My golfing adventures in Vietnam

hi bro Winston,

Any good solid massage at HCMC?

What can non-golfing mates do over there for leisure while the golfers go for 18 rounds?

Winston wrote:

golfchowmk wrote:

andrew-golf wrote:

Hi Winston,

Great post!

i dropped you a PM and me and my mates will be in HCM on 15th to 18th for business and golf.

Andrew

Bro Andrew, You gg to hcm har. sure bor for business & for golfing i thnk i can trust lar cos u golfing for 19 holes rite.

That can also be arranged....wahahahahahahahahahah

Well dne bro winston.. planing planing ahaahhhah

asahi wrote:

hi bro Winston,

Any good solid massage at HCMC?

What can non-golfing mates do over there for leisure while the golfers go for 18 rounds?

eeerrrmmm...there are massages that cater to "ALL" tastes.

As for leisure, shopping, shopping and more shopping. Also have day trips out of HCMC that will take up about 10 hours.

Hi All,

This is a quick update on HCMC, Vietnam

Golf Courses -

Song Be - http://songbegolf.com/main/
3 * 9 holes. (palm/Lotus/desert) the more popular course for foreignors as it is located between 2 very huge industrial parks. (VSIP I & II). It is about 40mins drive from the city centre.

Vietnam Golf & country Club - http://vietnamgolfcc.com/golf/en/about.html
2*18 holes (East & west). Located about 30 mins from the city

Long Thanh Golf Club - http://www.longthanhgolfresort.com.vn/
2*18 holes (Hill & Lake). Located about 1 hour out from the city

Twin Doves Golf Club - www.twindovesgolf.com
2* 9 hole. (Lunar & mare) 3rd 9 hole is scheduled to open there next year. The newest course in HCMC. About 1 hour from the city. You will pass by Song Be on the way to Twin Doves.

Dong Nai Golf Resort - http://dongnaigolf.com.vn/contact.php
This one about 1.5hr - 2hrs from city. Very natural course. Alot trees, and the course surrounds a huge lake. It also seems to be an old course. Clun House facilities seem old.

For glofing in HCMC, caddy is compulsory. THe fees they quote you is for Green & Caddy. For all you guys growing up playing golf in Singapore, in HCMC, it is all walking. For Buggy have to pay extra.

Normally tips for caddies are about VND100K - VND200K ( Aproximatly SGD$8 - SGD$15)

Transportation should be arranged prior to coming in to HCMC. Alternativly, you can come in and then get the hotel to help you to arrange for your transport. The taxi fare can be quite costly.

If time permits, I can help to make arrangements.

Update Part II - For the non-golfers

There are numerous options for the non-golfers who acompany their pertners up to HCMC. It is a shoppers paradise. the most common things to buy are of course Vietnamese Coffe. However, in HCMC, there are many places to buy "Made in Vietnam" / "Fall off the Truck" apparel. Anything from Gucci - Adidas. Wtaches - Shoes -Handbags. Basically anything.

Also there are day numerous day tours available. CHeck out this website:

The Sinh Tourist. One of the most popular and reliable tour operators in HCMC. I personally use their services when I have friends / Family that visit.

http://www.thesinhtourist.vn/

FOr all you golfers who bring along Non-golfing partners or children, dont worry, there are numerous things for them to do while you golf.

For all other "activities" drop me a PM.

Hi Winston.. Is Dec good time to visit hcm and play golf as well?

Any Christmas celebration in Vietnam?

Thanks for yr advice! Cheers

Hi Raquel,

December is ok. Might be abit wet.

As for Christmas, yes they do celebrate it here. One of the few "foreign" holidays that is celeberated here even though it is not recognised as a holiday in HCMC. In the city centre, there is a Street light up similar to Orchard road but only for about maybe 400m long stretch. Not sure if they will do it again this year.

Winston wrote:

Hi Raquel,

December is ok. Might be abit wet.

As for Christmas, yes they do celebrate it here. One of the few "foreign" holidays that is celeberated here even though it is not recognised as a holiday in HCMC. In the city centre, there is a Street light up similar to Orchard road but only for about maybe 400m long stretch. Not sure if they will do it again this year.

Hi Winston,

Thank you for the summaries of HCM. It really does reminded me again when I had spend almost 3 years there ... Not to forget to mention was ... Motorcyclist will be all over the city during the weekend but they do not seems to know when they are going but just going round and round the city ..... Cool !

Going back there anytime soon Slicer??
For golf...

Slicer51 wrote:

Hi Winston,

Thank you for the summaries of HCM. It really does reminded me again when I had spend almost 3 years there ... Not to forget to mention was ... Motorcyclist will be all over the city during the weekend but they do not seems to know when they are going but just going round and round the city ..... Cool !

NOw the problem has become worse as the locals become more afluent and have started to buy cars. and teh amount of Motorbikes have also increased!!!! Traffic here is a nightmare..

Hi Bro Winston,
I'm planning to go Vietnam from 17th Nov to 21st Nov.
Can you let me know how is the weather like? Hot or cold?
Will it rain much cos I dun wan my golf to be ruin cos of rain.

Are there good shopping and massage places around?
My wife is going with me.
So she accompany me golf and I will need to accompany her to shop and massage.

What about food?
Besides HCM, should we go Hanoi as well?
Are there places of interest to visit?

Thanks for your reply.

Hi Sky

I'm planning to go Vietnam from 17th Nov to 21st Nov.
Can you let me know how is the weather like? Hot or cold?
Will it rain much cos I dun wan my golf to be ruin cos of rain.

HCMC will be hot and slightly wet. But not too bad. However, witht he way the weather has ben, you can never predict. The raining season for HCMC came very very late this year.

Are there good shopping and massage places around?
My wife is going with me.
So she accompany me golf and I will need to accompany her to shop and massage.

There are alot of places to shop. for both local and imported stuff. Genuine and alot of fakes or products that have "Accidentalyy" fallen off the truck. There are also alot of spas as well as massage parlours located all over the city

What about food?
]Food here is very international. So it wont be a problem. If you have a weak stomach, there are ALOT of restaurants to eat in for both local / international.
Besides HCM, should we go Hanoi as well?

Hanoi is a 2 hour flight further up north. and really it is only if you are intrested in culture / history. Other than that, there is really nothing much to do

Are there places of interest to visit?
Try this wedsite for attractions located both in tbe city and outside.
http://www.thesinhtourist.vn/

Thank u Bro Winston.
In your opinion, is 5D4N too much time to spend in HCMC alone just for golf, shopping and massage.....

Err, for massage, how do i tell those clean one from not so clean one?

asahi wrote:

What can non-golfing mates do over there for leisure while the golfers go for 18 rounds?

Wah.... asahi. You plan to do 18 ROUNDS of golf in HCM. You solid lah.

skybobo wrote:

Thank u Bro Winston.
In your opinion, is 5D4N too much time to spend in HCMC alone just for golf, shopping and massage.....

Err, for massage, how do i tell those clean one from not so clean one?

It really depends on your flight times really. If you get in ont he earliest flight, it would be around 9am VN time (1 hour behind singapore) you should be able to get in an afternoon game if you really really need it and fly out on the last day on the latest flight which should be about 5pm so you can squeeze in a morning game.

However, if you take the mid-day flights, then you only have 3 full days which you can play. Factor in total of 6 hours for game and travel time, you should have a rough estimate on whether it is enough or too long.

Dun go Hanoi lah, u wun like it one. Btw, you can tell it is a 'lupsup' massage instantly. That's the least of your worries

is clean massage handle by xmm as well like in SZ?

skybobo wrote:

is clean massage handle by xmm as well like in SZ?

Yup...HCMC got alot alot of xmm......

Bro Winston, I'm confirmed coming from 17 Nov to 21 Nov
Will be staying at Liberty Central
Is this a good hotel?
What are the 3 courses that is nearest to it?
Thank u ah

skybobo wrote:

Bro Winston, I'm confirmed coming from 17 Nov to 21 Nov
Will be staying at Liberty Central
Is this a good hotel?
What are the 3 courses that is nearest to it?
Thank u ah

Liberty Central is locate on Le Thanh Thon St. Very good location. Just less than 50m away from the famous / popular local tourist market called Ben Thanh Market and it is located int he city centre. Very family oriented hotel.

I can give you the 4 clubs located nearest to the city.

Song Be - http://songbegolf.com/main/
3 * 9 holes. (palm/Lotus/desert) the more popular course for foreignors as it is located between 2 very huge industrial parks. (VSIP I & II). It is about 40mins drive from the city centre.

Vietnam Golf & country Club - http://vietnamgolfcc.com/golf/en/about.html
2*18 holes (East & west). Located about 30 mins from the city

Long Thanh Golf Club - http://www.longthanhgolfresort.com.vn/
2*18 holes (Hill & Lake). Located about 1 hour out from the city

Twin Doves Golf Club - www.twindovesgolf.com
2* 9 hole. (Lunar & mare) 3rd 9 hole is scheduled to open there next year. The newest course in HCMC. About 1 hour from the city. You will pass by Song Be on the way to Twin Doves.

Winston wrote:

skybobo wrote:

Bro Winston, I'm confirmed coming from 17 Nov to 21 Nov
Will be staying at Liberty Central
Is this a good hotel?
What are the 3 courses that is nearest to it?
Thank u ah

Liberty Central is locate on Le Thanh Thon St. Very good location. Just less than 50m away from the famous / popular local tourist market called Ben Thanh Market and it is located int he city centre. Very family oriented hotel.

I can give you the 4 clubs located nearest to the city.

Song Be - http://songbegolf.com/main/
3 * 9 holes. (palm/Lotus/desert) the more popular course for foreignors as it is located between 2 very huge industrial parks. (VSIP I & II). It is about 40mins drive from the city centre.

Vietnam Golf & country Club - http://vietnamgolfcc.com/golf/en/about.html
2*18 holes (East & west). Located about 30 mins from the city

Long Thanh Golf Club - http://www.longthanhgolfresort.com.vn/
2*18 holes (Hill & Lake). Located about 1 hour out from the city

Twin Doves Golf Club - www.twindovesgolf.com
2* 9 hole. (Lunar & mare) 3rd 9 hole is scheduled to open there next year. The newest course in HCMC. About 1 hour from the city. You will pass by Song Be on the way to Twin Doves.

Song Be i highly recommend. The 3 courses are beautiful... especially desert course. my friend and i whacked 27 holes in 1 day..

Very good service also and easy to get taxi back to hotel.

My friend let his phone in the taxi and the golf club actually traced the taxi and made e driver send it back to our hotel..

Thumbs up!

thanks to brother winston's recommendations...


thanks so much brother winston!

Thank you Bro Winston for the recommendations.
U are the best ah

Just sharing the info I have gathered lah. not a difficult thing to do...

Andrew, glad you enjoyed your game.

Sky, Am happy that I can help..

@Skybobo: http://libertycentralhotel.com/aboutus is this the Liberty Central you booked at?

@Andrew: Your friend is very very lucky to get his phone back. and yes it was great for the club to help you get th ephone back. Most places couldnt be even bothered to help.