Executive Summary:
- Thailand offers significantly greater course variety with 300+ national courses compared to Vietnam's 53+, and boasts a 30+ year established golf infrastructure. Top-tier green fees are comparable, ranging from USD $90–180 in Thailand and USD $100–170 in Vietnam.
- Vietnam excels in cultural depth, featuring UNESCO sites like Hoi An and My Son, and offers exceptional private villa quality, particularly in An Bang Beach. Top course quality is a tie, with Vietnam featuring Hoiana Shores, Ba Na Hills, and BRG, while Thailand offers Black Mountain, Laguna, and Blue Canyon.
- Travel from Australia to Thailand is marginally more convenient with direct Bangkok options and 8–10 hour flight times, versus Vietnam's 9–12 hour flights via Singapore/Bangkok. English communication is excellent across the board in Thailand, while good at golf courses in Vietnam.
Vietnam or Thailand. It's the question we're asked more than any other by Australian golfers planning their first luxury golf trip to Southeast Asia. Both countries offer extraordinary golf. Both have world-class infrastructure. Both are more accessible and better value than comparable destinations in Japan, Australia, or Europe.
The real answer — for many of our clients — is both. But if you need to choose, here's the definitive comparison.
Head-to-Head: Vietnam vs Thailand
| Category | Vietnam | Thailand | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top course quality | Hoiana Shores, Ba Na Hills, BRG | Black Mountain, Laguna, Blue Canyon | ⬛ Tie |
| Course variety | 53+ courses nationally | 300+ courses nationally | Thailand |
| Green fees (top tier) | USD $100–170 | USD $90–180 | ⬛ Comparable |
| Private villa quality | Exceptional — An Bang Beach | Excellent — Phuket, Hua Hin | Vietnam (value) |
| Cultural depth | Hoi An UNESCO, My Son, Ha Long | Bangkok temples, Chiang Mai | Vietnam |
| Food & dining | Outstanding at all levels | One of the world's great cuisines | ⬛ Tie |
| Flights from Australia | Via SIN/BKK — 9–12 hrs | Direct BKK options — 8–10 hrs | Thailand (marginal) |
| Golf infrastructure maturity | Emerging — fast improving | 30+ years established | Thailand |
| English communication | Good at golf courses | Excellent across the board | Thailand (marginal) |
Choose Vietnam If...
- Course quality at the very top tier is your priority — Hoiana Shores is Vietnam's case-closer
- Cultural immersion matters as much as golf — Hoi An Ancient Town is unmatched in Thailand
- You want a private villa experience at a premium price point that feels genuinely exclusive
- You're a first-time visitor to Southeast Asia looking for a more contained, easily navigated circuit
Choose Thailand If...
- Course variety is your priority — 300 courses vs Vietnam's 80+ gives Thailand the width advantage
- You want a resort spa experience alongside golf — Phuket and Hua Hin's resort infrastructure is exceptional
- Your group has mixed interests — Bangkok's city life and beach destinations cater to non-golfers superbly
- This is your second trip to the region and you've already done Vietnam
The Third Option: Do Both
For serious golf travellers, combining Vietnam and Thailand into a single 10-day itinerary is the obvious solution. A Da Nang Central Coast circuit (Hoiana Shores, Ba Na Hills, Montgomerie) paired with a Hua Hin finale (Black Mountain, Pineapple Valley, Springfield) via a Bangkok connection is one of the world's great golf journeys.
AGS specialises in exactly this kind of multi-country engineering. See our 10-day Vietnam + Thailand itinerary guide for the definitive dual-destination blueprint. Or explore the Vietnam hub and Thailand hub independently to compare what each offers.
