This autumn, Laguna Lang Co is inviting travellers to savour the great outdoors with a line-up of land and water-based adventures designed to showcase the natural beauty, biodiversity, and culture of Central Vietnam.

Framed by a three-kilometre beach and backed by the Annamite Mountains, the resort is situated in the Chan May region, overlooking the East Sea – a pristine coastal stretch renowned for its dramatic scenery and rich heritage. With over 100 activities on offer, from heart-thumping rides to tranquil paddles, guests can immerse themselves in the landscapes and lifestyle of Lang Co.

Cyclists can pilot fat bikes along the beach or on designated forest trails

For those drawn to the water, kayak and stand-up paddleboard safaris follow the lower Bu Lu River, passing through mangroves, fishing villages, and buffalo cooling in the shallows. More high-octane options include Jet Ski safaris along boulder-strewn shores and inflatable boat trips into the mangrove forests.

On land, the adventures range from gentle farm and forest walks through rice paddies and nursery gardens, where ducks and buffalo play a role in natural farming, to more demanding hikes that climb to wartime lookout points before descending to the Cu Du Rocks. Cyclists can choose between leisurely 6km rides along packed sands between fishing villages, immersive cultural loops past markets and pagodas, or challenging fat bike trails threading through forest and farmland.

Thrill-seekers can take to the resort’s ATV safaris, following forest and beach trails to panoramic viewpoints, or unwind with gentler pursuits such as tennis, bocce ball, or a mini football match.

The resort’s environs offer plenty of scope for thrilling activities at Laguna Lang Co

“These activities are about much more than just filling your day,” said Gavin Herholdt, Managing Director of Laguna Lang Co. “They connect you with the people, the traditions, and the extraordinary landscapes of Lang Co. Whether you’re paddling through mangroves at sunrise or cycling past rice paddies with the scent of woodsmoke in the air, you’re seeing a side of Vietnam that stays with you long after you’ve returned home.”

Sustainability runs through the programme. Local guides lead most activities, ensuring income flows into the community, while trails and waterways are maintained to minimise environmental impact. Many tours are private, allowing guests to move at their own pace and spend more time in the moments that matter most.

After a day of adventure, guests can return to the comfort of the property’s two award-winning resorts — Banyan Tree Lang Co or Angsana Lang Co — enjoy elevated cuisine at a range of outlets that run the culinary gamut from Vietnam to the Mediterranean via Thailand, Japan, Korea, and other nations, or play a round on the Sir Nick Faldo–designed championship golf course that winds between jungle, rice paddies, and coastal dunes.

“From families and wellness seekers to solo explorers, Laguna Lang Co offers an active gateway to one of Vietnam’s most visually striking regions,” added Herholdt. “Here, where the mountains meet the sea, adventure begins the moment you step outside.”

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Vietnam’s most celebrated integrated resort, is inviting discerning travellers to make the most of summer with exceptional Stay & Play packages that combine championship golf, award-winning accommodation, and exclusive lifestyle experiences in Central Vietnam. At the heart of the offering is the spectacular Sir Nick Faldo Signature course, a championship layout that has consistently ranked among Asia’s best.

Angsana Lang Co strikes the perfect balance between luxury and leisure

Designed to blend with the surrounding landscape of jungle-clad mountains and beachfront, the 18-hole course is both thrilling and scenic, offering a unique test for golfers of all skill levels. With holes that meander through rice paddies, lagoons, and oceanfront dunes, it’s a course that keeps you coming back for more. Guests can choose from two value-packed golf holiday options: a 3-night luxury getaway or an extended 7-night escape—both available at either Angsana Lang Co or Banyan Tree Lang Co.

The 3-night package (from just USD 1325 per package at Angsana, USD 2360 per package at Banyan Tree) includes two rounds of golf, spa treatments, daily breakfast, a set dinner, airport transfers, and access to a wide range of resort activities. The 7-night version (from USD 4427 per package at Angsana, USD 6,825 per package at Banyan Tree) ups the ante with four rounds of golf, five dining experiences, a local discovery tour, and additional indulgences.

Spa treatments are included in the stay and play packages

Guests staying at the all-pool-villa Banyan Tree Lang Co enjoy added exclusives like a dedicated villa host, private in-villa check-in, daily afternoon tea, and thoughtful nightly turndown gifts. Meanwhile, Angsana Lang Co offers the perfect entry point into luxury travel, with stylish rooms, holistic wellness offerings, and family-friendly experiences—all just steps from the beach.

“This is one of the best value luxury golf and lifestyle offerings in Asia,” said Gavin Herholdt, Managing Director of Laguna Lang Co. “Whether you’re a couple seeking a short romantic escape or a group of friends planning the golf trip of a lifetime, our packages deliver on every front—championship sport, world-class service, and unforgettable natural beauty.”

Stay and play guests can up the luxury ante at Banyan Tree Lang Co

“Our unique advantage is integration,” added Herholdt. “Where else can you stay in a luxurious beachfront villa, play on a Faldo-designed championship course, indulge in award-winning spa and dining options, and explore Vietnam’s cultural heartland—all without leaving the resort?”

The packages are available to book now for stays until March 31, 2027. A minimum of two guests is required per package, and bookings are subject to availability and seasonal surcharges.

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London Curates a Hong Kong Art Trail

The Hari Hong Kong has launched a cultural immersion experience that guides guests through the remarkable rota of art adorning its walls and Wan Chai neighbourhood’s exciting art scene. “The Hari Art Trail” is underpinned by a personalised art tour with the hotel’s in-house art ambassador, practicing artist Bibek Rai, who shares anecdotes behind the hotel’s eclectic art collection and contemporary design. Spanning a variety of mediums including installations, mixed media, surreal photographs, graphic paintings, three-dimensional images and digital film pieces, the art is curated by London-based art advisory A Space For Art, which also selects works for sister hotel The Hari London. Following Bibek’s art tour, guests are encouraged to continue the art trail by visiting two of Wan Chai’s hidden gems; 1960s tenement block turned creative hub Foo Tak Building and appointment-only gallery PHD Group.

An Umbrella Village in the Sky

In a salute to Chiang Mai’s Bo Sang Umbrella Village, Meliá Chiang Mai’s signature restaurant Mai Restaurant and Bar and executive The Level Lounge make for a visual marvel. Guests enter the 21st floor under an arch that pays homage to a nearby temple, to be greeted by large lit installations of umbrella ribs clinging to the ceiling and various artworks of umbrella canopies hung on the walls, such as those made from antique Chiang Mai textiles and bamboo frames. Concentric patterns in the likes of gun metal gray, periwinkle and soft amber hues reference umbrella tops in a striking yet subdued way.

250 Oil Paintings Detail Life in Vietnam

Opening doors on Vietnam’s rich culture, talented Vietnamese artists were commissioned by The Anam Mui Ne, which opened in January 2023, to create 250 unique oil paintings for each room and suite, as well as the lobby and hallways. The artists include painters Bui Van Quang, who is renowned for his paintings portraying daily Vietnamese life, and Vu Trong Anh, who’s won acclaim for his modern, abstract interpretations of Vietnamese scenery. Pottery art, such as clay vases and statues, made by the Cham people has been included in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage in need of urgent safeguarding.

The Giant Swing and Kites Galore

Remarkable artwork throughout INNSiDE by Meliá Bangkok Sukhumvit takes guests on an abstract journey across Bangkok by referencing some of the city’s famed attractions. Beside the hotel’s jewel in the crown, an awe-inspiring infinity pool on the 34^th floor, a compelling contemporary interpretation of Bangkok’s Brahman structure The Giant Swing makes for a dramatic photo backdrop. LUZ Bangkok Tapas Bar’s striking angled lines and cabling pay tribute to Rama VIII Bridge. The Kites Eatery’s walls are adorned with kites, depicting the popularity of kite flying at state park Sanam Luang. In addition to striking black and white photography of Bangkok hung on the hotel’s walls, other artistic endeavours include a stairwell between the 31st and 32nd floors that makes for an optical illusion. The Open Living Lounge’s design takes cues from Wat Phra Kaew, with, for example, a golden counter inspired by the temple’s traditional Thai decorations gilded in gold leaf.

Delve Deeply in a Gallery for Wellness

TIA Wellness Resort has painted a new image of a well-rounded, wellbeing approach with the launch of its new art gallery space in May. Building on the tool of creativity as a way to calm the mind and regulate emotions, the new gallery sits alongside TIA’s Creative Space, where daily creativity workshops are hosted. The new gallery space features 32 images. Ten photographs were created by Jeff Courdrec, a French artisan photographer who used an analogue technique for this exclusive collaboration with TIA that delves deeply into its overall wellness philosophy. The abstract art on display reflects the resort’s Zen Splash concept, which is about inspiration, boldness, and creation. These ink images were created by a Hoi An-based calligrapher, Nguyễn Xuân Sinh.

700 Pieces of Art in a Single Setting

Palace Hotel Tokyo, a Forbes Five-Star property overlooking the Imperial Palace gardens, features such a vast art collection that the local gallery that helped install it offers a special tour for guests to introduce some highlights. The more than 700 artworks on display draw inspiration from the hotel’s unique setting, which faces, in one direction, the city’s rich past, with the historic palace grounds. In the other direction, it points toward the future and the vibrant business district of Marunouchi. Many artists who created works here are globally renowned and highly sought after by collectors. The Palace Hotel Tokyo art tour, led by Art Front Gallery, explores major works both in the public areas of the hotel, including the reception lobby, as well as in guest rooms and restaurants, delving into subject, technique, symbolism and more.

Did 13 Emperors Run Out of Luck?

In Vietnam’s former imperial capital, the 122-room Azerai La Residence, Hue is home to an art gallery featuring portraits of all 13 emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty, which ruled Hue from 1802 to 1945. The gallery is believed to be the only place in all of Vietnam where images of all 13 leaders can be viewed in a single location. Hue is steeped in history, and Azerai La Residence, Hue is located just across the Perfume River from many of the area’s most popular historic attractions, including the Citadel and the city’s iconic flagpole.

Apsara in Another Medium

Two of Cambodia’s most iconic luxury heritage hotels – Raffles Hotel Le Royal in Phnom Penh and Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor in Siem Reap – regularly showcase the works of leading Khmer contemporary artists. Raffles Hotel Le Royal recently presented “Sacred Dancers” at the hotel’s Restaurant Le Royal featuring DinArt, one of Cambodia’s most important abstract painters, and Ramya Chuon, who draws inspiration from the country’s legendary Apsara dancers. Raffles Grand Hotel d’Angkor likewise launched a new on-property art series earlier this year featuring a celebrated Khmer painter. The works were displayed in the hotel’s elegant public areas and restaurants. Both exhibitions included partnerships with top local galleries.

Bring the Birds Inside

At Angsana Lang Co, the art isn’t just on the walls — it’s in the trees. The resort’s Birds Sanctuary Photo Gallery is a living exhibition dedicated to the region’s rich birdlife, featuring captivating images contributed by local photographers and nature lovers. Part of the resort’s Stay for Good initiative, the gallery goes beyond aesthetics, doubling as an environmental awareness project that highlights the importance of biodiversity and conservation in Central Vietnam. Open to all visitors, the space invites guests to slow down and engage with nature through photography — and perhaps even add their own work to the collection. For those inspired to look beyond the frame, Angsana also offers guided birdwatching excursions around its lush wetlands and coastline. It’s a resort where art, nature, and guest participation come together beautifully.

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Laguna Golf Lang Co has once again affirmed its status as one of Asia’s premier golf experiences, earning a coveted place in the Top 100 Golf Courses in Asia list. The accolade was announced at the prestigious Asia Golf Awards Ceremony hosted by the Asia Golf Leaders Forum (AGLF) in South Korea.

The scenery that surrounds Laguna Lang Co is some of Vietnam’s finest

The award is the latest in a growing list of international honours for the championship layout, which has consistently drawn acclaim since its opening. The club, set within the larger Laguna Lang Co integrated resort, has been recognised for its outstanding course design, environmental sustainability, and overall guest experience.

“We’re thrilled to be recognised among the top golf courses in Asia,” said Stephen Banks, Director of Golf at Laguna Golf Lang Co. “This award is a reflection of the passion, consistency, and attention to detail that our team puts into maintaining world-class standards both on and off the course. It’s also a tribute to the vision of Sir Nick Faldo, whose design continues to challenge and inspire players from around the world.”

The Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design is wedged between the mountains and the ocean

Designed by six-time Major champion Sir Nick Faldo, the 18-hole championship course is renowned for its strategic layout and breathtaking setting—stretching between jungle-clad mountains and the East Sea, with natural streams, rice paddies, and rock formations all integrated into the playing experience.

Over the years, Laguna Golf Lang Co has earned numerous accolades, including “Vietnam’s Best Golf Resort” at the World Golf Awards, Top 10 Best Golf Resorts in Asia Pacific by Golf Travel Magazine, and multiple certifications for environmental and agronomic excellence. Its innovative “edible golf course” initiative—where rice paddies tended by resident water buffalo are integrated into the course landscape—has also gained global recognition as a model of sustainable golf tourism.

The Asia Top 100 ranking, compiled by leading golf media, professionals, and influencers across the continent, highlights courses that exemplify excellence in design, playability, conditioning, and service.

Banyan Tree’s stunning Seaview Pool villas are among the alluring stay categories at Laguna Lang Co

Beyond the fairways, Laguna Lang Co offers a rich, multifaceted resort experience. Guests can unwind at the award-winning Banyan Tree Spa, dine at a selection of acclaimed restaurants offering Vietnamese and international cuisine, or explore the surrounding region via curated cultural excursions to nearby Hue Imperial City and Bach Ma National Park.

Families are well catered to with activities ranging from archery and water sports to kids’ programmes, while couples and solo travellers will find peace in the resort’s tranquil beaches and lush lagoon setting.

“This destination has become so much more than a golf course,” added Banks. “Laguna Lang Co is about world-class play, but also world-class hospitality, culture, and nature. We’re proud to be part of Vietnam’s rise as one of Asia’s must-visit golf and lifestyle destinations.”

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Laguna Lang Co, a leading integrated resort on Vietnam’s central coast, is welcoming the summer season with irresistible new promotions at its two flagship resorts: the all-villa Banyan Tree Lang Co and the vibrant Angsana Lang Co. Running until August 31, these offers combine luxury, local experiences, and adventure to create unforgettable holidays along the shores of Lang Co Bay.

The “Sense of Summer” package promises an indulgent retreat at Banyan Tree Lang Co. Guests will receive a generous USD 200 daily resort credit per villa, redeemable for gourmet dining, rejuvenating spa treatments, or curated gallery purchases. The package also includes a one-time Paper Lotus making experience, offering a memorable cultural activity for couples or families.

Banyan Tree Lang Co’s villas offer a seductive sense of seclusion

For those drawn to the sea, unlimited access to both motorised and non-motorised water sports ensures endless fun under the sun. Guests staying in the resort’s Beach Pool Villas and higher categories will enjoy complimentary private round-trip airport transfers. At the same time, all visitors benefit from scheduled shuttle services to and from Danang International Airport.

Throughout the summer, the resort also hosts a range of complimentary experiences, from kayaking and archery to traditional basket boat rides along its 950-meter canal, as well as guided birdwatching tours that highlight the area’s natural beauty.

Meanwhile, Angsana Lang Co is offering its summer celebration with the “Summer Holiday” package, ideal for families and active travellers. Guests can enjoy 20% savings on room rates and a one-time 30-minute water scooter ride to add a splash of excitement to their stay.

Bookings of Seaview Junior Pool Suites and above also come with a daily resort credit of USD 50, which can be used at the spa or for dining experiences. Complimentary shuttle services to Danang Airport and daily buffet breakfasts at the Market Place restaurant ensure added convenience and comfort.

Angsana Lang Co is the perfect base for summer family fun

Guests are also invited to take full advantage of the resort’s sports and recreational facilities, as well as a fun-filled calendar of summer activities, including weekly foam parties, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and children’s events like bubble play and slip-and-slide sessions.

“These fantastic promotions at Banyan Tree and Angsana Lang Co are our way of inviting guests to experience the beauty and hospitality of Lang Co Bay,” said Gavin Herholdt, Managing Director of Laguna Lang Co. “Whether you’re seeking a peaceful, luxurious retreat or an action-packed family holiday, our resorts provide the perfect backdrop for unforgettable summer memories.”

With a blend of generous savings, resort credits, cultural encounters, and exciting activities for all ages, these exclusive summer offers at Laguna Lang Co deliver exceptional value. Whether indulging in spa treatments, savouring gourmet cuisine, or embarking on family-friendly adventures, guests can look forward to a holiday that’s as rewarding as it is memorable.

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Montgomerie Links, a cornerstone of the region’s golf scene, has seen a 20% increase in rounds from Australian visitors over the past two years, rising from 1,700 to 2,200 annually. Ba Na Hills Golf Club has experienced even more dramatic growth, with Australian play surging by 35-40%. Notably, many of these golfers visit during the Australian winter—typically a quieter period for foreign visitors in Vietnam—providing a welcome boost to the destination year-round.

Central Vietnam is wowing Australian guests 

Central Vietnam‘s efforts to establish itself as a golf destination of choice for Aussies have been bolstered by a series of high-profile initiatives aimed at the Australian market. Over the past year, the destination has welcomed several leading Australian golf writers, including representatives from Golf Digest Australia, to experience the region’s offerings firsthand.

Driving this momentum, Laguna Golf Lang Co—a signature course designed by Sir Nick Faldo and a founding member of the VGC—made a bold statement by hosting roadshows in Melbourne and Sydney earlier this year. Representing the resort and Central Vietnam on an international stage, the team worked tirelessly to bring together Australian media and tour operators and highlight the exceptional golf experiences at Laguna Lang Co and Central Vietnam.

Stephen Banks, Director of Golf at Laguna Golf Lang Co, underscored the importance of these events in solidifying ties with Australian stakeholders.

Laguna Golf Lang Co has played a leading role in driving Aussie business

“These roadshows demonstrate our commitment to positioning Central Vietnam as a leading golf destination for Australians,” he said. “By fostering connections with key players in the market, we aim to build lasting partnerships and promote sustained tourism growth.”

The roadshows showcased the region’s standout courses, including those designed by Luke Donald (Ba Na Hills Golf Club) and Colin Montgomerie (Montgomerie Links), alongside iconic names like Greg Norman and Robert Trent Jones Jr. Representatives from the Danang Tourism Promotion Centre joined the events, providing insights into the broader appeal of the region, including its luxurious accommodations and vibrant cultural experiences.

Montgomerie Links has witnessed a significant uptick in Australian visitors this year

Le Vo Hoang Van, club manager at Montgomerie Links, attributed the growth to targeted marketing campaigns and the undeniable allure of Central Vietnam. “Australian golfers are drawn to the region’s world-class courses, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality,” she said. “The recent uptick in rounds is a testament to the effectiveness of our outreach efforts.”

Ba Na Hills Golf Club’s general manager, Simon Mees, echoed these sentiments. “The Australian market has been a game-changer for us,” he added. “It’s gratifying to see how well our course resonates with these visitors. The feedback we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re excited to continue building on this momentum.”

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Fire Show, Live Band, Instrumentalists, and Bartenders Flair Show

The Anam Group’s two beachfront resorts in Cam Ranh and Mui Ne will celebrate the most significant time in the Vietnamese calendar, Tet, with a broad spectrum of remarkable dining, entertainment, recreational, and spa experiences. In the lead-up to Tet on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025, The Anam Cam Ranh and The Anam Mui Ne will each stage a ceremony on Jan. 22, 2025 to plant “Cay Neu”, a towering Lunar New Year bamboo pole to ward off evil spirits, followed by dragon dancing. The Anam Cam Ranh’s restaurants Lang Viet and Indochine will host a ‘Vietnamese Traditional Buffet” on Jan 31. accompanied by live traditional instrumentalists and a bartenders flair show and a Seafood BBQ buffet on Feb 1 to a backdrop of live music by the Filipino band and a spectacular fire show.

Vietnamese Afternoon Tea for Two With a Pianist

Family resort Alma will ring in the biggest event on the Vietnamese calendar, the Lunar New Year, with a six-day program filled with traditional games and competitions, live entertainment, floating champagne breakfasts and more. From Lunar New Year’s Eve, Tuesday Jan. 28, until Sunday Feb. 2, 2025, Alma’s Tet program will feature chung cake, egg cake and ginger jam making classes, as well as kite flying, dragon dances, making lucky envelopes, Tet movies at Alma Cinema, and afternoon tea for two. An exquisite Vietnamese Afternoon Tea for two brimming with savoury and sweet treats, including Banh Chung and traditional candies, served at both Alma Food Court and Alma Lounge from 2-5pm. Live entertainment including Alma’s resident pianist Ben playing a grand piano from 2.30-3.15pm and 3.30-4.15pm at Alma Lounge.

Better Together Family Package

The Hari Hong Kong is marking the Lunar New Year with its “Better Together Family Package” replete with children-friendly in room amenities and a host of special touches. Featuring a Corner Room with a king bed with an adjoining Twin Room with twin beds, and daily breakfast for two adults and two children under the age of 12, package also features a “DIY Cookies Set” for children in the room, “The Hari Puzzle Set” with The Hari branded tram, Star Ferry or The Hari mascot to keep the kids entertained, as well as early check-in and late check-out subject to availability.

Fusion of Thai and Chinese Cuisine

 Meliá Chiang Mai’s signature restaurant Mai Restaurant & Bar on the 21st floor will welcome the Lunar New Year with a family-style dining experience accompanied by a selection of Chinese teas and vistas of Chiang Mai. Served from Jan. 27-31, 2025, from 6-10pm and priced at THB 6000 net per table for minimum of four persons, “A Thai-Chinese Celebration” dinner includes a colorful salad with shredded vegetables, pickled ginger, pomelo and fresh salmon, double-boiled whole chicken with dried mushrooms and wolfberries, roasted whole chicken, and steamed whole seabass with warm lemon dressing. Other highlights include tender slow-cooked pork belly in soy sauce, Chinese wine, and spices, a choice of Lotus leaf-wrapped fried rice with Chinese sausage or steamed San Pa Tong Rice, assorted seasonal greens with oyster sauce, and sesame dumplings in ginger broth.

Festive Buffet Brunch and a Vibrant Lion Dance

Raffles Hotel Le Royal, the iconic 96-year-old luxury hotel in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, will help guests ring in the Lunar New Year with a sumptuous buffet brunch featuring an array of Chinese dishes, festive specialties and international favourites. The celebration will be capped by a vibrant lion dance performance to welcome prosperity and good fortune in the Year of the Snake. The buffet brunch is priced at $38++ inclusive of unlimited beers and will be served from 11:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. at Le Phnom 1929, the hotel’s French-style brasserie.

Popular Annual Tet Market Returns

Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi is ready to welcome the Year of the Snake with exclusive Tet celebrations, including the hotel’s popular annual Tet market, along with a special culinary program. Spice Garden, Metropole Hanoi’s authentic Vietnamese restaurant, will usher in an auspicious Lunar New Year with a 5-course set menu featuring traditional delicacies such as spring rolls, chung cake, steamed prawns in coconut, bamboo shoot vermicelli soup and more. The menu will be served from Jan. 20 to Feb. 7 and priced at VND 1,600,000++ per person. Spice Garden has also unveiled festive cocktails highlighting local flavors.

A Song of Dragons and Fire on Koh Samui

Guests at the luxury resort of Banyan Tree Samui might gasp on their morning coffee as the almighty sight and sound of a Lion Dance procession takes over the breakfast buffet from 9am – 9:30. Later, the evening’s entertainment includes live music, a Chinese dance performance and a fire show, starting at 7pm at beachfront restaurant Sands. Diners will also be treated to a Chinese New Year BBQ Buffet (2,988 THB nett per person) at Sands where they can watch the performances under the moonlight. For more information and reservations, go to samui@banyantree.com or tel: +66 077 915 333.

Go Out with a Bang in Da Nang

The central Vietnamese beachfront resort of Fusion Resort & Villas Da Nang celebrates Lunar New Year with a series of activities and performances between January 27th and February 1st. Guests can participate in a traditional Chung Cake cooking class, lion & dragon performances, and explore the cultural significance of calligraphy. The resort will also host a Fusion Night Market, offering unique shopping options and unique dining experiences. For a special culinary treat, guests can indulge in the Tết Set Menu or enjoy a refined Tet Afternoon Tea. Alternatively, the Maia Spa offers soothing treatments and relaxing massages. For more information or reservations, go to: https://fusionresorts.com/danang/

The Snake Meets the Naga in Krabi

Renowned for its Naga staircase and serpentine sculptures, Banyan Tree Krabi rings in the Year of the Snake with an exquisite buffet dinner at The Naga Kitchen restaurant on 28 January when diners can immerse themselves in a culinary showcase featuring an array of authentic Chinese specialties, such as Chinese-Style Steamed Seabass, Chinese Wok-Fried Beef with Baby Bok Choy in Oyster Sauce, and Crispy Fried Soft-Shell Crab with Garlic Chili Salt. The buffet also features Seafood on Ice (oysters, mussels, shrimps and clams), a salad bar, and a Hainanese BBQ station. There’s sure to be music and laughter at this beachfront resort which boasts spectacular sea views. The evening event starts at 6:30 pm and goes through to 10pm with tickets at 2,900 THB per head, inclusive of welcome drink, and half price for children. For reservations and more information, contact +66 075 811 888 or email krabi@banyantree.com

Invite Good Luck and Growth with Wellness Activities in Da Nang

As we slide into the year of the snake, TIA Wellness Resort is inviting guests to consider the traits associated with this animal of the Chinese Zodiac through a number of wellbeing activities. The snake year is defined by seeking balance and harmony, while also embracing opportunities for growth and evolution. On Thursday January 28th the TIA team will host a “Reflection of the Year of the Dragon” creative workshop where guests can reflect on the past year, express gratitude and move forward afresh. That night they have an “Evening Wishing Lantern Ceremony” to welcome the new year in a mindful way. It’s an early start on January 29th with a “Sunrise Beach Gratitude Meditation.” Later in the day guests will be treated to a traditional dragon dance performance to drive away evil spirits and bring good luck. Visitors are also invited to a local pagoda. On the 30th of January the activities continue with a calligraphy wish session and the opportunity to try Tet (lunar new year) sweets and learn more about the local customs. There’s also a special Tet afternoon tea with classic & modern treats.

Vibrant Traditions Meet Luxury Experiences in Lang Co

Celebrate the Year of the Wood Snake in style at Laguna Lang Co, where vibrant traditions meet luxurious experiences. This Lunar New Year, guests can be immersed in a rich tapestry of cultural festivities and family-friendly activities. Highlights include a colourful lion dance performance and the lighting of lanterns to symbolise prosperity and good fortune. Savour a feast of exquisite Tet delicacies at both Banyan Tree and Angsana, featuring traditional dishes crafted by master chefs. Guests can also participate in hands-on workshops, including calligraphy and lantern-making, while kids enjoy themed games and crafts at the Angsana Kids Club. For wellness enthusiasts, rejuvenate with Tet-inspired spa treatments that blend ancient healing techniques with modern comforts.

Beach Action, Stay Packages and More

Dragon dances, family-fun activities and more help guests celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Snake at Azerai Resorts in Vietnam. Azerai Ke Ga Bay, an oceanside property set among verdant gardens located a comfortable 2.5-hour drive from Ho Chi Minh City, offers a host of beachfront action during Tet, along with kids’ cooking classes, lion dance lessons, calligraphy, a special BBQ dinner and more. In central Vietnam, Azerai La Residence, Hue’s Tet package includes a two-night stay in a Superior River View room, daily breakfast for two adults and one child under 12 years old, an exclusive Tet dinner for two people, a special Tet afternoon tea for two, and one-way airport pick-up or drop-off service.

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Sir Nick Faldo was on hand to launch the latest Vietnam Golf Coast leisure draw last month when he helped unveil the revamped 67 Clubhouse Bar at Laguna Golf Lang Co.

Faldo was in Vietnam to host the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, held at the end of April at his Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design at Laguna Lang Co. And the UK golf legend took time out of a busy schedule of events that included golf clinics and awards presentations to relax in the newly refreshed 19th hole.

Premium drinks, luxurious lounge chairs, a pro-standard pool table and grandstand views of the spectacular closing holes on the championship layout are just a few of the perks awaiting golfers and their guests at the sleek watering hole, which benefits from a new menu of British-inspired dishes.

The bar’s name is a reference to Faldo’s final round score of 67, which helped him claw back a six-shot deficit on Greg Norman and clinch the 1996 US Masters, one of his six Majors victories.

“The 19^th hole is an important element at any club and this is a space that anyone would want to linger in,” commented Faldo, who proclaimed himself a particular fan of the blueberry cheesecake.

Indeed, there’s more reason than ever for golfers and their families and friends to savour an indulgent extended stay in Central Vietnam, with Vietnam Golf Coast clubs wowing visitors off-course as well as on with a range of world-class leisure options.

Laguna Lang Co is home to two world class resorts—Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co— in addition to its acclaimed Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design golf course

These range from award-winning luxury hotels, restaurants and spa facilities to some of the nation’s most storied nature and heritage attractions.

At Laguna Lang Co, the golf experience is enhanced by resorts like the award-winning properties Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co, as well as the Laguna Parkside Residences Lang Co that line the 18^th fairway of the course. Both resorts—Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co—benefit from luxurious spa facilities.

Heading south towards Danang and Hoi An, golfers and their families can kick back in style at an array of alluring five-star resorts and hotels from some of the biggest-name brands in the world. There are also plentiful dining and leisure options within easy striking distance of Ba Na Hills Golf Club, and Montgomerie Links, mainstays of the Vietnam Golf Coast destination marketing initiative alongside Laguna Golf Lang Co.

At Montgomerie Links, the Colin Montgomerie-designed course is complemented by its clubhouse restaurant Birdies, which is famed for its dynamic staff, modern interior, and diverse menu. The restaurant offers golfers and other guests a spectacular view over the 18th green and has earned a reputation as one of the top choices in the area for sunset dining and drinks.

Montgomerie Links also offers a free shuttle service to Hoi An so that golfers and guests can experience the beauty of history steeped Hoi An. The UNESCO-listed ancient town is famed for its Japanese merchant houses, Chinese temples, and French colonial buildings, as well as its incredible dining scene.

UNESCO-listed Hoi An is within easy striking distance of Montgomerie Links and other Central Vietnam clubs

A few long-iron shots from Ba Na Hills Golf Club, where Luke Donald’s layout is regarded as one of Vietnam’s very best, is Sun World Ba Na Hills, which is home to the famous Golden Bridge: a 150-metre-long pedestrian bridge that is one of Asia’s most photographed landmarks. Golfers who play Ba Na Hills Golf Club can benefit from special rates on entry to the facility.

“Central Vietnam‘s blend of world-class golf courses and luxurious off-course amenities, including award-winning resorts, fine dining, and rejuvenating spas, creates an unparalleled experience for golfers seeking both excitement and relaxation,” said Le Vo Hoang Van, the club manager at Montgomerie Links.

With high-quality golf combined with incredible beaches and luxury resorts, Central Vietnam is Vietnam’s hub for golf tourism. It offers a range of attractions, including the heritage sites in Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary, the site of Vietnam’s most extensive Cham remains. Other highlights include stunning beaches such as My Khe and Non Nuoc near Danang and An Bang near Hoi An. Offshore, meanwhile, the Cu Lao Cham Biosphere Reserve offers aquamarine seas perfect for diving and snorkelling.

Further enhancing the appeal of the area are events such as the 2024 Hue Festival, which celebrates the rich cultural heritage of the former imperial capital via traditional music and dance performances. Also helping to elevate the destination is the Danang International Fireworks Festival—a two-month-long jamboree encompassing firework performances and cultural celebrations that returns in June.

“Central Vietnam is a destination where golfers can elevate their experience both on and off the course,” said Gary Dixon, general manager at Ba Na Hills Golf Club. “It’s this unique blend that makes it a must-visit destination for golfers across the globe.”

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Vietnam’s junior golf stars will be seeking to ensure recent history repeats itself when the 15^th Faldo Series Asia Grand Final returns to Laguna Lang Co at the end of April.

The final, the culmination of the Asia leg of the world’s most celebrated junior circuits, will see the best young golfers from around the region battle it out over the award-winning Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design at Laguna Golf Lang Co for the crown of Faldo Series Asia champion.

“I could not be more excited to be returning to Central Vietnam for another Faldo Series Asia Grand Final”, said Faldo, who attends Faldo Series Grand Final events and will jet into Vietnam in April 2024. “I expect nothing short of a thrilling showdown. The course always produces a spectacular showcase, and I’m excited to welcome back all the players for what I expect to be a truly memorable occasion.”

Nguyen Anh Minh became the first Vietnamese to emerge as Faldo Series Asia Champion in 2023

The concluding leaderboard at last year’s event had a decidedly local flavour. A final round of 67 saw homegrown hero Nguyen Anh Minh take top honours. Minh made history by becoming the first Vietnamese to emerge as the Faldo Series Asia Champion. He’ll return in April to defend his title. Further back, Vietnamese youngster Le Khanh Hung was tied for third place. Other Vietnamese in the top ten were Nguyen Dang Minh (8th) and Nguyen Duc Son (9th).

The strong showing by young local stars reflects increased domestic engagement with the game. And Minh and his fellow Vietnamese competitors will return to the spotlight at the end of April as they attempt to replicate the successes of last year.

“Support for the junior game in Vietnam and throughout Asia is an integral part of our philosophy. It’s reflected in our long-term status as the home hub for the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final.” said Stephen Banks, Director of Golf at Laguna Lang Co.

“Therefore, it was brilliant to see a Vietnamese Champion and strong performances from other Vietnamese juniors last year. It’s going to be fascinating to see if they can repeat that performance this time around.”

Laguna Golf Lang Co will provide a suitably spectacular setting for the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, held at the end of April

Indeed, Banks — a long-term accredited PGA member — is helping local kids at Loc Vinh school embark on a golf journey by way of fun coaching sessions. Alongside fellow Golf Operations associates, he guides children on golf basics using the SNAG Golf System, which utilizes tennis-style golf balls and targets for fun, effective and fast skills development. The children can then meet Sir Nick Faldo during the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final event at the scheduled group coaching sessions.

“The future of golf in Vietnam is in the hands of the juniors, and we are determined to help their development,” said Banks.

Inaugurated by Sir Nick Faldo after his victory at the 1996 US Masters, the Faldo Series is recognized as the only global amateur series for boys and girls. Competitors from ages 7 to 25 can test themselves against the very best juniors around the world.

The Series has been a proven success as a pathway for players to reach the top levels of the game, with over 70 Faldo Series competitors now playing on professional tours. Notable alumni include Major winners Rory McIlroy, Danny Willet and Yani Tseng, as well as other familiar names including Tyrell Hatton, Joaquin Niemann, Eddie Pepperell, Li Haotong, Mel Reid, Carly Booth, and Nasa Hataoka.

Events such as the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, hosted by Sir Nick Faldo, are sparking interest in golf among Vietnamese youngsters

The global junior series expanded into Asia in 2006, recognising the huge potential on the Asian junior golf circuit. Since then, Laguna Lang Co has played a central role in the initiative as the host venue for the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final: a reflection of its status as a Sir Nick Faldo Signature course, an elite category among Faldo Designs.

The golf course is part of Asia’s most far-reaching integrated resorts, one that also encompasses award-winning hotels Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co. 2024 is a milestone year as the resort ownership company, Singapore-headquartered Banyan Group, marks its 30th anniversary at the pinnacle of Asia’s hospitality industry. The club is also an integral part of the Vietnam Golf Coast, a destination marketing effort linking signature golf courses in Central Vietnam.

The post Vietnamese Stars Aim to Top 2023 Heroics appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Vietnam Golf Coast clubs are targeting another milestone year for Central Vietnam as a hub for golf in Asia following a record-breaking 2023.

“Momentum is with Central Vietnam as a golf destination at the moment and we are confident that energy will be maintained,” said Gary Dixon, general manager at Ba Na Hills Golf Club, one of the driving forces in the Vietnam Golf Coast destination marketing effort and home to a championship layout masterminded by 2023 European Ryder Cup team captain Luke Donald.

Sandwiched between ocean and mountains, the Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design at Laguna Golf Lang Co is one of Asia’s most beautiful courses

The region has emerged as a hub for golf travel in the region thanks to an array of layouts designed by luminaries including European legends Sir Nick Faldo (Laguna Golf Lang Co), Luke Donald (Ba Na Hills Golf Club), and Colin Montgomerie (Montgomerie Links), as well as other huge names like Greg Norman and Robert Trent Jones Jr.

The area’s burgeoning reputation on the global stage was reflected during 2023, a year that saw the total number of rounds played on its courses reach an all-time high. And with forthcoming blue-chip tournaments and events allied to a multifaceted range of draws from luxury resorts, legendary beaches and cultural highlights to world-class infrastructure that includes an ever-expanding list of air links into Danang International Airport, the Vietnam Golf Coast is planning for another massive year.

“Central Vietnam continues to be on an upward curve as a destination for golfers and it is easy to see why,” said Le Vo Hoang Van, club manager at Montgomerie Links where Colin Montgomerie has fashioned old-world design elements into a challenging layout. “Nowhere in Asia can golfers find such a concentration of world-class championship courses within easy reach of an international airport and each other. The area has earned a global reputation for great golf, luxurious resorts, and compelling culture and heritage, and that is only likely to be enhanced by developments in the region throughout 2024.”

Central Vietnam is replete with attractions and sights such as the famous Golden Bridge in the Sun World Ba Na Hills Entertainment Complex

Certainly, the calendar for the coming months is packed with significant events. In April, the Asia Grand Final of the Faldo Series, the culmination of the Asia leg of the world’s most celebrated circuits for junior golfers, will return to its home hub, the award-winning Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design at Laguna Golf Lang Co. Other tournament highlights include the 2024 World Lefthanded Golf Championship, which will also take place in April.

Central Vietnam‘s appeal is further enhanced by its world-class infrastructure which includes Danang International Airport, which links Danang with destinations within Vietnam and directly with cities such as Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo and Singapore. New routes for 2024 include direct connections linking the region with India and Manila in The Philippines.

Banner events are also helping to elevate the destination. These include the Danang International Fireworks Festival—a two-month-long jamboree encompassing firework performances and cultural celebrations. Also significant is Hue Festival 2024, with music, theatre, art and other creative events reflecting the rich culture and history of the region.

Nestled in the mountains near Danang, Ba Na Hills Golf Club offers challenging holes and spectacular scenery in equal measure

Representatives from Vietnam Golf Coast clubs will be travelling to Abu Dhabi next month for the 10th Asian Golf Tourism Convention. Their mission in the Middle East will be to meet with old and new friends alike to continue spreading the word about Central Vietnam’s incredible potential as a golf destination.

“We want to trumpet the region’s success and its potential as an all-round destination with wide appeal for golfers and their families,” said Stephen Banks, director of golf at Laguna Golf Lang Co. “And we also want to publicize the fact that there’s plenty of available tee-times on our golf courses despite it having been a record-breaking busy period for the clubs.”

The post Vietnam Golf Coast Clubs: Another Milestone Year appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Laguna Golf Lang Co is going back to school to boost engagement with golf among local juniors in the run-up to this year’s Faldo Series Asia Grand Final.

Coaches will engage kids using the SNAG Golf System, which utilizes tennis-style golf balls and targets for fun, effective and fast skills development

Established by European legend Sir Nick Faldo, The Faldo Series has long been regarded as one of the world’s most celebrated circuits for junior golfers. Notable alumni include Major winners Rory McIlroy, Danny Willet and Yani Tseng, as well as other familiar names including Tyrell Hatton, Joaquin Niemann, Eddie Pepperell, Li Haotong, Mel Reid, Carly Booth, and Nasa Hataoka.

Laguna Golf Lang Co, the home hub for the Faldo Series in Asia, is staying true to the founding principles of the series by having its expert coaches nurture interest among Vietnamese kids from communities near the club in the months preceding this year’s Grand Final, which will be held over the Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design in April.

Stephen Banks, Director of Golf at Laguna Golf Lang Co, and a long-term accredited British PGA member, will be visiting local schools in the company of coach Dang Anh to educate kids about the Royal and Ancient game. They’ll guide children on golf basics using the SNAG Golf System, which utilizes tennis-style golf balls and targets for fun, effective and fast skills development. This introduction to the game will be followed by free coaching sessions at Laguna Golf Lang Co for those who are interested.

Coaches will engage kids using the SNAG Golf System, which utilizes tennis-style golf balls and targets for fun, effective and fast skills development

“The future of golf in Vietnam is in the hands of the juniors, and we are determined to be at the vanguard of efforts to help their development,” said Banks.

Indeed, efforts to increase domestic engagement with the game are paying off. Last year’s Faldo Series Asia Grand Final leaderboard for the event had a decidedly local flavour. A final round of 67 saw homegrown hero Nguyen Anh Minh take top honours. Minh made history by becoming the first Vietnamese to emerge as the Faldo Series Asia Champion.

Further back, Vietnamese youngster Le Khanh Hung was tied for third place. Other Vietnamese in the top ten were Nguyen Dang Minh (8th) and Nguyen Duc Son (9th).

“The outlook for golf in Vietnam is exceptionally promising, something that was showcased by the leaderboard at last year’s Faldo Series Asia Grand Final,” added Banks. “Our continued role as the host venue for the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final underscores our commitment to fostering junior golf in Vietnam and across Asia.”

Laguna Golf Lang Co will provide a fitting stage when Asia’s best junior golfers battle it out for honours at the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final in April

This year’s Faldo Series Asia Grand Final, the culmination of the series, will see the best junior golfers from over 22 Asian countries battle it out over the stunning course at Laguna Golf Lang Co for the crown of champion.

Inaugurated by Sir Nick Faldo after his victory at the 1996 US Masters, the Faldo Series is recognized as the only global amateur series for boys and girls. Competitors from ages 12 to 21 can test themselves against the very best juniors around the world.

Laguna Golf Lang Co is a fitting location for the grand finale of the prestigious circuit. A linchpin of the Vietnam Golf Coast (VGC), a freshly rebooted destination marketing initiative that links Central Vietnam’s best clubs, the layout is one of several courses turning heads in Central Vietnam. Other highlights include Ba Na Hills Golf Club, laid out by British Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald over rolling foothills, Montgomerie Links, designed by UK legend Colin Montgomerie, and Hoiana Shores, which was designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr.

The post Laguna Golf Lang Co Goes Back to School appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Vietnam Golf Coast (VGC) linchpins Laguna Golf Lang Co and Ba Na Hills Golf Club scored a double boost for Central Vietnam’s status as a golfing hub this week after being named among the top 11 best golf resorts in Asia.

Sandwiched between jungle-clad hills and the ocean, Laguna Golf Lang Co offers plentiful variety among its holes

The two clubs were among the superstars at the top of the leaderboard in a list compiled by golf.com, one of the world’s leading golf titles, that also encompassed top golf destinations in Korea, China, Thailand and Indonesia. Not only were the two clubs ranked among the cream of the region’s golf resorts, but their inclusion in the Asia list also guaranteed them spots in the overall Top 100 Golf Resorts in the World standings.

The Vietnam Golf Coast (VGC) — a freshly rebooted destination marketing organization that links Central Vietnam’s best signature golf layouts — has enjoyed a red-letter year as golf travel to the region rebounds with interest following the pandemic. And the latest honour offers yet more wider recognition of how the destination is marrying world-class golf with vibrant cities, incredible beaches, and accommodations as well as an enviable infrastructure.

The residential component at Laguna Lang Co encompasses some of Vietnam’s most spectacular accommodations

“Having two Top 100 Resorts in one golf destination is a true testament to the caliber of golf in Central Vietnam,” said Adam Calver, Director of Golf and Marketing at Laguna Lang Co, where a Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design golf course is complemented by award-winning accommodations Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co “And with numerous other great courses in this region as well as Laguna Golf Lang Co and Ba Na Hills, it’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the quality of golf offerings in the Vietnam Golf Coast.”

The buzz about Central Vietnam’s amazing layouts has been steadily growing over the past few years. Layouts such as Laguna Golf Lang Co, a Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design, and Ba Na Hills Golf Club, laid out by Team Europe Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald over rolling foothills, are ranked among Asia’s best courses. Other highlights, meanwhile, include courses designed by luminaries including Greg Norman, Colin Montgomerie, Robert Trent Jones Jr., and Jack Nicklaus.

The Luke Donald course at Ba Na Hills Golf Club is a masterpiece in the mountains near Danang

According to golf.com writers Ba Na Hills Golf Club “feels like a place apart, with a tranquil atmosphere that stands in quiet contrast to the bustle of Danang.” Writers praised the variety of landscapes incorporated by Sir Nick Faldo into his Signature Design at Laguna Lang Co. The course is sandwiched between the ocean and jungle-clad mountains, offering golfers a range of challenges. “You’ll walk away from Laguna Golf Lang Co and realize it’s unlike any course you’ve ever played — perhaps the best compliment a golf course can receive,” reported golf.com.

“This is a fantastic honour for Ba Na Hills Golf Club and for Central Vietnam as a destination,” said Gary Dixon, general manager at Ba Na Hills Golf Club. “With world-class courses complemented by incredible accommodations, it has evolved into a truly complete golf destination. What’s more, with numerous new courses set to come online over the next few years we expect a few more VGC resorts on that list by the end of the decade.”

The post Vietnam Golf Coast Clubs in World’s Top 100 Golf Resorts appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Central Vietnam is proving its mettle as a perfect stage for the big golf occasions as it continues to roll out the red carpet for a series of banner events and tournaments. Next up in a packed 2023 calendar is the second Asian Golf Industry Federation (AGIF) Danang Conference in late August when the region welcomes key stakeholders from the golf industry.

Sustainable golf course stewardship, the focus of the AGIF Danang Conference, is a priority at Central Vietnam clubs like Laguna Golf Lang Co

Embracing the theme of Development, Growth and Opportunity the conference will present Golf Tourism, development and golf course design strategies with an overriding sustainability focus for the rapid growth of the game in Asia, the conference will form part of a week-long golfing festival in Danang that will also see one of the area’s top clubs play host to a 54-hole event on the Asian Development Tour (ADT), the Asian Tour’s feeder circuit.

“Golf tourism is surging once again in Vietnam. The rate of recovery in 2023 is staggering and the Da Nang region is Asia’s destination of choice for exceptional golf experiences” said Adam Calver, Director of Golf & Destination Marketing at Laguna Lăng Cô, one of the driving forces in the VGC, a freshly rebooted destination marketing organization that links the region’s best signature golf layouts.

Danang’s excellent infrastructure and wealth of international air links has made it a top destination of choice in Asia for big events

“Golfing tourists from around the globe are becoming increasingly aware that the country in general and Danang in particular, have all the ingredients of the world’s finest golf tourism destinations.” It has been a bumper year for the region — rated by many as one of Asia’s most appealing golf destinations — as international travel rebounds following the pandemic.

The area’s array of championship golf courses, which includes the likes of Laguna Golf Lang Co a Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design and Ba Na Hills Golf Club, laid out by current Team Europe Ryder Cup skipper Luke Donald, have reported record visitor numbers during 2023. And the region’s golfing renaissance is also reflected in the succession of major events and tournaments taking place over the course of this year.

Laguna Lang Co Golf Club Vietnam

The Faldo Series Asia Grand Final — the only global amateur series for boys and girls — hosted by Sir Nick Faldo himself on his Signature designed course at Laguna Lang Co in April, with homegrown hero Nguyen Anh Minh becoming the first Vietnamese to emerge as the Faldo Series Asia Champion. Minh will be prominent among the competitors during the forthcoming ADT event in Danang, with his Faldo Series Asia victory providing him with a springboard to a shot at membership on the Asian Tour.

The Faldo Series, which has nurtured major winners including Rory McIlroy, Danny Willet, and Yani Tseng, has named Laguna Lang Co as its home hub in Asia until 2026.

Other big events and tournaments taking place at Laguna Golf Lang Co this year include the Lexus Cup returning for the second time, and the 6^th Cobra Puma Charity Pro Am in September. Ba Na Hills Golf Club, meanwhile, plays host to the annual IMG Trophy Tournament, organized by the global sports management company, which oversees the management of the Danang club.

“The staging of all these fantastic events is helping to underline Danang’s growing tourism reputation as it bids to become the number one golfing destination in Asia,” said Gary Dixon, general manager at Ba Na Hills Golf Club.

The post Central Vietnam Rolls Out Red Carpet for Banner Occasions appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Vietnam Golf Coast (VGC) clubs are showcasing the broad appeal of Central Vietnam via a range of stay/play options.

Layouts such as Laguna Golf Lăng Cô, a Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design, and Ba Na Hills Golf Club, laid out by British current Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald over rolling foothills, are ranked among Asia’s top courses. Other highlights for play, meanwhile, include courses designed by luminaries including Greg Norman, Colin Montgomerie, Robert Trent Jones Jr., and Jack Nicklaus. And bolstering their appeal to golfers and non-golfers alike are accommodations that are up there with the best Vietnam has to offer.

“Central Vietnam’s emergence as one of the finest golf destinations in Asia is attributable to several factors,” says Adam Calver, Director of Golf & Destination Marketing at Laguna Lăng Cô, one of the driving forces in the VGC, a freshly rebooted destination marketing organization that links the region’s best signature golf layouts.

“Not only do we have a concentrated collection of championship courses to rival any. But the area is also blessed with fantastic accommodation options to suit varying budgets and requirements.”

The residential component at Laguna Lang Co encompasses some of Vietnam’s most spectacular accommodations

At Laguna Lăng Cô, the Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design at Laguna Golf Lăng Cô is enhanced by resorts like the award-winning properties Banyan Tree Lăng Cô and Angsana Lăng Cô, as well as the Laguna Parkside Residences Lăng Cô that line the 18^th fairway of the course.

The latter residences are the accommodation component in a special “Dream Golf Vacation” package that offers generous discounts for a stay/play combination.

Heading south over the Hai Van pass from Lăng Cô, golfers and their families can kick back in style at an array of alluring resorts and hotels in and around Danang.

A few lusty long-iron shots from Ba Na Hills Golf Club is Mercure French Village Ba Na Hills. A centrepiece of the Sun World Ba Na Hills complex, the property offers a cool retreat in the hills as well as easy access to the Luke Donald layout.

Other options within easy reach of Ba Na Hills Golf Club include the beachside Premier Village Danang, with its ultra-modern villas offering a home away from home while in the area.

In Danang itself, the Novotel Danang Premier Hotel is situated right on the iconic Han River in the centre of the city.

Golden Bridge at Sun World Ba Na Hills is a 150-metre-long pedestrian bridge that is one of Asia’s most photographed landmarks

Lovers of secluded luxury, meanwhile, can opt for the stunning Intercontinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, designed by acclaimed resort starchitect Bill Bensley and tucked away on the Son Tra Peninsula.

With high-quality golf combined with incredible beaches and luxury resorts, Central Vietnam is 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-metre-long pedestrian bridge that is one of Asia’s most photographed landmarks.

“We’ve got every type of golfer covered with our range of stay/play combinations,” said Gary Dixon, general manager at Ba Na Hills Golf Club. “With luxury and family-friendly resorts complementing the area’s courses and off-course attractions, Central Vietnam is a truly world-class golf hub.”

The post Central Vietnam offers visiting golfers a stay/play bonanza appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

Vietnam Golf Coast (VGC), a freshly rebooted destination marketing initiative that links Central Vietnam’s best clubs, is boosting the next generation of Vietnamese stars via world-class events and grassroots initiatives.

With an array of championship layouts designed by the likes of Sir Nick Faldo, Luke Donald, Greg Norman, and Robert Trent Jones Jr, the region has emerged as one of the world’s most exciting destinations for golf.

And it flourished in the spotlight at the end of April as the Faldo Series Asia —one of the world’s most celebrated junior circuits—returned to Laguna Golf Lang Co.

Nguyen Anh Minh made history by becoming the first Vietnamese to emerge as the Faldo Series Asia champion

The final leaderboard for the event had a decidedly local flavor. A final round of 67 saw homegrown hero Nguyen Anh Minh take top honors at the event. Minh (16) made . ‘ history by becoming the first Vietnamese to emerge as the Faldo Series Asia Champion.

Further back, Vietnamese youngster Le Khanh Hung was tied for third place. Other Vietnamese in the top ten were Nguyen Dang Minh (8th) and Nguyen Duc Son (9th).

The strong showing by young local stars reflects increased domestic engagement with the game. And with events like the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final providing a stage for Vietnamese starlets along with the best Asian juniors, the VGC is offering significant guidance for the stars of tomorrow.

“Our long-term status as the home hub for the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final reflects our support for the junior game in Vietnam and throughout Asia,” said Adam Calver Director of Golf and Destination Marketing at Laguna Lang Co, one of the driving forces in the VGC. “Therefore, it’s fantastic to see a Vietnamese Champion and strong performances from other Vietnamese juniors claiming four of the top 10 spots. The future for golf  in Vietnam is looking very bright.”

Events such as the Faldo Series Asia Grand Final demonstrate Central Vietnam’s potential as a tournament destination

The Faldo Series, which has nurtured major winners including Rory McIlroy, Danny Willet, and Yani Tseng, has named Laguna Lang Co as its home hub in Asia until 2026. And VGC clubs are doubling down on their commitment to supporting the junior game via initiatives including discounted green fees and youth coaching programs.

“How do we find the stars of the future? Let them play!” said Gary Dixon, general manager at Ba Na Hills Golf Club. “The future of golf in Vietnam is in the hands of the juniors, and we are determined to be at the vanguard of efforts to help their development.”

Indeed, with incredible courses and family-friendly lifestyle attributes including beaches and luxury resorts like the InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort, the award-winning properties at Laguna Lang Co — Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co — and an array of other world-class hotel brands, Central Vietnam is a perfect base for Vietnamese and other juniors who want to hone their skills.

Clubs like Laguna Golf Lang Co are supporting the junior game via initiatives including discounted green fees and youth coaching programs

Layouts such as Laguna Golf Lang Co, a Sir Nick Faldo Signature Design, and Ba Na Hills Golf Club, laid out by British former Ryder Cup star Luke Donald over rolling foothills, are ranked among Asia’s best courses. Other highlights, meanwhile, include courses designed by luminaries including Greg Norman, Colin Montgomerie, Robert Trent Jones Jr., and Jack Nicklaus.

“Central Vietnam has an unparalleled cluster of international standard clubs within easy reach of each other,” added Dixon. “It’s the perfect base for juniors who want to develop to the very highest level.”

The post Golf Coast Nurtures Vietnamese Golfers appeared first on Asian Itinerary.

To Plant, to Raise and to Understand on Phuket

Trisara, an exclusive hideaway in Phuket’s unspoiled northwestern corner, is notable among resorts in Thailand for its sustainability philosophy. And this ethos is to the fore in its Michelin-garlanded F&B that encompasses PRU—the only Michelin-starred restaurant on Phuket—and Jampa, a zero-waste venue leading the charge for sustainable dining on the island. Locavore inclinations reach a delicious crescendo at Pru. The venue’s name – an acronym for Plant. Raise. Understand. – provides a solid clue as to its overriding creed. Jampa, meanwhile, takes Trisara’s “Dine Good, Do Good” motto to a logical conclusion with its zero-waste cuisine. The beating heart of this philosophy is Pru Jampa, Trisara’s 16,000-square-metre farm. The treasure trove of a garden is a culinary playground bursting with aromas and flavours to be utilised by award winning chefs Jimmy Ophorst (Pru) and Rick Dingen (Jampa). Here chickens are raised for their eggs, fish is farmed sustainably, and myriad fruits, vegetables, flowers, and herbs are cultivated. All together, along with rotating their crops, this creates a sustainable ecosystem to nourish the land and to support the local economy.

‘360° Cuisine’ Program to Shrink Carbon Footprint

Meliá Chiang Mai is embracing sustainability and promoting healthy eating with its ‘360° Cuisine’ concept, under which executive chef Suksant Chutinthratip (Billy) crafts dishes that include produce from the hotel’s organic farm and use every part of each ingredient possible before leftovers are returned to the farm as compost. Meliá Chiang Mai has partnered with ORI9IN The Gourmet Farm, a 350-acre gourmet organic farm located in nearby San Sai District, to grow an array of fruits, vegetables and herbs on a two-acre plot on the broader ORI9IN property for its restaurants, bars and spa. “Our ‘farm to plate’ efforts, sourcing organic produce that travels only a short distance to our hotel and using every part of each ingredient we can – roots, leaves, stems, stalks and more – come full circle with ‘plate to farm’, whereby we return food waste back to the farm as fertilizer in a truly 360° concept,” Billy said. Through the partnership with ORI9IN, local farmers assist the hotel with import substitution, growing various kinds of tomatoes, salad leaves, and specialised ingredients such as padrón pepper, that would otherwise need to be imported from Spain for the hotel’s authentic Mediterranean cuisine. The hotel’s kitchen works closely with local farmers to help them improve sustainability and encourage ethical production, in a bid to make communities and the overall food system more resilient. 

Cam Ranh Resort Grows Its Own Food at New Onsite Farm

In an effort to realize more self-sufficiency and sustainability at Alma Resort, landscape manager Ngo Duc Thinh and his team have transformed parts of the 30-hectare resort into a 1000sqm nursery garden, a 260sqm chicken farm and a 180sqm herb garden. The nursery garden is teeming with bananas, coconuts, papaya, squash, passionfruit, sunflowers, daisies and more. The adjacent chicken farm is home to a growing brood of hens, roosters and chicks. Outside beachfront restaurant Atlantis, the herb garden brims with mustard leaves, morning glory, red and green chili peppers, Vietnamese basil, lettuce, green onions, white radish, bok choy, tomatoes and more. All the farm’s produce is directed to the resort’s restaurants. Bananas, coconuts and eggs are served during breakfast. Lettuce and mustard leaves are included in salads and coconuts are provided as drinks at Atlantis. Italian restaurant La Casa’s traditional caprese salad features tomatoes from the herb garden with locally produced mozzarella cheese.

Onsite Farm’s Produce Feeds Resort’s Guests and Staff

The Anam Cam Ranh has dedicated 8500sqm of its 12 beachfront hectares to an array of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and chicken and duck eggs for meals for guests and staff. The resort’s chefs incorporate ingredients from the resort’s farm such as morning glory, malabar spinach, corn, mustard green, and wild betel leaves in meals served to guests at Lang Viet Restaurant & Bar as well as at the staff kitchen. The farm’s variety of vegetables also include lettuce, cucumber, green onion, and cassava root. Custard apple, papaya, banana, mango, cac fruit and bitter melon are among the farm’s fruits. Herbs grown include basil, coriander, thyme, mint, imperata cylindrica, and plantago asiatica. In addition to ducks and chickens, the farm also features geese, rabbits, goats, guinea fowls, turkeys and peacocks. Children are welcome to visit the farm as part of a supervised program to learn more about sustainable farming.

Buffalo Manage the Margins at a Mid-Coast Golf Course

Located in a part of Vietnam renowned for its pristine nature, Laguna Lang Co prides itself on having a strong focus on sustainability. And part of this drive is an extensive organic farm which utilises worm farming as the source of nutrition. The farm provides fresh produce for the F&B outlets at award winning resorts Banyan Tree Lang Co and Angsana Lang Co. It is supported by a range of other agricultural initiatives: not least Laguna Lang Co’s famous bovine greenkeepers. Water buffaloes help to manage the seven-hectares of rice fields located right in the middle of the Sir Nick Faldo Signature course by eating excess weeds and crops in the area that would otherwise require machinery and manpower to maintain. Not only do the animals provide a vital service in tending to the paddies, they supply an additional appealing optic to one of the most eye-catching sections of a golf course that is already strong on visual manna. The rice-fields, though, are not just for show. Harvested twice a year, they yield up to 20 tons of rice that are used to support the organic farm at Laguna Lang Co and donated to families and seniors in the area.

Willow’s Garden Grows from Strength to Strength

What began as a spice garden in response to a shortage of vegetables during an ongoing COVID-19 lockdown has blossomed into a self-sustainable half-acre space dubbed ‘Willow’s Garden’ on Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort’s grounds. The team at the beachfront resort on Vietnam’s southern coastline started the project in 2021, planting a few fast-growing vegetables and spices for use in lunches at the staff canteen in a bid to be more self-sufficient during the pandemic. The 1700sqm that surrounds a 300sqm lake harbors an array of fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers, such as grapefruit, pomegranate, cucumber, eggplant, ginger, coriander, and sunflowers, all free from chemicals and additives. The resort expects to develop a specialised menu embracing a plant-to-plate philosophy in its restaurants, and a program giving guests the chance to cultivate their own mini-garden at home by learning the fruitful tips and tricks deployed by staff. Guests will also be encouraged to rummage through the garden to pick ingredients such as fresh herbs to use when crafting their own dishes before indulging them as part of Muoi restaurant’s “Cook & Dine” cooking class. The resort will also roll out fun, free gardening activities for guests such as painting pots, flower puzzling, leaf crafts, and making herb-infused essential oils.

A Huge Hands-on Resort Farm Kids Love Along Vietnam’s coast

Fusion Resort Cam Ranh, on Vietnam’s south central coast, boasts one of the largest resort farms in Vietnam – with more than 250 animals, a mango orchard, and a herb & vegetable garden of more than 3,000 square meters producing over 40 kg of fresh organic vegetables daily. The resort established the Fusion Farm school in 2020 where they teach classes daily, on a complimentary basis, to guests and employees’ children on how to care for animals and grow vegetables. Children also enjoy collecting their own eggs for breakfast. All of their wet raw food waste is used to feed the animals, resulting in zero removal of waste from the property.

A Picturesque and Practical Design Helps Feed Locals and Guests in Mai Chau

The mountainside property, Avana Retreat Mai Chau, embraces its local roots – literally. The team recently launched their own natural, pesticide-free garden, where they grow a vast selection of herbs and vegetables that appear on guests’ plates. From chayote to coriander many typical Vietnamese flavors can be found in the new vegetable patch. Also on site is a free-range chicken farm where around 500 chickens enjoy a spacious home, while supplying the kitchen with an abundance of eggs. And while the picturesque terraced rice fields that cascade throughout the property are a stunning design element, they’re also working rice paddies tended to by the local community.

A Bali Resort Farm is Abuzz

Melia Bali, an oceanfront property situated along the pristine coastline of Nusa Dua in Bali, has been abuzz in recent months with the addition of bee hives to its impressive 1,000 sqm organic garden. The beekeeping initiative was introduced to support pollination, biodiversity, and a healthy ecosystem, within the garden, and also on a more broader scale. A range of vegetables, spices, herbs, fruit and a mini paddy field can also be found in the Chef’s Garden of this tropical island.

A Vegetable Garden Experience With a Passionate Chef in Bali

While most of the produce at Tanah Gajah, a Resort by Hadiprana, comes from a thriving vegetable garden, elements on each plate aren’t restricted to what can be found in the produce patch. Chef Dean, the head chef at the property who is behind this vast organic garden, likes to make the most of what can also be found throughout the lush grounds of the property, collecting herbs and spices such as the bark from cinnamon trees on-site. Tarragon, garlic chives, oregano, marjoram, lemon balm, cinnamon basil, Vietnamese coriander, turmeric, and vegetables from okra to eggplants, along with fruits ranging from limes to durian, are just some of what is grown at the property and a tour with the chef of his abundant yield is a must-do for passionate foodies.

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