VIETNAM

On the way of pacific invasion: golf ?

by R. Bourne & C. Jaricott

Due to its natural beauty and the traditional peaceful way of life of its civilization, Vietnam has suffered from multiple occupations, beginning with the Chinese in the 3rd century BC, ending in 1975 with the liberation of South Vietnam from the American Armies' presence. Will golf be its next invasion?

Hanoi, Februaryr 2003 -
According to Antoine Sirot, manager of the Sofitel Dalat Palace and very good golfer : "golf course developers are busily working up plans to attract the golfing tourist, from the old French hill station of Dalat to the historic battlefields of Dien Bien Phu or around Ho Chi Minh City".
In fact, as a tropical country with a warm climate and high humidity of air, it is the perfect environment for keeping grass fresh and green. So in the last years, world-class golf courses have been created from North to South and some others are under construction. Even if the number of 18-holes reaches only the dozen for the time being, Vietnam is on the way to become a golf and tourism destination. And that's why Sofitel and Novotel from Accor Group offer special golf packages.

Bordered by China, Laos and Cambodia in the Indochina peninsula, Vietnam is very attractive. First its particular shape is like an S letter (or like a dragoon which, is a good omen to Asian). Three quarters of its territory consists of forested mountains and hills but it has a high percentage of territorial waters in natural setting, the Red River Delta in the North, the Mekong Delta in the South… And the long coastal strip of 3,260 kms is a patchwork of brilliant green rice paddies tended by conical straw hats covered women. And there are some divine beaches under the shadow of tamarisks and coconut trees.

Despite more than thirty years of war of liberation from the Chinese, the French and, at last, the American armies, the proud people of that dignified country of Vietnam has preserved its rich civilization and highly cultured society. For how long? The young generation (50% of the 80 million Vietnamese) prefer to wear jeans than the traditional clothes even if many young girls still cycle in the streets draped in the very elegant white silky 'ao daï'.

Nevertheless the former Royal cities of the different realms which have taken place in the different parts of the unified country, the numerous and rich decorated Buddhist or Taoist temples, the special charm of the old colonial quarters in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and the exceptional and unique beauty of the Along Bay still stay there to attract tourists from around the world. So golfers who like it, can visit and play golf :

       - North around Hanoi
        - at Dalat in the Highlands
        - at Phan Thiet on central coast
       - South around Ho Chi Minh City
        - Good to know
        - Information                                                                                      

Championship courses

Vietnam Map

Traditional rice culture

Cycling in ao daî

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