NovaWorld Phan Thiet is a landmark integrated resort development spanning over 1,000 hectares along Vietnam’s southeastern coastline, approximately 200km east of Ho Chi Minh City.
Ben Styles, Executive Director at 54 Vietnam, lifts the lid on the vibrant destination designed to offer residential living, lifestyle experiences, and entertainment, while redefining luxury and leisure in the region.
GBN: Can you tell us a bit about NovaWorld Phan Thiet and what it offers?
Ben Styles: NovaWorld Phan Thiet is a flagship, large-scale lifestyle and resort development located in Binh Thuan Province, just east of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It combines world-class golf with a vibrant resort setting that includes hotels, leisure amenities, theme parks, and extensive outdoor experiences. Designed as a mixed-use destination that blends golf, nature, wellness, dining, and entertainment, the project aims to attract both international travellers and domestic visitors.
From a golfing perspective, can you tell us about the offering?
NovaWorld Phan Thiet provides year-round access to two championship-calibre courses designed by Greg Norman and offering distinct playing experiences. The Ocean Course, which opened in 2021, is a tropical links-style layout which offers panoramic views over the East Sea, with all 18 holes winding between a mix of parkland and links-style land, with rugged bunkers lined with native grass and undulating fairways. It contrasts beautifully with the Garden Course, a lush parkland design featuring expansive landscapes and water features that opened in 2022.
The resort also features an international golf academy led by PGA Professional and General Manager Stephen Fenn, complemented by exceptional practice facilities.
From an industry perspective, what makes it special and where does it stand as a project in the local and regional sense?
NovaWorld Phan Thiet stands out as a premier golf destination positioned at the heart of a broader, integrated resort development. Its scale, design quality, and seamless connection with lifestyle, residential, and leisure components make it unique in the region. The project places a strong emphasis on sustainability and long-term value creation. Regionally, it reinforces Vietnam’s position as an emerging golf powerhouse -offering a credible, value-driven product that complements neighboring markets while showcasing Vietnam’s distinctive hospitality and course design excellence.
What markets are you targeting in terms of visitors to the resort?
We’re seeing a wealth of exciting opportunities emerging across the market. There’s strong and growing domestic and regional demand for golf and leisure breaks, reflecting broader lifestyle and travel trends across Asia. Investor confidence in Vietnam’s tourism and hospitality infrastructure continues to strengthen, creating favourable conditions for new developments and partnerships.
We also see major potential in expanding multi-use offerings such as corporate retreats, weddings, and other business and leisure events, as well as forming strategic collaborations with the travel, aviation, and MICE sectors to broaden our reach. Moreover, the increasing appetite for experiential, wellness-focused, and sustainable resort experiences aligns perfectly with our long-term vision and evolving guest expectations.
What challenges might NovaWorld be facing?
Like any fast-growing destination, NovaWorld Phan Thiet faces certain challenges — but we view these as opportunities to enhance our long-term strength. Global travel volatility and currency fluctuations encourage us to remain agile and diversify our markets. As we continue to scale, maintaining premium service standards and course quality drives continuous investment in training, technology, and operational excellence.
Healthy competition from other regional golf and resort destinations motivates us to keep innovating and elevating our guest experience. Navigating regulatory and permitting processes also provides opportunities to deepen our collaboration with local authorities. Finally, talent development remains a top priority, as nurturing skilled professionals supports both NovaWorld’s growth and Vietnam’s broader hospitality and tourism ecosystem.
Can you tell us about the development of the project and what the long-term plan is?
NovaWorld Phan Thiet forms a key part of NovaGroup’s long-term strategy to create integrated, multi-purpose leisure and residential communities across Vietnam. The project has progressed through several phases – from master planning and infrastructure development to the opening of key resort and golf components. Today, it continues to expand in line with market demand, with active course operations, hospitality offerings, and ongoing development designed to enhance the guest experience and attract both regional and international visitors.
Vietnam appears to be thriving in terms of golf, can you give us an insight into the transformation?
Vietnam has rapidly evolved into one of Asia’s most credible and exciting golf destinations. The country now boasts an impressive portfolio of high-quality courses, professional management standards, and a growing community of local and international players. Improvements in tourism infrastructure, accessibility, and hospitality standards have further supported this growth.
Combined with favorable year-round weather, competitive value, and Vietnam’s rich cultural appeal, golf tourism has become a key driver in positioning the country as a must-visit destination for golfers seeking both sport and discovery.
What is being done on a government and commercial level to support this growth?
Both government and commercial initiatives are playing vital roles in supporting the continued growth of Vietnam’s tourism and hospitality sector. On the government side, strong policy support for tourism development is being reinforced by major infrastructure upgrades – including airports, highways, and regional connectivity projects—alongside targeted investment incentives designed to attract international visitors and developers. There is also a clear focus on sustainability and ensuring that growth delivers meaningful benefits to local communities.
From the commercial perspective, collaboration between developers, operators, and hospitality brands is deepening, with substantial private-sector investment in course enhancement, staff training, and premium facilities. Strategic marketing partnerships are broadening Vietnam’s reach in regional and international markets, while an increasingly active calendar of tournaments and events continues to raise the country’s profile as a leading golf and leisure destination.
For more details, visit novagolfclubs.com