We arrived at Da Lat Palace Golf Club at 5:30 in the morning, first tee of the day, and the whole place felt almost unreal. It was completely quiet with nobody else around, just that soft early light and the cool mountain air. The clubhouse looked small and old at first glance, but once we stepped inside it was clear how well looked after it was. Later we found out it was actually the very first golf course in Vietnam, established in 1922, which suddenly made the whole setting feel even more special. It is renowned for its historical significance and is considered one of the most famous golf courses in Asia.

The more we learned, the richer the experience felt. The course was originally designed by Charles H. Alison and Harry S. Colt in the 1920s. It was later built by Emperor Bao Dai in the 1930s and has gone through several renovations over the years. The most significant redesign came in 1994 when IMG Golf Course Design Services updated the layout. Knowing all of this made every fairway and green feel like part of a long story.

The weather was on our side and we were lucky enough to watch the sun rise as we made our way through the opening holes. The greens were very undulating but not overly fast, sitting around a comfortable medium speed. The fairways were cut short and played beautifully, and the rough was forgiving enough that you did not feel punished for every stray shot. The bunkers, on the other hand, were a bit of a challenge and getting out of them took some effort at times.

There were quite a few trees scattered throughout the course, which reminded me of courses back home in Australia. It had a mix of wide and narrow fairways and some really fun par threes that kept things interesting. Since we woke up so early, our daughter was exhausted and only managed to get through nine holes. She is definitely not an early riser. The second nine went by incredibly quick with just one player, almost like the course was giving us a private tour.

Scroll through the photos below from our day at Da Lat Palace Golf Club

The caddies, as always, were outstanding and honestly, every caddie we’ve had in Vietnam has been exceptional. They’re mandatory, but they’re also incredibly valuable: they know every inch of the course, point out the tricky spots, and offer genuinely helpful hints and tips throughout the round.

The weather stayed perfect the entire morning. Da Lat is known for its rain, and you could see signs of it in a few soggy patches around the course, but we were lucky enough to enjoy a sunny, comfortable day. Not too hot, not too cold and probably the most pleasant round we’ve played in a long time. It felt amazing to finish 18 holes without melting away.

Playing at the first golf course in Vietnam already felt special, but having such ideal conditions made it even better. Da Lat Palace Golf Club is definitely up there for us, and we’ll absolutely be back.

Practical Tips for Playing Da Lat Palace Golf Club

• Book morning tee times for the best weather
• Bring a light jacket as temperatures can shift quickly
• Caddies are mandatory but incredibly helpful
• Greens can run slower after rain
• Allow extra time for photos, the course is stunning

If you’re heading to Da Lat for golf, below are a few other experiences worth adding to your itinerary