'From Fairway to Growth' Workshop: Golf and Economic Power

TPO - Within the framework of The Golfers Tournament 2025, the seminar “From Fairway to Growth” was organized as an academic and strategic forum, bringing together experts, managers, businesses and investors from home and abroad. The event affirmed that golf is not only a sport, but also an economic lever, a diplomatic tool and a symbol of sustainable development of Vietnam in the era of global integration.

Báo Tiền Phong•17/10/2025

Golf: Economic leverage in the new era

According to statistics from the Vietnam Golf Association (VGA), the number of golfers in Vietnam has grown dramatically over the past decade, from a few thousand golfers in the 2000s to more than 100,000 active players today.

The number of golf courses has also expanded strongly, spreading across the North - Central - South, making Vietnam a prominent destination on the Asia - Pacific golf map, recognized by a series of international golf tourism awards.

Golf has created tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs, from caddies, coaches, course managers, technicians, to hospitality, media, technology and tourism services.

According to research, on average, an 18-hole golf course can create hundreds of billions of dong in economic value, both directly and indirectly, each year, contributing a large amount to GDP and local budgets through taxes, fees and related service chains.

At the workshop, experts will analyze and quantify the economic impact of golf based on actual data from VGA, VHandicap, GolfEdit and international organizations, to more clearly outline the overall picture: Golf is not just a sport, but an industry with far-reaching influence.

International Highlights: Japanese Expert Shares Experience of “3000 Golf Courses”

A special feature of this year's “From Fairway to Growth” is the presence of a leading Japanese expert in the field of golf management and development.

With the theme “Japan - Lessons on sustainable development in the golf industry”, the expert will share experiences from a country with an area not much larger than Vietnam, but has effectively operated more than 3,000 golf courses, becoming one of the most comprehensive golf models in the world, where governance, environment, education and golf tourism go hand in hand.

These practical experiences are expected to open up new perspectives for Vietnam, especially in the fields of: Planning and operating golf courses according to international standards; Optimizing economic - tourism - sports models associated with the community; Applying data technology in modern golf management; Developing youth golf and school golf culture.

The appearance of Japanese experts is a symbol of the spirit of international cooperation and global learning, which the Vietnamese golf industry is aiming for in the professional development phase.

From golf courses to sustainable policy

The workshop will analyze golf as a pillar of sustainable development, not only generating profits, but also shaping green infrastructure, eco-tourism and landscape conservation. Many localities in Vietnam are witnessing strong changes thanks to golf projects, where golf courses become the center connecting sports, resorts and tourism investment.

Golf also plays a soft diplomatic role, where businessmen, investors and leaders meet in a civilized sports space. Golf rounds are not just a game, but a bridge for economic cooperation, promoting international trade and tourism.

Practical value and strategic direction: “From Fairway to Growth” aims at specific action solutions, focusing on three pillars:

- Strategic investment: Analysis of effective investment models for golf courses, academies, technology and infrastructure.

- Orienting the young generation: Opening up a perspective on golf as a future profession, bringing golf into education and developing young talents.

- Connecting the ecosystem: Creating a cooperation forum between businesses - organizations - government - community, towards a sustainable, effective and internationally integrated golf ecosystem.

From knowledge to action

The workshop brought together sports economics experts, association leaders, representatives of domestic and foreign businesses and investors, and prestigious research organizations.

Through connecting data - knowledge - action, the workshop aims to shape Vietnam's golf development policy, build a national brand for golf tourism, and put Vietnam on the global golf map.

Seminar message: Golf is a strategic industry that needs to be invested and planned properly. Golf is a bridge for international cooperation, a means of diplomacy and effective economic development. Golf is a symbol of sustainable development connecting sports, tourism, education and community.

The workshop “From Fairway to Growth - Golf and Economic Strength” is a pioneering step, affirming Vietnam’s vision: From each fairway opens a path to growth. From passion for sports creates national economic strength.