Is Hoiana Shores Worth the Green Fee? An Honest Golfer’s Guide

Yes, for most golfers, Hoiana Shores is worth the green fee.

While it is one of the more expensive golf courses in Central Vietnam, the combination of world-class links-style golf, exceptional course conditioning, oceanfront scenery, and a premium resort environment makes it a worthwhile investment for golfers seeking a high-quality golf holiday.

That does not mean it is the right choice for everyone.

Golfers who prioritise the lowest possible green fee or simply want to play as many rounds as possible during a trip may find better value elsewhere. However, golfers looking for a memorable golf experience rather than the cheapest round are often glad they included Hoiana Shores in their itinerary.

In our experience, many visitors finish their Central Vietnam golf trip talking more about Hoiana Shores than any other course they played.

The real question is not whether Hoiana Shores costs more.

The real question is whether the experience justifies the premium.

Quick Facts About Hoiana Shores Golf Club

Quick Answer

If your goal is to experience one of Vietnam’s most highly regarded golf courses, Hoiana Shores is usually worth the green fee.

How Much Does Hoiana Shores Cost?

Hoiana Shores sits at the premium end of the Central Vietnam golf market.

At the time of writing, the standard rate is approximately VND 7,500,000 per golfer, or roughly USD 290–300 (effective October 2025 – September 2026).

The green fee typically includes:

• 18-hole round
• Shared golf cart
• Private caddie
• Practice facilities before play
• Food and beverage credit

Compared with courses such as Montgomerie Links or BRG Da Nang Golf Resort, Hoiana Shores is generally positioned at a higher price point.

However, comparing green fees alone rarely tells the full story.

Hoiana Shores is not competing to be the cheapest course in Central Vietnam. It is competing to be one of the best golf experiences in the region.

That distinction is important when deciding whether the price represents good value.

What Are You Actually Paying For?

When golfers see a green fee approaching USD 300, the natural question is:

“What exactly am I getting for that money?”

The answer goes well beyond the golf course itself.

Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., Hoiana Shores is built on a spectacular stretch of coastline south of Hoi An. Wide fairways, sandy waste areas, rolling dunes, and constantly changing sea breezes create a style of golf that feels noticeably different from most resort courses in Vietnam.

Golfers who enjoy strategic golf often appreciate Hoiana more than golfers who simply want a forgiving resort round. Wind direction can completely change how a hole is played from one day to the next, which helps make the course feel fresh even for repeat visitors.

Course conditioning is another major part of the value proposition.

Fairways, greens, bunkers, and practice facilities are consistently maintained to a high standard. Many golfers consider Hoiana one of the most consistently presented golf courses in Vietnam.

The caddie experience also contributes significantly to the overall quality of the round. Experienced caddies often provide useful guidance on wind conditions, landing areas, and club selection throughout the day.

Beyond golf, Hoiana benefits from being part of a larger resort destination. Golfers are not simply arriving at a standalone golf club. They are visiting a property that combines accommodation, dining, entertainment, beach access, and leisure facilities.

This is one reason Hoiana is regularly mentioned among the best golf resorts in Central Vietnam.

A significant portion of the green fee pays for the complete golf experience rather than simply access to the golf course.

What Makes Hoiana Shores a Real Links Course?

Several elements help distinguish Hoiana Shores from a typical resort course in Asia:

Firm and Fast Fairways

The ball rolls considerably more than on most tropical golf courses in Vietnam.

Coastal Winds

Wind becomes a major strategic factor, especially during afternoon rounds.

Open Landscapes

There are very few tree-lined corridors, which creates a more exposed playing environment.

Ground-Game Golf

Players can use bump-and-run shots more often instead of relying purely on aerial approaches.

Natural Sand Dunes

The terrain feels organic rather than artificially shaped.

This combination is why many golfers consider Hoiana Shores one of the best links golf course in Vietnam experiences currently available.

For golfers unfamiliar with links golf, one common mistake is underestimating the wind. Club selection often becomes more important than distance alone.

Signature Holes: Hole 16 & Hole 18

Hole 16 — Coastal Challenge

Hole 16 is one of the most visually memorable holes on the property.

Depending on wind direction, club selection can change dramatically from one day to another. During strong coastal winds, even experienced golfers may need to adjust strategy significantly.

The hole also highlights the exposed oceanfront setting that defines much of the course.

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Hole 18 — Strong Finishing Hole

The closing hole provides a demanding finish without feeling unfair.

Strategic bunkering and wind exposure place pressure on both tee shots and approach play, especially late in the afternoon when conditions become more difficult.

The atmosphere near the clubhouse also adds energy to the final stretch.

Course Conditions, Caddies & Playing Experience

One reason many returning golfers rate Hoiana Shores highly is the consistency of course conditioning.

From our experience, the maintenance standards are among the best in Central Vietnam, particularly:

• bunker quality
• green consistency
• fairway firmness
• overall presentation

The caddie team is also generally well-trained and experienced with international guests.

Compared with some resort courses where rounds can feel crowded, Hoiana Shores often provides a calmer pace of play, especially during weekday mornings.

Another small detail many travelers appreciate is the overall clubhouse atmosphere. The facilities feel modern without becoming overly formal or intimidating.

Golfers looking for a premium coastal golf resort in Hoi An experience often place Hoiana Shores near the top of their itinerary.

Why Many Golfers Think It’s Worth It

Ask golfers who have played Hoiana Shores why they would happily pay the green fee again, and the answers tend to be surprisingly similar.

The first reason is uniqueness.

Central Vietnam has several excellent golf courses, but Hoiana Shores offers a style of golf that stands apart from most of them. For golfers visiting from Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia, or Europe, that uniqueness often becomes part of the appeal.

The second reason is the overall experience.

Many golfers arrive expecting a golf course and leave feeling that they have visited a golf destination. The combination of the course, resort facilities, beachfront setting, and service standards creates an experience that extends beyond the round itself.

This is particularly true for golfers choosing (stay-and-play packages at Hoiana Shores) rather than simply driving in for a day of golf.

Another reason is challenge.

Hoiana rewards thoughtful golf. Wind conditions change regularly, angles matter, and players often need to think their way around the course rather than simply relying on distance.

Many golfers remember Hoiana not because they played their best golf there, but because it challenged them in a way that other courses on the trip did not.

For golfers planning multi-course golf holidays in Central Vietnam, Hoiana Shores is often the course that stands out most when the trip is over.

Many golfers consider Hoiana Shores worth the green fee because it delivers an experience they cannot easily find elsewhere in Vietnam.

Who Will Think It’s Worth the Green Fee?

Hoiana Shores is usually a good choice for golfers who:

• Appreciate links-style golf
• Enjoy strategic golf rather than target golf
• Value course conditioning
• Prefer quality over quantity
• Want to experience one of Vietnam’s most highly regarded courses
• Are staying at Hoiana Resort
• Have already played several other courses in Central Vietnam and want something different

The course is particularly appealing to golfers who view golf as the centrepiece of the trip rather than simply one activity among many.

For these golfers, Hoiana often becomes the highlight round.

Who Might Prefer Other Courses?

Hoiana Shores may not be the ideal choice for everyone.

Golfers primarily focused on budget often find stronger value elsewhere.

High-handicap golfers who prefer forgiving resort golf may enjoy courses with less wind exposure and fewer strategic demands.

Golfers staying exclusively in Da Nang and playing multiple rounds over a short period may also prefer courses closer to the city.

If you’re comparing the region’s two most talked-about golf experiences, see which is better: Hoiana Shores or Ba Na Hills?

The answer depends less on which course is “better” and more on which style of golf you personally enjoy.

A Few Things First-Time Visitors Often Miss

If you’re playing Hoiana Shores for the first time, try to arrive earlier than you normally would.

Many golfers underestimate how useful the practice facilities can be before a round. Spending time warming up and getting a feel for the wind conditions often helps far more here than it does at a typical resort course.

Another detail that many first-time visitors never discover is the optional Hole 19 experience.

Not every golfer automatically plays it, and many visitors do not even realise it exists until after their round is over.

If you’re interested, mention it to your caddie before finishing the 18th hole.

It may seem like a small detail, but it is one of those unique touches that many golfers remember long after the trip has ended.

Arriving early and asking about Hole 19 are two simple ways to get even more value from your Hoiana Shores experience.

Tips Before Playing Hoiana Shores

Bring Extra Golf Balls

Coastal winds can become surprisingly strong.

Choose Morning Tee Times if Possible

Conditions are usually calmer and cooler.

Prepare for Wind Strategy

Shot shaping matters more here than at many resort courses.

Dress for Heat

Central Vietnam can become very humid during summer months.

Understand Vietnam Caddie Culture

Caddie tipping is common and generally appreciated.

Our Verdict

Hoiana Shores is not the cheapest golf course in Central Vietnam, and it is not trying to be.

Golfers looking for the lowest green fee or the shortest transfer time can find better value elsewhere.

However, golfers seeking a premium golf experience will struggle to find another course in Vietnam that combines links-style golf, oceanfront scenery, resort facilities, and overall conditioning at the same level.

If your goal is to play the best-value round, there are cheaper options. If your goal is to play one of the most memorable rounds in Vietnam, Hoiana Shores is usually worth the green fee.

For many visitors, Hoiana becomes the highlight of  golf holidays in Central Vietnam and remains the course they talk about long after the trip is over.

Golfers looking to maximise the experience often find that Hoiana Shores stay-and-play packages provide the best overall balance of golf, convenience, and resort enjoyment.

Frequently Asked Questions