Long Thanh Golf Club

The Long Thanh Golf Club offers 36 holes in the former rice paddies and scenic countryside surrounding Saigon. The Ho Chi Minh City golf course is located 30 kilometers north of the city on a bluff with unobstructed views of the Vietnamese capital.

Both the Hill and Lake course are well maintained throughout the year, and the golf courses are a longtime favorite among locals. Many expatriates and Vietnam golf visitors prefer Long Thanh Golf Club over its more famous neighbor Vietnam Golf & Country Club.

The Hill Course features rolling fairways and large undulating greens. Large oil palms frame each hole. The Lake Course is characterized by many high-lipped bunkers and water hazards on almost every hole to catch errant shots. Both courses feature Paspalum grassed fairways and tee boxes. Putting greens use Tifdwarf Bermuda grass which can roll anywhere from 8 to 10. This combination of grasses matches other top courses in the region. The rough at Long Thanh is cut relatively short and poses no real challenge.

All 36 holes have their character shape, and this wide variety makes for good challenges for both serious amateurs and professional golfers. Higher handicappers might prefer the Lake Course, however, which is relatively flatter.

Hole 4, a par-3 on the Hill Course, is the signature hole and features two greens equally good. Both require accurate tee shot as there is out-of-bounds over putting surface. The shorter putting area is possibly even more difficult, surrounded by the 'Great Wall of Long Thanh,' with club selection being of prime importance, as there is water guarding the front and a rock face behind the green. This is a once seen, never forgotten hole.

Another great hole at Long Thanh is the par-5, 14th hole on Hill Course. The longer you hit the ball, the tighter the fairway gets. If you can't reach the green in two shots, the lay-up shot requires real accuracy as there are out-of-bounds on the right and a lake on the left. There are frequently some big scores on this hole.

Both the Lake and Hill Courses are walking courses, with single or shared golf carts being optional. Caddies, of whom 50% are male, are very good as most are long-standing employees at Long Thanh, and some are even single handicappers themselves.

The Long Thanh Golf Club and Residential Estate have also spared no expense to build an elaborate clubhouse. The locker and changing rooms might be the plushest in Saigon. Ask for a shoe shine after your round. The pro shop is adequate but often only stocked with a fleeing selection of merchandise. The main restaurant serves a fine selection of both Vietnamese and Western food for golfers after their rounds in both indoor and outdoor settings. However, it might be better if the restaurant were more centrally located to take advantage of the excellent views of the Saigon skyline.

Overall, golf at Long Thanh is an impressive experience and is sure to please all Vietnam golfers.