A senior official from the Vietnam Golf Association has proposed including golf in the curricula of elementary and middle schools across the country as part of an initiative to develop the game among the Vietnamese youth.

At a seminar on the sustainable development of Vietnam’s golf industry jointly held by Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Saigon) newspaper and the Department of Culture and Sports in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam on Wednesday, Bach Cuong Khang, deputy general secretary of the Vietnam Golf Association, said golf is still unfamiliar to many Vietnamese, particularly children and teenagers.

The number of children playing golf remains modest despite the development of some high-end golf courses, Khang claimed.

He explained that the sport requires high investment while infrastructure remains underdeveloped and many people suppose the sport is reserved for the wealthy, not the young.

Khang suggested developing infrastructure, support policies, public awareness, and golf training to expand interest in golf among the Vietnamese youth. 

According to Khang, golf can help improve students' concentration and patience, which can be applied to other aspects of life.

Citing developed countries like the U.S., South Korea, Thailand, and Japan as examples, he said that golf has the potential to become a popular sport among students and young people.

These nations have established specialized golf training systems for children, enabling early identification and development of young talent.

According to Khang, this approach leads to better athlete training and stronger performances in international competitions.

Nguyen Tuan Thanh, deputy director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Culture and Sports, noted that golf tourists typically spend more than average travelers and often choose their destinations based on the quality of local golf courses.

He stated that attracting investment in golf courses is relatively straightforward, as these facilities not only create jobs but also enhance a destination’s competitiveness.

Golf tourism helps balance seasonal fluctuations in the tourism industry.

Deputy editor-in-chief of Sai Gon Giai Phong Nguyen Ngoc Anh said Vietnam’s comprehensive tourism development plan until 2030 identifies golf as an important tourism product that needs further investment.

Anh referenced expert opinions, suggesting that Vietnam has the potential to become a premier golf destination in Asia. However, the country’s golf offerings remain limited due to the small number of courses.

He also pointed out weak connections between travel companies and golf courses, as well as between golf tourism and other tourism products.

Efforts to promote golf tourism, Anh noted, have been largely ineffective so far.

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