Australian golf legend reappointed as Vietnam’s Tourism Ambassador
The reappointment of Australian golf legend Gregory John Norman as Vietnam’s Tourism Ambassador for 2025-2030 is a strategic move to attract high-end international tourists, particularly from the US and Australia, boosting Vietnam’s reputation as a diverse tourism hub.
Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Ho An Phong (R) officially presents the decision appointing global golf legend Gregory John Norman as Vietnam’s Tourism Ambassador for the 2025–2030 term. (Photo: titc.vn)
Hanoi (VNA) - Australian golf legend Gregory John Norman has been reappointed as Vietnam’s Tourism Ambassador for 2025-2030, announced by De💃puty Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Ho An Phong on July 18.
Phong praised Norman’s impactful golf career and his role in promoting Vietnam’s golf tourism during his first term from 2018 to 2021. His efforts helped position Vietnam as a premier golf destination, contributing to the country’s growth in international tourism, which saw 17.6 million visitors, including over 3 million golfers, in 2024.
In his new term, Norman said he will do his utmost to promote Vietnam not only as a premier golf destination, but also as a land of heritage, nature, culture, and friendly people, thus expanding Vietnam’s tourism appeal worldwide. His plans include organising international golf events, launching the Greg Norman Golf Academy, and providing advice on sustainable golf course development. He will also connect golf tourism with cultural and heritage tourism through events like the Heritage Golf Tournament in central Vietnam.
Under Norman’s first term, Vietnam won the title of “Best Golf Destination in Asia” for eight consecutive years and “Best Golf Destination in the World” in 2019 and 2021.
His reappointment is a strategic move to attract high-end international tourists, particularly from the US and Australia, boosting Vietnam’s reputation as a diverse tourism hub./.
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Following the recent administrative restructuring that merged the city with the neighbouring provinces of Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau, HCM City now boasts 681 potential tourist sites. With a population of over 14 million, it has become Vietnam’s largest intra-provincial tourism market, both in scale and in diversity.
The three-month contest aims to encourage content creators and travel lovers to showcase the beauty of the landscapes, people, and culture of Vietnam through short videos, to international audiences in an emotionally engaging and modern way.
In the first seven months of 2025, Quang Ninh welcomed over 14.6 million tourists, including more than 2.6 million international visitors. Ha Long Bay alone drew about 20% of these visitors, making safety on the bay an unwavering priority for provincial authorities and relevant agencies.
In recent years, both former Da Nang city and Quang Nam province ranked among Vietnam’s top tourist destinations thanks to distinctive tourism products. Since their administrative mergence into new Da Nang city on July 1, fresh socio-economic development space has opened, with sustainable integration particularly in tourism – one of the areas with the greatest potential.
Bai Dinh Pagoda is the only in the list to be granted the green-tick status, indicating the site's remarkable credibility among international visitors.
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With new direct flights from major Indian cities like Hyderabad and Bengaluru, Vietnam is becoming an increasingly compelling destination for Indian tourists seeking a quick, emotionally rich four-day escape that blends luxury, culture, and natural wonder.
By source market, China continued to lead with 3.1 million visitors, equivalent to 25.5% of all foreign arrivals. The Republic of Korea followed with 2.5 million, or 20.7%. Other major markets included Taiwan (China) with 737,000, the US with 522,000, and Japan with 380,000.
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Sunset Town unfolded like a living fairytale. Every street and hidden corner recalls iconic European landmarks – from Venice’s San Marco Bell Tower and Paris’s Arc de Triomphe to Almafi-style squares and cobblestone paths reminiscent of southern Italy.
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