After 45 rounds across every course within 2 hours of Hanoi, I can say this with confidence: the capital’s golf scene is wildly underrated. Everyone flies to Da Nang — and I get it, I live there — but Hanoi’s best golf courses offer mountain backdrops, cooler temperatures, and green fees 20–30% lower than their Central Vietnam counterparts. Here are my top 10 best golf courses in Hanoi, ranked by overall playing experience.
At a glance:
- Total courses: 15+ within 2 hours of Hanoi center
- Green fee range: $35–120 per round (caddie included)
- Best months: October–December, March–April (18–28°C)
- Top picks: BRG Kings Island, Sky Lake, Van Tri, Phoenix
- Unique: Mountain courses at 200–500m elevation, impossible in Da Nang
Top 10 Best Golf Courses in Hanoi: The Complete Ranking
| Rank | Course | Designer | Green Fee | From Hanoi | Dave’s Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | BRG Kings Island (Lakeside) | Jack Nicklaus | $80–120 | 55 min | 9.1/10 |
| 2 | Sky Lake Golf (Lake Course) | Lim Sang Yup | $65–100 | 60 min | 8.8/10 |
| 3 | BRG Kings Island (Mountain) | Jack Nicklaus | $80–120 | 55 min | 8.7/10 |
| 4 | Van Tri Golf Club | Peter Barwis | $45–75 | 30 min | 8.5/10 |
| 5 | Dai Lai Star Golf | Robert Trent Jones Jr | $55–90 | 50 min | 8.4/10 |
| 6 | Phoenix Golf Resort | Masashi Ozaki | $50–80 | 45 min | 8.3/10 |
| 7 | Tam Dao Golf & Resort | IMG Design | $50–85 | 70 min | 8.2/10 |
| 8 | Long Bien Golf Club | Nelson & Haworth | $35–60 | 20 min | 7.9/10 |
| 9 | Chi Linh Star Golf | Tai-Ho International | $45–70 | 90 min | 7.8/10 |
| 10 | Heron Lake Golf | Robert Trent Jones Jr | $40–65 | 55 min | 7.6/10 |
#1 BRG Kings Island: Why Nicklaus Design Dominates Hanoi Golf
BRG Kings Island Golf Resort features 36 holes of Jack Nicklaus-designed championship golf set against Dong Mo Lake, 55 minutes southwest of Hanoi. The Lakeside Course — my top pick among the best golf courses in Hanoi — wraps around a natural lake with water coming into play on 11 of 18 holes. The Mountain Course climbs into surrounding hills with dramatic elevation changes of 60+ meters. Green fees: $80–120 per 18 holes. Both courses are immaculately maintained, with bent grass greens that run true at 10.5+ on the stimpmeter.
What separates Kings Island from every other Hanoi course is strategy. Nicklaus designed multiple tee options on every hole — beginners play 5,800 yards, scratch players face 7,200 yards. The same hole plays as a different puzzle from each tee. Read our full BRG Kings Island review.
#2 Sky Lake: The Most Photogenic Course Near Hanoi
Sky Lake Resort & Golf Club in Chuong My district (60 minutes from Hanoi) earns its position among the best golf courses in Hanoi purely on aesthetics. The Lake Course plays through a valley framed by limestone karsts that look like they were transported from Ha Long Bay. Holes 5–8 are the highlight — your tee shots carry over water to fairways backed by sheer cliff faces. Green fees: $65–100. The course is quieter than Kings Island, so weekend tee times are easier to secure. See our Sky Lake Golf Review for full details.
#4 Van Tri: Best Value Golf Course in Hanoi
Van Tri Golf Club wins the value equation — 30 minutes from downtown Hanoi, $45–75 green fee, wide forgiving fairways, and a clubhouse that punches above its weight. It’s where Hanoi’s business community plays weekday mornings (tee times before 7 AM are packed), and it’s the course I recommend first to visitors with limited time. The 18-hole layout by Peter Barwis doesn’t have the dramatic elevation of Kings Island, but every hole is honestly challenging without being punishing. Read our Van Tri Golf Club Review.
Best Hanoi Golf Trip: 3-Day Recommended Itinerary
| Day | Course | Why | After Golf |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Van Tri (AM) | Warm-up, closest to city | Old Quarter exploration |
| Day 2 | BRG Kings Island (full day) | Play Lakeside AM + Mountain PM | Dong Mo Lake sunset |
| Day 3 | Sky Lake (AM) | Scenic finale, karst views | Airport or Ha Long Bay transfer |
This 3-day loop covers the three best courses for $190–295 total in green fees — less than one round at most Japanese courses. Book our Hanoi Golf Package 5 Days for the full itinerary with hotels and transfers.
Hanoi vs Da Nang: Which City for Golf?
Both are excellent — but they serve different golfers. Da Nang has links courses, ocean views, and warmer weather year-round. Hanoi has mountain courses, cooler autumn/winter temperatures (18–25°C October–December vs 28–34°C in Da Nang), and lower prices. My honest take: play Da Nang for your first Vietnam trip, play Hanoi for your second. Or do both — read our Da Nang vs Hanoi Golf comparison.
🏌️ Dave’s Take: If I had to play only ONE course near Hanoi, it’s BRG Kings Island Lakeside. The Nicklaus design, the lake setting, the conditioning — it’s the closest thing to a US PGA Tour venue I’ve found in Vietnam. But for pure value, Van Tri at $45 on a Tuesday morning is unbeatable.
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The broader destination context is covered well by the national tourism board’s golf page.