year for the club, a driving force in the Vietnam Golf Coast (VGC), a freshly rebooted destination marketing organization that links Central Vietnam’s best signature golf layouts. It was named among the top 11 best golf resorts in Asia in a list compiled by Golf.com, one of the world’s leading golf titles. The latest recognition reaffirms Ba Na Hills Golf Club‘s standing as Vietnam‘s most decorated golf destination. This accolade also serves as a testament to the club’s exceptional quality and its ability to deliver a world-class golf experience. Managed by IMG, the club boasts an impressive, fully illuminated 18-hole championship course designed by Donald. Ba Na Hills has garnered numerous awards over the years, and the reasons are evident. Situated at the base of a towering mountain range, just a brief 30-minute drive from the rapidly growing city of Danang in Vietnam, Ba Na Hills Golf Club offers a picturesque parkland-style course. The layout is intricately woven over rolling hills, offering continuous views of a lush landscape accentuated by serene streams and tranquil lakes. “Our primary objective is to continually enhance the experience here,” added Dixon. “By consistently achieving this goal, we anticipate a continuous stream of accolades. These awards are a direct reflection of our team’s unwavering commitment and relentless effort to ensure the satisfaction and lasting delight of our guests, encouraging them to return time and time again.” For more information about Ba Na Hills Golf Club please visit www.banahillsgolf.com

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Two giants of European golf — Sir Nick Faldo, and Luke Donald — have added their voices to the chorus of approval surrounding Central Vietnam’s credentials as a golf destination. “To my mind, Central Vietnam is near the pinnacle of places to play golf in Asia,” said Faldo, whose signature layout at Laguna Golf Lang Co is regarded as one of the best layouts in Asia. “The stunning landscapes of beaches and mountains are endlessly beautiful; the warmness of the people is a joy to encounter and there are wonderful golf courses to suit players of every ability.” When Faldo and Donald express an opinion on golf it pays to take notice. After all, the English pair have decades of experience at the very highest level of the game. They have notched 58 professional wins between them. In Faldo’s case, six of these victories were major titles. Both have starred in multiple Ryder Cup installments, with Donald due to perform a vital captain’s role when the biannual clash between Europe and US golfers takes place in Italy this September. And their zeal for the golf options in Central Vietnam — not to mention an array of off-course attractions ranging from endless beaches, world-renowned cuisine, and luxury resorts — bodes well for the destination as golf travel returns with a vengeance. “The topography of Vietnam is just unbelievable,” said Donald, whose design in the area, Ba Na Hills Golf Club, unfolds over rolling foothills amidst the dramatic peaks that back the coastline in Central Vietnam. “There are courses built around mountains and on sandy soil next to the ocean. The land is hard to match.” The buzz about Central Vietnam’s layouts has grown almost as loud as the motorbike horns that soundtrack daily life in Danang. Layouts such as Laguna Golf Lang Co and Ba Na Hills Golf Club are among Asia’s best courses. Ba Na Hills Golf Club features natural elevation changes, ravines, streams, and spectacular mountain backdrops. At Laguna Golf Lang Co, Faldo’s championship course threads between trees, over rice paddies and streams, through rock features, and alongside the pounding surf. Other highlights for play, meanwhile, include courses designed by luminaries including Greg Norman, Colin Montgomerie, Robert Trent Jones Jr., and Jack Nicklaus. “Asia’s top golf destination is not just recovering following the pandemic: it’s getting even better,” said Gary Dixon, general manager at Ba Na Hills Golf Club, one of the driving forces in the Vietnam Golf Coast (VGC), a freshly rebooted destination marketing organization that links the region’s best signature golf layouts. With high-quality golf combined with incredible beaches and luxury resorts like the award-winning properties at Laguna Lang Co — Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co — Central Vietnam is arguably Vietnam’s hub for golf tourism. It offers a range of attractions, including the heritage sites in history-steeped Hoi An and the Golden Bridge at Sun World Ba Na Hills: a 150-meter-long pedestrian bridge that is one of Asia’s most photographed landmarks. “Central Vietnam is a place you must see and experience to fully take in and appreciate,” added Faldo. “It’s a fantastic destination for tourism with great properties, great climates, and clean air. The outlook for it is amazing.”

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