Andy Devaney
When Rick Shiels turns up with a camera, a smile, and a seven-iron, the golf world pays attention. And when he lands in Central Vietnam, you can bet the fairways are about to trend. The Vietnam Golf Coast, long whispered about among travelling golfers, has officially gone global — and it didn’t need a marketing team to make it happen. Just a few swings from golf’s biggest digital names.
The British pro turned YouTube juggernaut swapped drizzle for tropical sunshine at Ba Na Hills Golf Club, the Luke Donald design that’s become the crown jewel of the region. Alongside him, Gabi Powel—the long-drive star who hits it like she’s mad at it—brought some American flair and 200,000-plus fans along for the ride.
They weren’t alone. The convoy of content creators also included Korea’s Mr. Doha, America’s Ms. Judy, Singapore’s Becca De Foe, and Aussie coach Kerrod Gray. Between them, their feeds reached millions, showing off the Vietnam Golf Coast in all its cinematic glory — mountains draped in mist, greens carved through jungle, and hospitality that could talk a monk into another round.
Perched above Danang’s forested hills, Ba Na Hills Golf Club has collected more World Golf Awards than a tour pro collects excuses. Designed by Donald, maintained by IMG, and revered by anyone lucky enough to play it, the course has become the heartbeat of Vietnam’s golf revival.
But golf is just the opening act. The Vietnam Golf Coast wraps its fairways in Michelin-starred dining, white-sand beaches, and UNESCO heritage stops like Hoi An and Hue. Throw in luxury spas and resorts that practically purr when you arrive, and you start to understand why this stretch of coast is giving Thailand and Bali a run for their money.
Simon Mees, the unflappable General Manager at Ba Na Hills, put it neatly:
“To welcome internationally recognised golf influencers such as Rick Shiels and Gabi Powel is a proud moment for Ba Na Hills Golf Club and for the Vietnam Golf Coast as a whole.
Their presence highlights the exceptional quality of our courses and the rich mix of leisure, dining, and cultural experiences that make Central Vietnam one of the world’s most compelling destinations.”
He’s not wrong. With new direct flights connecting Vietnam to major cities across Asia, Australia, and Europe, Central Vietnam has never been easier—or more tempting—to reach. And thanks to Shiels, Powel, and company, millions now know what insiders have been saying for years: the Vietnam Golf Coast isn’t the next big thing. It’s already arrived.
