My golfing adventures in Vietnam

As we look back and reflect on what we have achieved, done or failed to do, may you find the strength to let go, carry on with your head held high and embrace the new year as you welcome 2012 with your loved ones...

Winston wrote:

On the third day, played at Ocean Dunes GOlf Club. Designed by Nick Faldo and located in Phan Thiet Also. BElow is their signature hole. Hole 9 Par 3.

Elevated Green. over hit and you end up in the seaside. To short and the ball rolls back to you.

Bro Winston, this course Ocean Dunes Golf re beautiful n designed by great pro, Nick Faldo.
Always wanna explore Viet golf courses n here we hve gd info. How I wish this GR forum hve kakis!!

Bro Winston, I still loooovveeee your signature!!!!

hkhamateur wrote:

Winston wrote:

On the third day, played at Ocean Dunes GOlf Club. Designed by Nick Faldo and located in Phan Thiet Also. BElow is their signature hole. Hole 9 Par 3.

Elevated Green. over hit and you end up in the seaside. To short and the ball rolls back to you.

Bro Winston, this course Ocean Dunes Golf re beautiful n designed by great pro, Nick Faldo.
Always wanna explore Viet golf courses n here we hve gd info. How I wish this GR forum hve kakis!!

Bro,

I'm in if there is any arrangment.......Happy New Yr.

Bro golf_new_comer, glad to knw there's one interest liao! Wil keep in mind n hopefully if new grp formed later, we cld meet up bro Winston over in Viet shld our exploration cme true!

sure. just let me know in advance. tks

hkhamateur wrote:

Bro Winston, this course Ocean Dunes Golf re beautiful n designed by great pro, Nick Faldo.
Always wanna explore Viet golf courses n here we hve gd info. How I wish this GR forum hve kakis!!

THis course is located in a sea side town about 4 hours drive away from HCMC. HOnestly jsut to drive there and play is not worth it. There are currently 4 courses in HCMC. all within an hours drive away from the city.

Wishing eveyone a very very happy year of the Dragon, may you have good health, many many happiness and good fortune always!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Winston,

Wishing you and your family A Happy Chinese New Year too. By the way, I have "coffee" for you this time in coming HCM trip Feb 2. I hope we can have a round of golf on Feb 3rd if you are available.

If not, it is okay. I still can pass the coffee to you somehow when I am in HCM.

Hi all,

I will be in HCM on Feb and would like to play a round or two golf on Feb 3rd (Fri). Is anybody there in HCM at the same time and would like to join me ?

The only thing that I am worried about is security in Vietnam.

From my experience.. really really bad..
cannot describe.. I will call it dangerous to even walk on the street..
people being rob in broad daylight on main open street.. etc..

If security can be improved there, I will definitely visit again..
Vietnam is a beautiful country.. I love Halong Bay..
When cruising thru it.. no words can describe.. just beautiful..

Tip:
Join tour or cruise..
don't wander around by yourself DIY.. you are only looking for trouble..

Lisy wrote:

The only thing that I am worried about is security in Vietnam.

From my experience.. really really bad..
cannot describe.. I will call it dangerous to even walk on the street..
people being rob in broad daylight on main open street.. etc..

If security can be improved there, I will definitely visit again..
Vietnam is a beautiful country.. I love Halong Bay..
When cruising thru it.. no words can describe.. just beautiful..

Tip:
Join tour or cruise..
don't wander around by yourself DIY.. you are only looking for trouble..

eeerrrmmm.....I guess it all boils down to being more alert.

Do not flash alot of money.
Hang your camera / bag across your chest.
Dont stand by the road side and use your handphone.
This happens everywhere regardless of where you are.

I have brought many people around HCMC and have never encountered any problems.....

PS: to all who messaged / emailed me, I am sorry that I couldnt meet up. I do not go back often to Singapore and this is the one time that I get to catch up with my family / cousins. Also fell sick. Had a really crappy holiday.

No matter how careful..

This is my kind advice to everyone..
I am very shocked on my last visit there few months ago..
I have not expected such things to happen in Vietnam..
not just one case but sooooooooooooooooooooooooo many cases..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The only thing that I am worried about is security in Vietnam.

From my experience.. really really bad..
cannot describe.. I will call it dangerous to even walk on the street..
people being rob in broad daylight on main open street.. etc..

If security can be improved there, I will definitely visit again..
Vietnam is a beautiful country.. I love Halong Bay..
When cruising thru it.. no words can describe.. just beautiful..

Tip:
Join tour or cruise..
don't wander around by yourself DIY.. you are only looking for trouble..

Hi Lisy,

I concur with what Winston said about security in Vietnam. All countries have muggings and we just have to make sure that WE do not do things to make ourselves EASIER targets.

When I was there in HCMC, I felt very safe and actually explored the city by foot. No unpleasant incident happened, day or night. In fact, I feel the HCmC is actually very safe!

All I can say is, if u believe that it is unsafe, u will gravitate towards that thought. If u feel that it is safe, u will also gravitate towards that.

My local friends just advice me not to use the phone while walking. That's it.

Lisy wrote:

No matter how careful..

This is my kind advice to everyone..
I am very shocked on my last visit there few months ago..
I have not expected such things to happen in Vietnam..
not just one case but sooooooooooooooooooooooooo many cases..

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The only thing that I am worried about is security in Vietnam.

From my experience.. really really bad..
cannot describe.. I will call it dangerous to even walk on the street..
people being rob in broad daylight on main open street.. etc..

If security can be improved there, I will definitely visit again..
Vietnam is a beautiful country.. I love Halong Bay..
When cruising thru it.. no words can describe.. just beautiful..

Tip:
Join tour or cruise..
don't wander around by yourself DIY.. you are only looking for trouble..

Finally managed to play the new 9 hole at Asahi's favourite course in HCMC. Twin Doves. which now has 3 * 9 holes named Luna, Stella & Sole

For Sole (The new 9) Accuracy is very important as fairways are all very narrow and tight. It was also on this 9 hole that finally after 2.5 yrs of playing golf, I finally got not 1 but 2 birdies...wwwwwoooohhhhhhoooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS: Sole has a par 5. 600yards from blue.

Wow! New nine!?!

Gotta start planning for another assault soon.

p.s Winston, my fave not twin doves lah, it's that heavenly shampoo shop at district 1 lah.

Winston wrote:

Finally managed to play the new 9 hole at Asahi's favourite course in HCMC. Twin Doves. which now has 3 * 9 holes named Luna, Stella & Sole

For Sole (The new 9) Accuracy is very important as fairways are all very narrow and tight. It was also on this 9 hole that finally after 2.5 yrs of playing golf, I finally got not 1 but 2 birdies...wwwwwoooohhhhhhoooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS: Sole has a par 5. 600yards from blue.

wow !!..well done bro...2 birdies in a round...

looking forward to go play there again...maybe next time will try Twin Dove

Played at one of HCMC's oldest course. Vietnam Golf & Country Club. Played on the east course. Very mature course. Punishing if you cannot find the fairways.

Today something happened which was just down right magnificent. Had a hole out...from 130yds out.....

Drive roled out to the right of the fairway, stopped right infront of a rock. Took a 5 iron and with a putter stroke, hit 10 yds into a depression with thick rough. From there hit out about another 10 yds just in front of coconut tree.. Thought to myself, there goes this hole..

From line ot sight to flag, had to hit between 2 trees. Thought to myself, just hit it. Took a deep breath, slowed everything down and just swing. could see the ball going towards the green and saw it land. Friend said nice shot. NExt thing, saw it rolling and the ball disappear from sight. at that moment, the feeling was indescribeble...

Reach the green and saw the pitch mark almost 3 yards from the hole. This month has been many new things for me....Looking to break 100 next week..........

Wow, it felt like hole in one. doesn't it ?

Sorry for the very long absence. This was due to certain work commitments / problems that had to be solved quite urgently which took longer than I expected.

Weather Report

Weather here have been very very erratic and cranky. It will rain for days, than suddenly get hit by heat wave for 3 days, passing showers for like 15mins, etc etc

Nothing new happening in Ho Chi Minh City. Courses are basically the same. Except there are now Spring / summer promos for most clubs as well as promos for Ladies. The down side is that these promos are mostly for weekdays.

There are 2 new courses that opened up in Nha Trang. This is a seaside resort located about an hours flight from Ho Chi Minh City.

Diamond Bay Golf and Vin Pearl Golf. Am hoping to visit it in early July. Stay tune for more updates. The previous page had a few pictures of the 2 courses which were sent to me by a friend..

Twin Doves....here i come!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good game and update after your game. Hope to have a chance to visit soon. Only weekend game for your right? TQ

wah, your post just gone up by a few notches.....

AS it stands, currently only weekend games..but hope that will change soon.....

Winston, r those pic of your caddy?