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Another golf course to be built in airport
In addition to a golf course which has recently been approved to be built inside Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan Son Nhat Airport, another is planned for Hanoi’s Gia Lam Airport.
The 1/2,000-scale model of the Long Bien golf course and services project has already been approved by the Hanoi People’s Committee, and the investor - the Long Bien Investment Corporation - is seeking approval for a 1/500-scale plan.
According to the approved plan, the golf course is to be built in a 117-hectare area spanning Phuc Dong, Gia Thuy and Long Bien wards of Long Bien District.
The project’s 1/500-ratio blueprint also includes a complex of restaurants, villas, apartments and other accompanying services to be built alongside the golf course.
Le Van Cuong, head of Phuc Dong Ward People’s Committee, told Tuoi Tre locals have been informed that their lands would be reclaimed to give way to the project.
But initial construction of the golf course has already begun in a defense ministry-managed land plot inside Gia Lam airport.
Farmland makes way for golf
Locals in Phuc Dong Ward said they all know of the would-be golf course at the airport.
They also showed Tuoi Tre the artificial lakes, hills and lawns which have already been designed to serve the golf course.
“We are not sure which company will build the golf course,” a local said. “But we know that it will be built in an area where the hills and lakes have already been created.”
Do Manh Hai, head of Long Bien District People’s Committee, told Tuoi Tre that Phuc Dong Ward has the largest area of land to be reclaimed for the project.
But it is worrying since the 42-hectare area that is earmarked for the golf project is being used for agricultural production. The plot is currently managed by Hanoi city’s government.
Le Van Cuong said Phuc Dong Ward would lose all of its 26 hectares of double-cropping paddy fields for the project.
Another 5.7 hectares of agricultural land in neighboring Gia Thuy Ward will also be reclaimed, according to Gia Thuy Ward People’s Committee.
Asked why farmland is used to build a golf course, Do Manh Hai said localities at district level are “zoned to have no paddy land”.
Agricultural land would be converted to serve urban purposes such as building parks, houses or public constructions, he added.
“According to the plan, Long Bien District will have no land for agriculture production in the coming time,” he informed.
Ocean Dunes Golf Club
Location: Ocean Dunes Golf Club is located on the seashore, in the northern outskirt of the quiet fishers' city of Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan Province.
Characteristic: Sculpted out of the coastal dunes, along the Eastern Sea, the Ocean Dunes Golf Club is the ideal respite from the demands of daily life. Brilliant sun, windswept dunes and sea breezes makes it one of the most exciting links style courses in the region.
Ocean Dunes Golf Club is designed by Nick Faldo. It features a 6,746-yard, par 72, golf course which slaloms through the seaside dunes and coastal breezes shape the course's day-to-day characteristics. It also is an engaging and playable course for higher handicapped players who will enjoy the openness of the links-course.
The Ocean Dunes Golf Club is well-known with sand dunes, sea breezes, beach vegetation, and sea views. "We have let the dunes determine the routing and the look of the golf course. It should have the feel and the playability of the early seaside courses, but with a tropical climate" says Nick Faldo.
The Ocean Dunes course offers exciting opportunities for more experienced players who will appreciate the challenges posed by the winds.
Song Be Golf Club
Location: Situated in Lai Thieu Townlet, Thuan An District, Binh Duong Province, the golf course is about 22km or 35 minutes drive from the centre of Ho Chi Minh City and from the Tan Son Nhat airport.
Characteristic: This is Vietnam's first International Standard Championship Golf Course. Song Be Golf Resort is widely regarded as one of the most challenging and stimulating in the country.
The 100 hectares of the golf resort was built out of the natural landscape of fruit orchard and coconut palms and was opened for play since 1994. The resort style layout features at least 10 lakes with tree-lined fairways.
The resort comprises of an 18-hole, Par 72 Championship Golf Course that measures over 7,200 yards (6,339m) at its longest. Carved out of natural surrounds, the Golf Course is officially rated in accordance with USGA/SGA (United States Golfers Association / Singapore Golfers Associationrequirements).
Other facilities include driving range, pro-shop, tennis courts, locker rooms, two restaurants, guest villas, children’s playground, swimming pool, gymnasium, sauna, reading room and function rooms.
At Song Be, the emphasis is on offering golfers a challenging course which they will enjoy playing on a regular basis. At the same time, the course aim to provide golfers a warm atmosphere in relaxing surroundings.
Dalat Palace Golf Club
Location: The golf course is located in the centre of Dalat City, Lam Dong Province.
Characteristic: This is an 18-hole golf course with international technical standards.
The Dalat Palace Golf Club is a golf retreat that soothes the senses, invigorates the body and calms the mind. Since the opening of Dalat Palace Golf Club in 1922, it has hosted golfers from around the world.
In early 1994, Dalat emerged once again as the ideal golf retreat in Southeast Asia with the revival and expansion of Dalat Palace Golf Club. The 18-hole course is crafted into the area’s gently rolling hills, surrounded by stately pine trees, and seated above majestic Xuan Huong Lake.
The Dalat Palace Golf Club remains linked to its past by the original clubhouse, built in 1956 when the initial 9-hole club was first renovated. The clubhouse has been fully restored and remains in use today with a full pro shop, restaurant, fireplace and outdoor patio areas. The clubhouse restaurant offers both superb Vietnamese and International cuisine.
At 7,009 yards in length and par 72, Dalat Palace Golf Club is an enjoyable challenge for golfers of all levels. Low handicap players will be tested by a series of lakes, which meander through ten of eighteen holes, as well as strategically placed bunkers, which penalize the miscalculating risk-taker. Novice players will find relief with large accommodating greens normally left open for run-up approach shots, as well as wide, forgiving fairways.
Dalat Palace Golf Club features par 3’s ranging in length from 164 to 234 yards and par 5’s up to 556 yards. These varied lengths allow a true examination of one’s golfing skills, and require that players use each club in their bag – the hallmark of a great golf course. Four different tee areas on each hole allow players to determine their own degree of challenge on the course
A full practice area complements the golf course, with an open 290-yard driving range, a putting green, and practice bunkers.
The Dalat Palace Golf Club is the only golf course in South East Asia with bent grass tees, fairways and greens – considered to be the ultimate playing surface in golf. The large, undulating bent grass greens are maintained to impeccable standards.
Chi Linh Star Golf & Country Club
Location: Sao Do Town, Chi Linh District, Hai Duong Province, 48km from Hanoi along the road going to Halong Bay.
Characteristic: Chi Linh Star Golf & Country Club is an international standard Golf and Country Club which is in the center of the strategic Economic development and Tourism triangle of the North of Vietnam: Hanoi - Haiphong- Halong (Quang Ninh). Chi Linh Star Golf & Country Club is an ideal destination for golfing tourists.
The Chi Linh Star Golf Course features a 36-hole golfing challenge, with every hole constructed and designed to international standard. "The Best Place To Play" begins with nine holes, opened in November 2003.
The 160ha site on which the course is being constructed lies within a beautiful valley, surrounded by rolling forest hills, and nestles beside a large lake complete with rolling creeks and natural water flowing from the surrounding area. 11 holes over 36 have water risks (6 over water and 5 touching water). The hotel of golf club features 90 deluxe rooms and suites, two restaurants, conference facilities, resort spa services, tennis court, swimming pool and spa, 24 hour room service, nightclub and two bars.
A visit to Chi Linh will no doubt leave a lasting impression, whether it be for a great round of golf, or simply having made the visit to a truly special place, transformed with care and attention to every detail.
Viet Nam Golf and Country Club
Location: Long Thanh My Ward, District 9, Ho Chi Minh City, just 20km from downtown.
Characteristic: The 300ha club has two 18-hole golf courses and the Lakeview Villas complex. Vietnam Golf and Country Club is one of the favourite destinations of Vietnamese and foreign golfers.
Occupying 150 ha, the West and East courses, opened in late 1994 and 1997 respectively, impress players with their designs. The West Course follows the Asian tradition of narrow, tree-lined fairways and fast, smooth greens with 12 artificial lakes in a poetic landscape. The East Course features Western-style architecture and offers long, wide fairways with well placed bunkers and water hazards plus challenging, undulating greens.
Many tournaments have been fought out on these lawns. Right after the West Course’s opening, the Asia Professional Golf Tournament took place there in 1995 and 1996.
With the competitions, the club has also received top golfers of many Southeast Asian countries. Overall, the club has welcomed 700,000 players so far. Of them, 500,000 are members.
Both East and West courses have become popular among foreign tourists who come to Vietnam through arranged golf tours. Most of the players have given their thumbs-up to the club’s services and quality. Besides the two courses, the club has 59 luxurious, spacious and well-furnished villas of Western design.
The fresh air, tranquility, safety and world-class facilities surrounded by green grass are certain to enthrall guests. Close to the golf courses, most villas look out to the 12 ha natural Dai Vien Lake. Many senior officers of companies in industrial parks and export processing zones in Ho Chi Minh City and the neighbouring provinces of Dong Nai and Binh Duong have moved into the Lakeview Villas. The villas are also home to specialists and their families from the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, France, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong...
All tenants are allowed to use the open-air Sports Club and get discounts when playing golf. In addition, the Vietnam Golf and Country Club has a restaurant, a driving range, a tennis court, a badminton court, boats and a playground area for children
Characteristic: The 18-hole Championship golf course has been designed by IMG - the world's largest sports management company, opening on 2 September 2005. Tam Dao Golf and Resort is constructed to ensure playing conditions equal to the finest golf courses in the world.
Set amongst the spectacular scenery of the Tam Dao mountain area, a golf course consisting of lakes, running streams and strategic bunkering will provide a challenge for golfers. A variety of tee boxes on every hole will cater for players of all levels and from the championship tees, measuring over 7,200 yards(6,600m) experienced amateurs and professionals will be required to use every club in the bag to conquer the challenging par 72 layout. In addition to the golf course design Salam Paspalum grassed fairways and Sea Isle 2000 Paspalum greens will ensure an ideal playing surface all year round.
After a day of golf, members and guests will experience a level of luxury unparalleled in Vietnam in a clubhouse of over 10,000m² with facilities to rival those of the finest hotels and clubhouses in Asia. You can live in luxurious locker rooms complete with full-length lockers, saunas and Jacuzzis, enjoying Asian and European cuisine at one of three restaurants or just a relaxing drink at one of the two bars after game.
