GOLF went in search of some courses in and around Hanoi to include on one’s itinerary.

Kings’ Island Golf Resort

Kings’ Island was the first golf course in northern Vietnam and it currently has two par-72 courses here – Mountainview and Lakeside. A few holes are worth a mention on both courses. The par-5 third on the Mountainview is long and gently dog legs around to the left. Try and aim your tee shot down the middle as too far to the left and your second shot to the green will be blocked by trees, but too far to the right and you will find the fairway bunker. The green is well bunkered and if you can reach the green in two there’s a good chance of an eagle or birdie. The signature par-3 eighth is quite spectacular and you need to hit over water to a front-bunkered green which slopes from back-right to front-left. The par-4 18th on the Mountainview is a dogleg left hole but the corner is completely guarded by a tree while the right side of the fairway has a deep bunker. The second shot is over water to the green which is well bunkered at the front and on either side.

The Lakeside’s par-3 third is very picturesque and all tee box shots require a hit over water. The challenge will also be avoiding the bunkers in front, on the right and at the back of the two-tiered green. The par-4 ninth is testing as the narrow hole has a lateral water hazard in the trees on the left and a long bunker down the right with water. A good drive will still leave an accurate approach shot over the water hazard to the green.

Facilities include a superb clubhouse, restaurant, pro-shop and night golf.

Dong Mo Son Tay Hanoi

Vietnam Tel: +844 3368 6555

Fax: +844 3368 6606

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.kingsislandgolf.com

Phoenix Golf Resort

Located at Luong Son, Hoa Binh province, 38km away from the centre of Hanoi, lies Phoenix Golf Resort. There are three courses available for play, which have been designed by well-known golf architect Ron Fream (Phoenix Course), Song Ho from Song Ho Design Group from Korea (Champion Course) and Japanese course designer Sato Kentaro (Dragon Course). Construction started in early 2005 and 27 holes opened in 2006, with the following 27 opening in mid-2008. All three designers have made good use of the lie of the land and natural undulating topography in around the spectacular limestone cliffs. Play all three if you have the time.

Facilities include a 200-guest room hotel, clubhouse, pro-shop, swimming pool, seminar rooms, restaurant, gymnasium and Karaoke room.

Lam Son Commune Luong Son District Hoa Binh Province Hanoi Vietnam

Tel: +84 21 8628 8000

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.hanoigolf.co.kr

Sky Lake Resort & Golf Club

This superb and visually stunning resort is located 36km southwest of Hanoi and consists of 36 holes in addition to a number of facilities. Korean architect Ahn Moon Hwan designed both 18-hole layouts - the 7,557 yard Lake course was completed in 2012 with much acclaim having been voted ‘The most Challenging Golf Course in 2012/ 13 by the Vietnam Golf Association’. The use of the natural terrain and vegetation gives golfers a unique feeling of solitude, and the course designer has made full use of the natural topography to create a challenging course that will test all levels of golfers. The monster 563 metre par-5 fifth has a left dog leg shaped green. Accuracy is key here, as the ball should be driven to the left side of the first bunker or to the left side of the fairway to carry the water hazard all the way from fairway to green to be on in two.

The par-72 Sky Course, which opened at the end of November 2014, is the newer of the two courses and is quite contrasting in design. It’s a much gentler test of golf, offering wider fairways and exciting use of elevation. The fairways are Sea Isle Paspalum and Bermuda Champion on the greens, offering golfers a quality playing and consistent putting surface. Its signature hole is the 430-yard par-4 hole 15, named Dien Bien Phu which takes its dramatic hole design from the famous 1954 battle that resulted in the departure of French influence in Indo China. Here you need to traverse the steep incline to the green which is perched on the pinnacle of a hill overlooking Hanoi in the distance.

Facilities include a clubhouse with panoramic views of Hanoi, restaurant that offers an extensive menu of Asian and Western cuisine, pro-shop, driving range, golf academy and restaurant. Plans are underway to build a condominium style hotel, golf and resort villas, terraced houses and additional sports and leisure facilities.

Van Son Lake Chuong

My District Hanoi

Tel: +84 4 3371 1234

Fax: +84 4 3771 0019

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. www.skylakegolfclub.vn

HOW TO GET THERE

There are daily flights to Hanoi on Singapore Airlines and Vietnam Airlines while Silk Air flies three times a week.

WHEN TO GO

From December to February the temperatures can drop over night to around 10 degrees Celsius but rainfall is lower and during the day it’s around 20 degrees Celsius. During March to May the weather is warmer while June, July and August are the hottest months. From September to November the weather starts to cool and are similar to March and April temperatures.

WHAT TO DO

HO Chi Minh Mausoleum Complex which houses Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum and stilt house as well as the presidential palace and Ho Chi Minh museum

Hoan Kiem Lake

Halong Bay

Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour

Ngoc Son Temple

Explore the Old Quarter for its mix of French colonial and ancient Vietnamese architecture. Here the streets can sell anything from musical instruments and fabrics, to motorcycle parts and fresh produce.

Eat a bowl of Pho and sip on one of Vietnam’s most profitable exports – coffee Souvenir shopping at Dong Xuan market

Hoa Lo Prison

WHERE TO STAY

Hanoi has a wide range of accommodation styles to suit all budgets, from the gorgeous five-star Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi to a number of hostels and boutique hotels. Also check out the iconic Hanoi De L’Opera Hanoi which is a five-minute walk to the Opera House.