Yen Bai Star Golf & Resort

⛳ Yen Bai Star Golf & Resort — The first 27-hole international-standard golf course in Vietnam's Northwest, a masterpiece by Australian architect Peter John Waddell, opened April 2024 on 210 hectares.

Yen Bai Star Golf Location

Yen Bai Star Golf & Resort is situated in Minh Quan Commune, Tran Yen District, Yen Bai Province — adjacent to the famous Dam Hau Lake system (99-channel lake) and the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway. This is a strategic "touchpoint" on the Northern Vietnam golf corridor, connecting Hanoi with the Northwest highland provinces.

• From Hanoi: ~140–145 km, only 90–120 minutes via Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway, exit at IC12
• From Yen Bai City center: ~15–20 minutes
• North: Adjacent to Binh Tra Hamlet and Yen Bai City bypass road
• East: Dam Hau Lake system (99 channels) — utilized as natural scenery and water hazards
• West: Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway — ensuring rapid access

Thanks to modern infrastructure, Yen Bai is becoming an ideal stop for golf tours connecting Hanoi – Lao Cai – Ha Giang, easing pressure on courses in the Hanoi and Vinh Phuc areas.

Course Design — "Respect for Nature" Philosophy

The soul of Yen Bai Star Golf lies in the design of Australian architect Peter John Waddell — a leading expert whose philosophy is to maximally respect nature and minimize粗暴 intervention in the terrain. Across 210 hectares of both steep hills and intertwined lakes, Waddell created a zigzag layout — an unmistakable signature feature.

Fairways are not straight but wind along hillsides, creating soft curves that conceal countless challenges. This design not only preserves the rich vegetation of the Northwest but also forces golfers to carefully calculate strategy on every shot.

All fairway and green surfaces use Platinum Paspalum — a premium grass variety with salt tolerance, shade tolerance, and reduced need for chemical pesticides, helping protect the Dam Hau Lake ecosystem.

Technical Specifications & 27-Hole System

Yen Bai Star Golf is one of the few 27-hole courses in Northern Vietnam, divided into 3 nine-hole loops with distinct characteristics:

Green Fee & Service Pricing

Standard green fees include Green Fee, Caddy Fee, and shared Buggy Fee (2 players per buggy). Below is the 2024–2025 reference pricing:

Rental Services

• Rental Club Set: 500,000 VND/set
• Practice Balls: 100,000 VND/100 balls
• Practice Coupon: 2,000,000 VND/5,000 balls

Membership Packages

Short-term memberships from 3 months to 1 year at 5,000,000 – 16,000,000 VND, suitable for local and regional golfers.

Note: These are reference prices subject to seasonal changes and promotions. Contact WinGolf for exact quotes and exclusive deals.

World-Class Facilities & Infrastructure

• 🏢 10,000m² Clubhouse (3 Floors): Floor 1 — parking and internal operations. Floor 2 — grand reception lobby, 4-star restaurant seating 500, modern Pro-shop, locker rooms with Jacuzzi and Sauna. Floor 3 — conference center & wedding hall seating up to 2,000 guests.
• 🏨 5-Star Hotel: 127 rooms with modern design and high-end interiors reflecting Vietnamese cultural aesthetics.
• 🏡 Resort Villas: Dozens of hillside villas in "mountain-backed, water-facing" style, each with private swimming pool and garden.
• ⛳ Golf Practice Range: 280-yard driving range with spacious bays. Chip, putt, and bunker practice areas simulate actual course conditions to familiarize players with grass speed and slope before the real round.
• 🌿 Environmental Commitment: Strict tree conservation — every relocated cinnamon or palm tree is replanted. Platinum Paspalum grass requires fewer chemicals, protecting the Dam Hau Lake ecosystem.

Golf Tips for Yen Bai Star

• 1. Warm up thoroughly at the practice range: The 280-yard range with chip, putt, and bunker simulation is the perfect tool to get familiar with Platinum Paspalum before hitting the course.
• 2. Choose the right tee: With Slope 139 from the Gold tees, this is an extreme challenge. Average golfers should select White (Slope 128) or Blue (Slope 134) tees for an enjoyable round.
• 3. Calculate on zigzag fairways: Winding hillside fairways require careful approach-angle planning. Don't just aim for distance — think about your next lie.
• 4. Beware of water hazards on the Tea Course: Island holes on Dam Hau Lake demand absolute focus. Some golfers have lost up to 20 balls in a single round here.
• 5. Take advantage of Early Tee-off: From 1,250,000 VND saves significantly while avoiding midday heat and enjoying Yen Bai's fresh morning air.
• 6. Combine with Stay & Play: With a 5-star hotel and hillside villas, turn your trip into a 2-day, 1-night vacation rather than a day trip.

Frequently Asked Questions — Yen Bai Star Golf

How many holes does the course have? Can I play 9, 18, or 27 holes?

Yen Bai Star is a 27-hole course (Par 108) divided into 3 nine-hole loops: Cinnamon Course (A), Palm Course (B), and Tea Course (C). You can play 9 holes, 18 holes (combining 2 loops), or the full 27 holes depending on your time and stamina.

How long does it take to get there from Hanoi? Is there an expressway?

Just 90–120 minutes (140–145 km) via the Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway, exiting at IC12. This is one of the closest 27-hole resort courses to Hanoi, convenient for both day trips and extended stays.

Is this course difficult? What handicap should I have?

With a Slope 139 from the Gold tees, this is one of the most challenging courses in Northern Vietnam. Beginners should choose White (Slope 128) or Red (Slope 129) tees. Zigzag fairways, sloped greens, and numerous water hazards demand both power and strategy.

Are club rental and buggy services available?

Yes. The course provides rental club sets at 500,000 VND/set, buggies (included in green fee as shared 2-player buggy), and professional caddies. Practice balls and coupons are also available.

Does the resort have a hotel and restaurant?

Yes. The 10,000m² clubhouse features a 4-star restaurant seating 500. The resort includes a 5-star hotel with 127 rooms and dozens of hillside villas with private pools. Perfect for Stay & Play packages.

Should I book in advance? How far ahead?

Yes, book at least 1–2 weeks in advance for weekends to secure preferred tee-times. Through WinGolf, you receive confirmation within 15 minutes plus detailed weather advice for the Yen Bai mountain region.

What is the best season to play at Yen Bai Star?

Autumn (September–November) is the golden period with clear skies, minimal rain, and pleasant temperatures. Spring (March–May) brings lush greenery but possible drizzle. Summer temperatures are 2–4°C cooler than Hanoi thanks to Dam Hau Lake. Winter morning mist creates the magical feeling of playing among the clouds.

3 Signature Nine-Hole Loops: Cinnamon — Palm — Tea

The course is divided into three nine-hole loops, each reflecting a signature local plant — a clever approach integrating regional cultural identity into the golf experience:

Cinnamon Course (A): Mountain Terrain Challenge

Showcasing the hilliest characteristics of Tran Yen. Fairways hug hillsides in a zigzag pattern. Most tee positions are elevated, offering spectacular views but making ball trajectory control unpredictable in wind. Rows of green cinnamon trees serve as natural rough barriers while releasing their distinctive fragrance. Greens are heavily sloped and uneven — reading putts here is like solving a complex spatial geometry problem. Par-3 holes like 4 and 6 are frequent hole-in-one prize locations thanks to downhill tee shots into valleys.

Palm Course (B): Open Space & Strategic Traps

Features wide-open spaces with long fairways. Flatter than Cinnamon but still retaining natural ground undulations. Views extend to distant mountain ranges. Sand bunkers and water hazards are strategically placed at driver landing zones. Greens follow natural terrain slopes, requiring extremely precise approach shots.

Tea Course (C): Drama on Dam Hau Lake

Considered the "final boss" and most beautiful area of the entire project. Set entirely within Minh Quan Lake area, the Tea Course maximizes water features. Its signature characteristic is "Island" holes — golfers tee off from one small island, carry over water to fairways on another island, and attack greens on yet another separate island. Lush green tea hills winding around the holes create a picturesque landscape, turning each hole into a work of art.

Book via WinGolf — Official Partner

WinGolf is the official tee-time booking partner of Yen Bai Star Golf & Resort. Booking through WinGolf gives you:

• ✅ Competitive and transparent green fee pricing
• ✅ Tee-time confirmation within 15 minutes
• ✅ Stay & Play packages combining 5-star hotel + green fee
• ✅ Northwest golf tour itinerary consulting (Yen Bai – Sapa – Lao Cai)
• ✅ Shuttle booking support from Hanoi via Noi Bai – Lao Cai Expressway

WinGolf recommends booking 1–2 weeks in advance for weekends and holidays. For corporate groups and events, please contact us 1 month ahead for optimal service.

Nearby Northern Vietnam Golf Courses

Turn your trip into a perfect Northwest golf tour by combining Yen Bai Star with other world-class courses in the region. WinGolf provides tee-time booking for all courses listed below:

• Sapa Grand Golf Course — Vietnam's highest-altitude course (~1,600m), views of 3,143m Fansipan Peak, Pacific Coast Design, ~2 hours from Yen Bai.
• BRG Legend Hill Golf Resort — Nicklaus Design at Soc Son, Hanoi, ~90 minutes south of Yen Bai.
• Tam Dao Golf Resort — Historic Northern Vietnam course with year-round cool climate, ~50 minutes from Hanoi.
• Sky Lake Golf & Resort — 36 championship holes at Chuong My, Hanoi, featuring lakes and stunning scenery.
• Heron Lake Golf Course & Resort — Modern resort course in Northern Vietnam with an extensive lake system.
• Chi Linh Star Golf & Country Club — 36 holes at Hai Duong, one of Northern Vietnam's most established and prestigious courses.

WinGolf can build a 3–4 day Northwest Golf Tour combining Yen Bai Star + Sapa Grand + BRG Legend Hill, or a 5–7 day Northern Vietnam Golf Tour including coastal courses like FLC Ha Long, Tuan Chau, and Mong Cai.

Book your Yen Bai Star Golf tee-time now — 27 international holes, only 90 minutes from Hanoi.