Greg Norman has given golfers a tempting new reason to consider Vietnam as a holiday destination.
The Shark has put his design stamp on a lot of golf courses around the world, but he says the 87th and latest - The Bluffs, Ho Tram Strip - is a bit special.
Industry insiders at the recent official opening agreed, suggesting it will rank among the best courses in Asia.
The Bluffs is a links course and undeniably spectacular, winding through and over large dunes, with many big elevation changes and sweeping views of the nearby coastline and South China Sea.
Norman likens the site to the quality and character of the land where he designed the acclaimed Doonbeg course in southern Ireland.
"Quite honestly, when you have a piece of property this good, it's pretty hard to screw it up," he said.
"I'm extremely pleased and proud at how it's turned out."
More adventurous golfers have been heading to Vietnam for years, enjoying the different cultural experience, but more recently the focus has been on the country's central coast, where the Norman-designed The Dunes at Danang Golf Club and the Montgomerie Links have led the way.
The Bluffs is much further south, a drive of about 2-3 hours south east of Ho Chi Minh City, in an area being opened up for tourism development.
It's a region Australia knew for very different reasons when its forces were based there during the Vietnam War.
The Bluffs is a major drawcard for a new resort, featuring a vast 541-room luxury beachfront hotel, complete with casino - The Grand, Ho Tram Strip.
For now, there's not a lot else for tourists in the immediate vicinity.
However, the resort itself has plenty to keep even non-golfers happy for a few days.
The beach with a gentle surf offers water sports, the large pool complex fronting the beach is perfect for relaxing, there's spa and gym facilities inside, plus a nightclub, several restaurants and what's said to be Vietnam's largest casino with hundreds of slot machines and 90 gaming tables.
The Grand is a beautifully-appointed hotel, with fine views of the coastline and ocean from rooms on one side, and the golf course on the other.
It also has one curious architectural oddity. The lifts to the rooms must be at least 150 metres away from the lobby - the walk, perhaps not coincidentally, taking guests past the casino entrance.
But for golfers it's all about the course.
At 7007 yards (6407m) from the back tees, it's not overly-long by modern standards, but it's a mighty test for pros and hackers alike for several reasons.
Wind - six months from one direction, six months from the opposite - is a near-constant challenge.
The many elevation changes - 50m above sea level is top - also make judging distances testing.
It's not a course many will want to walk because of the heat and the distance between some tees, but carts and the course's small army of local female caddies make it easier.
And at the end of the round there's a cold beer waiting along with magnificent views from the clubhouse terrace back down the 18th hole to the hotel and coastline beyond.
GETTING THERE
A free shuttle bus runs between Ho Chi Minh City and The Grand Ho Tram Strip.
STAYING THERE
Rooms at The Grand Ho Tram Strip start from about $A300 per night. Check at thegrandhotramstip.com for booking details.
PLAYING THERE
Visitors' green fees for 18 holes, Monday to Friday, are approximately $A250. On Saturday and Sunday it's about $288.
*The writer was guest of The Bluffs
Source: AAP
