Entertainments

Cinemas & Theaters

Vietnam Golf & Country Club - Saigon
 

With two championship-length, 18-hole courses, tennis courts and a luxury housing estate, the Vietnam Golf and Country Club (VGCC) has something for everyone. Just thirty minutes from downtown Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), the club was the second to open in the southern city's environs, and has been the venue for many major golf tournaments since its inauguration in 1995.

The VGCC is home to two courses: East and West. The 6,946-yard, par 72 East Course was designed by Lee Trevino and opened in September 1997, while the very different West Course, par 72 and 7,106 yards, was designed by Taiwanese Master Golf Course Architect Cheng Kinh Shih and opened two years earlier.

The West Course features narrow fairways, flat greens and water hazards on 11 of its 18 holes. A unique hazard on this heavily-wooded course are trees which appear to be strategically placed on many of its par four and five holes, standing almost exactly on the desired target. Those flat greens provide a further challenge to players who must use all their skill and judgment to decide just where the fairways ends and the green begins. Although, once on the green, holing the ball is a far simpler affair than on the East Course.

In contrast to the West's forested environment, the East Course presents an series of open vistas to players, with most of the original woodland removed from its fairways. Don't be fooled by this expansive setting however: The course is challenging with water hazards coming into play on eight holes. The greens here are especially demanding featuring humps, bumps, slopes and plenty of sweeping breaks.

Located just 30 minutes' drive along Highway One from Saigon, the Vietnam Golf and Country Club is deservedly popular, especially with Saigon's expatriate population. Green fees are US$80 for 18 holes on weekdays, rising to $100 at weekends. Women can play nine holes for just US$40 on Thursdays. Other special deals are often available and it is worth checking with the club as to what's available before setting out from the city. The VGCC is also home to plenty of tournaments, both large and small, every month, and the club has been selected as the golf venue for the 2003 South East Asia (SEA) Games.

The club is well managed and the courses very well maintained. Clubs, shoes, trolleys, buggies etc. all available for rental. Robert Bicknell, the club's Director of Golf writes a golfing column for Vietnam News in its Sunday edition, and he also maintains a useful website at: www.pgavietnam.com

Vietnam Golf & Country Club
East Course Par 72 6,946 Yards
West Course Par 72 7,106 Yards
Cost 18 Holes Weekday $80 Weekends $100
Facilities include club house with bar and restaurant, Pro shop, club and shoe hire, tennis courts etc.
Address:
Long Thanh My Ward, District 9
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Tel: (84-8) 733 0129
Fax: (84-8) 825 2954

Health Clubs & Fitness Centres

 

EQUINOX FITNESS CENTRE @ Equatorial Hotel 242 Tran Binh Trong District 5 Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (84-8) 839 0000	Profesionally managed health & fitness club featuring fully equipped gym, sauna, massage and Jacuzzi, plus large swimming pool and beautiful sun deck.Open to members, hotel guests and paying non-members. Recommended.
CARAVELLE CLUB Caravelle Hotel 19 Lam Son Square District 1 Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (84-8) 823 4999	Excellent spa, pool and fitness centre open to hotel guests, members and daily visitors. Daily fee $18.00 Recommended.
CLARK HATCH FITNESS CENTRE Sofitel Plaza Hotel 17 Le Duan District 1 Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (84-8) 824 1555	Professional, well-equipped gym and fitness centre catering to hotel guests and outside members. Recommended.
LANDMARK HEALTH CLUB & FITNESS CENTRE Landmark Building 5B Ton Duc Thang District 1 Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (84-8) 822 2098	Well managed health club & fitness centre featuring fully equipped gym and pleasant swimming pool overlooking the Saigon River.
LEGEND HOTEL FITNESS CENTRE 2A-4A Ton Duc Thang District 1 Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (84-8) 823 3333	Well-equipped gym featuring a full complement of professional fitness equipment, free-form swimming pool, sauna, steam bath & massage.
ZANADU HEALTH CLUB Saigon Prince Hotel 63 Nguyen Hue District 1 Ho Chi Minh City Tel: (84-8) 8222 999	Good quality health, massage and fitness centre with sauna, Jacuzzi, steam room, various massage treatments.

Slot machines