Mong Cai International Golf Club is an 18-hole, par-72 course in Tra Co, Mong Cai, Quang Ninh Province, right on Vietnam’s northeastern border with China. Designed by Pacific Coast Design and opened in 2008, it is widely described as Vietnam’s first true coastal links course, built directly along roughly 3 kilometers of beachfront on a 200-hectare site.
| Location | Tra Co, Mong Cai, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam |
| Designer | Pacific Coast Design |
| Holes / Par | 18 holes, par 72 |
| Length | Up to 7,204 yards from the black tees; other tees from 5,316 to 6,700 yards |
| Course Type | Coastal links course along the beach, with separate practice and championship layouts |
| Opened | 2008 |
| Caddie / Cart | Caddie required; golf carts available |
| Facilities | Driving range, pro shop, restaurant, villas/accommodation, night golf, spa |
| Distance from Hanoi | About 4-5 hours via the Hanoi – Hai Phong – Van Don – Mong Cai expressway |
Mong Cai International Golf Club: Vietnam’s Border-Town Links Course
Tucked into the far northeastern corner of Vietnam in Tra Co, Mong Cai, this course sits closer to the Chinese border than to any other golf destination in the country. Opened in 2008 and designed by Pacific Coast Design, it was built directly on a stretch of coastline roughly 3 kilometers long, earning its reputation as Vietnam’s first genuine seaside links layout rather than a resort course that simply overlooks the water.
The 18-hole, par-72 layout actually comprises two separate nines used flexibly for practice and for tournament play, spread across a 200-hectare property. Yardage figures vary a little by source and tee, from around 5,316 yards up to 7,204 yards from the back tees, which is typical for a course offering multiple tee options for different skill levels.
Being built straight onto open coastal land means the course is exposed to the kind of “constant change direction” sea winds that define true links golf: club selection has to account for wind far more than for hazards carved into the terrain. Paspalum grass on both greens and fairways was chosen specifically for its tolerance of the sandy, salt-exposed coastal environment.
Because of its remote border location, Mong Cai International Golf Club tends to draw golfers already traveling to the Mong Cai-Dongxing border crossing or looking for a genuinely different links experience away from the more clustered courses around Ha Long Bay and Hai Phong.
Location and Map – Mong Cai International Golf Club
Mong Cai International Golf Club is located in Tra Co Ward, Mong Cai City, Quang Ninh Province, about 4-5 hours by expressway from Hanoi.
Golfers combining a Ha Long Bay golf trip with a run up to the border can pair a round here with FLC Ha Long Bay Golf Club further south along the coast.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How many holes does Mong Cai International Golf Club have?
18 holes, par 72, split across two layouts used for practice and championship play.
2. Who designed Mong Cai International Golf Club?
Pacific Coast Design, opened in 2008.
3. How far is Mong Cai International Golf Club from Hanoi?
About 4-5 hours by car via the Hanoi – Hai Phong – Van Don – Mong Cai expressway.
4. What makes Mong Cai International Golf Club different from other courses near Ha Long Bay?
It is built directly along the coastline, making it one of the few true links-style courses in Vietnam, with constant sea winds that strongly affect club selection.
5. What grass is used on the course?
Paspalum grass on both the greens and fairways, chosen for its tolerance of the sandy, salt-exposed coastal environment.
