For years, Central Vietnam has been the kind of destination golfers whisper about—the sort of place that seems almost too cinematic to be real. Mist spilling over mountainsides. Fairways carved through ancient forest. Courses that feel suspended between the earth and the clouds. This autumn, that quiet reputation went global.

Some of the world’s most influential golf creators—names with digital reach that rivals small TV networks—descended on the Ba Na Hills Golf Club to discover what golfers across Asia have long known: the Vietnam Golf Coast is no longer an emerging destination. It’s a fully realised one.

The YouTubers, Power Hitters, and Storytellers Arrive

Among the headliners was Rick Shiels, the British PGA professional whose YouTube channel has become required viewing for golfers everywhere. With millions of subscribers, Shiels’ blend of instruction, equipment reviews, and charismatic playalongs has shaped a new generation of golf media. His arrival in Danang was more than a visit—it was a signal flare.

Joining him was Gabi Powel, the American long-drive competitor whose mix of athletic power and media savvy has helped her amass more than 200,000 followers. Known for her bold personality and booming swing, Powel brought a different kind of electricity to the landscape.

They were part of a broader cohort that reads like the international index of modern golf creators: Korean golfer Mr. Doha; American content maker Ms. Judy; Singapore-based golfer Becca De Foe; and Australian coach Kerrod Gray. Individually, they command loyal communities. Together, they introduced millions to the lush, mountainous drama of Central Vietnam’s golf scene.

A Course Designed for Drama

The group spent their time on the fairways of Ba Na Hills Golf Club, a course designed by Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald and managed by IMG. It’s a layout that rewards strategy, tempts aggression, and—judging by the influencers’ posts—looks almost impossibly photogenic under shifting coastal light.

The course has earned multiple World Golf Awards for design, challenge, and conditioning, but accolades tell only part of the story. In person, Ba Na Hills feels like a pilgrimage site for golfers: steep valley views, fairways wrapped in silent forest, greens framed by rugged mountain shoulders. It is both a test and a spectacle, which helps explain why players from around the world now treat it as a bucket-list stop.

Beyond the Scorecard

But even the finest course is only one chapter of the region’s appeal. Central Vietnam has built an entire lifestyle ecosystem around the game.

Between rounds, visitors drift toward Danang’s white-sand beaches, slip into exceptional spas, or explore a dining scene that now includes Michelin-accoladed restaurants. A short drive delivers them to UNESCO-listed sites: Hoi An Ancient Town, glowing gold at dusk, or the moody Imperial City of Hue, where history drifts through palace walls.

It’s a rare trifecta in Asia—sport, heritage, and luxury woven seamlessly together.

“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,” said Simon Mees, General Manager of Ba Na Hills Golf Club. “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.”

A Destination Ready for the World

Momentum is on Vietnam’s side. New direct air links from Asia, Australia, and Europe have removed the barriers that once made the region feel remote. Today, Danang is as easy to reach as Phuket or Bali—and for golf lovers, considerably more surprising.

With each post, reel, and vlog shared by these global creators, more travelers discover what locals already know: the Vietnam Golf Coast isn’t just a place to play. It’s a place to linger. To wander. To experience the kind of golf trip where culture is as vivid as the course conditions.

And at the heart of this rising global attention stands Ba Na Hills Golf Club, a mountain-framed masterpiece proving that Vietnam’s moment in golf has already arrived—and it’s just getting started.