The morning I teed off at Dalat Palace, it was 18°C — hoodie weather in Vietnam, if you can believe it. That’s the magic of this Dalat golf guide: colonial-era courses at 1,500 meters elevation where you play in conditions that feel more like San Francisco than Southeast Asia.
Dalat hosts 4 golf courses, anchored by the legendary Dalat Palace Golf Club — originally built in 1922, making it the oldest golf course in Southeast Asia. This Dalat golf guide covers each course, pricing, the best season to play, and why the highlands deserve a slot on your Vietnam golf itinerary.
At a glance:
- Courses: 4 (1 historic championship + 3 resort-level)
- Highlight: Dalat Palace Golf Club (est. 1922, redesigned 1994)
- Green fee range: $60–$90 per round (caddie included)
- Temperature: 15–25°C year-round (coolest golf in Vietnam)
- Getting there: 1-hour flight from HCMC or Da Nang
Dalat Golf Courses: Complete Listings
| Course | Holes | Green Fee | Est. | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dalat Palace Golf Club | 18 (Par 72) | $60–90 | 1922 | 8.5/10 |
| SAM Tuyen Lam Golf | 18 | $50–80 | 2014 | 7.5/10 |
| Dalat 1200 Golf | 9 | $25–40 | 2018 | 6.5/10 |
| Sacom Dalat | 18 | $45–70 | 2010 | 7.0/10 |
⛳ Dave’s Scorecard — Dalat Palace: Layout: 8/10 | Conditioning: 8/10 | Value: 8/10 | Vibes: 10/10 (the 100-year history alone earns full marks)
Dalat Palace Golf Club: A Course with History
Emperor Bao Dai played here in the 1930s. The course hosted Vietnam’s first golf tournament in 1956. Redesigned by IMG in 1994, today’s Dalat Palace plays 7,009 yards through pine forests and beside Xuan Huong Lake. The elevation (1,500m) means your ball flies 5-10% farther than sea level — adjust your club selection accordingly. This Dalat golf guide’s must-play: the par-4 ninth, a sharp dogleg left with the lake on your right and pine trees framing the green.
When to Play Golf in Dalat
Year-round. That’s the Dalat golf guide advantage — no bad season. Temperatures range 15-25°C consistently. December through March is driest and coolest (morning frost possible). June through September sees afternoon showers but mornings are clear. The pine-scented air at 6:30 AM is reason enough to visit.
Getting to Dalat for Golf
Lien Khuong Airport (DLI) receives flights from HCMC (55 min, $25-50) and Da Nang (1h, $30-60). Airport is 30 km from Dalat city — taxi $12 or hotel shuttle. Private driver in Dalat: $35-45/day.
⛳ Dave’s Practical Tip: Dalat’s cool weather is perfect for non-golf activities too. GetYourGuide has great countryside tours and canyoning experiences for your travel companions while you hit the fairways.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there golf in Dalat Vietnam?
Yes, Dalat has 4 golf courses including the historic Dalat Palace Golf Club (est. 1922), the oldest course in Southeast Asia. This Dalat golf guide covers all options from $25 to $90 per round.
What makes Dalat special for golf?
Cool highland temperatures (15-25°C year-round), pine forest scenery, and the historic Dalat Palace course built in 1922. It’s the only place in Vietnam where you might need a sweater on the course.
How do I get to Dalat from Da Nang?
Direct flights from Da Nang to Dalat take 1 hour and cost $30-60. VietJet and Bamboo Airways operate daily routes.
📍 Explore more: Vietnam golf destinations guide →
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Dalat Golf: Weather & What to Pack
Dalat sits at 1,500m elevation — temperatures range 15-25°C year-round, a welcome escape from Vietnam’s coastal heat. Mornings start cool (15-18°C) with mist that clears by 9 AM. Bring a light fleece or windbreaker for the first 4-5 holes. Rain gear is optional — Dalat’s “rain” is usually light mist that doesn’t impact play. The thin mountain air means balls fly 10% further, so club down on approach shots. Dalat Palace Golf Club’s colonial-era clubhouse offers hot Vietnamese coffee between nines — the best mid-round pick-me-up in the country.
Dalat Golf Courses Beyond the Palace
While Dalat Palace is the star, SAM Tuyen Lam Golf Club offers a modern alternative — 18 holes designed by IMG, green fees $50-80, with lake and pine forest views. For a full Dalat golf weekend, play Dalat Palace Saturday and SAM Tuyen Lam Sunday. Both courses are within 20 minutes of Dalat’s center. Total weekend cost including hotel: $300-500 per person — unbeatable value for mountain golf at this altitude.