Hoiana Shores Golf Club - Spotlight
There are golf courses that impress you with grandeur, and then there are those that win you over quietly — with rhythm, restraint, and an undeniable sense of place. Hoiana Shores Golf Club, on Vietnam’s central coast, belongs firmly to the latter. Opening in 2019 it’s a relatively new addition to Asia’s golfing scene, yet it already feels timeless, as if it has always belonged to this stretch of golden shoreline just south of Hoi An.
Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Hoiana Shores is his first venture in Vietnam — and what a statement it is. The site itself is extraordinary: a long, natural swathe of sandy terrain that gently tumbles toward the South China Sea. It’s golf on the edge of the world, shaped by the wind, the sea, and the imagination of one of the game’s great architects.
Hoiana Shores Golf Club - Hoi An, Vietnam
From the very first tee, what strikes you most is how authentic it feels. Nothing here feels forced or over-sculpted. Fairways flow naturally between coastal dunes, native grasses sway in the breeze, and the bunkering — bold yet perfectly in tune with its surroundings — feels as though it’s been there for centuries. It’s hard not to draw comparisons to the great links of Scotland, yet Hoiana has its own distinct character, a tropical calm mixed with the drama of seaside golf.
The opening holes ease you in with generous landing areas and sweeping views of the sea, but don’t be fooled, the wind is a constant companion, and course management soon becomes essential. The par-4 4th is a standout early on, framed by dunes and playing towards the distant surf, while the par-3 8th, with its elevated tee and backdrop of ocean horizon, is as beautiful as it is treacherous.
By the back nine, the course reveals its full personality. The stretch from 13 through 16 might be as good as anywhere in Asia — strategic, subtle, and beautifully crafted. The par-5 16th, in particular, is a showstopper, a sweeping hole that curls along the coast, its green perched precariously above the beach. It’s golf theatre, pure and simple.
What truly elevates Hoiana Shores, though, is its connection to its environment. Jones Jr.’s “minimalist” approach lets the land dictate the golf, not the other way around. It’s sustainable in both design and maintenance — a course built with respect for its surroundings, not in spite of them. The turf plays firm and fast, encouraging creativity and shot making, while the conditioning is world-class without ever feeling overly manicured.
Hoiana Shores Golf Course - Hoi An, Vietnam
Facilities are exceptional, as you’d expect from a course integrated within the Hoiana Resort complex — a destination that combines five-star hospitality, fine dining, and a serene beachfront setting just minutes from the historic streets of Hoi An. But make no mistake, it’s the golf that’s the headline act.
Hoiana Shores is more than just Vietnam’s best new course, it’s a rare example of a modern design that feels both natural and inevitable, as though the land was always meant to be played upon. You walk off the 18th green not just impressed but genuinely inspired.
So, if you’re searching for a golfing adventure beyond the ordinary, one that marries links-style purity with Southeast Asian warmth, make your way to Hoiana Shores. It’s proof that the great game doesn’t just belong to the old world — it’s thriving here, on the shores of Vietnam.
View ‘A Golfing Adventure in Vietnam - Customer Photo Highlights’
Find your perfect golf break with Discover Golf
Hoiana Shores Golf Club - Hoi An, Vietnam