Foreign investment in premium golf course and resort sectors in Vietnam
Golf courses and high-end resorts are becoming an attractive “gold mine” in the eyes of foreign investors in Vietnam. However, to turn investment ideas into reality, investors must clearly understand the legal framework, conditions, and licensing procedures in order to avoid risks. So, what should be noted when making foreign investment in golf courses and resorts in Vietnam?
Overview of foreign investment in premium golf course and resort sectors in Vietnam
Vietnam is an appealing tourism destination in Asia with strong growth in international visitors. Alongside, the government’s open investment policy has drawn many foreign investors to the fields of golf courses and resorts — a segment combining sport, leisure and premium real estate.
Growth potential of the premium golf course and resort market
According to statistics from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the number of international tourists to Vietnam is strongly recovering after the pandemic, leading to increasing demand for high-end leisure. Projects combining golf courses and resorts in places like Da Nang, Da Lat, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc, Quang Ninh or Binh Thuan are becoming new investment trends.
Importantly, foreign investment in the golf course sector not only brings direct business profits but also elevates the national tourism brand, helping to attract additional investment flows into infrastructure and supporting services.
Legal framework regulating investment activities
The golf course and resort sector falls into the conditional business lines, regulated by the Investment Law 2020, Decree 52/2020/ND-CP on investment in construction and operation of golf courses, along with regulations related to land, environment and tourism.
Foreign investors must satisfy conditions on financial capacity, land-use planning compliance, while also undertaking the procedures to obtain an Investment Registration Certificate and a Golf Course Business Licence.
If investors do not fully understand the legal procedures, the project can be delayed or refused approval due to non-compliance with planning or incomplete dossier.
Procedures and conditions for foreign investment in golf course and resort sectors in Vietnam
Investing in this sector not only requires large capital but also strict compliance with Vietnamese law. Below are key steps and conditions that investors need to grasp.
Conditions for foreign investors to be allowed to implement projects
Under current regulations, a foreign investor participating in a golf course and resort project must meet basic conditions such as:
Having financial capacity, with charter capital at least 20% of the total project investment.
The project being in line with national golf course development planning and local land‐use planning.
The investment land is not in a protected forest area, rice land, or in national defence/security zone.
Having a clear plan for environmental treatment, water usage and waste.
Proper evaluation of these conditions from the outset helps investors avoid the risk of licensing refusal or being forced to adjust project scale thereafter.
Procedure to obtain investment licensing and implement the project
To be granted a licence for foreign investment in golf course and resort sector, investors must carry out three main phases:
Apply for an Investment Registration Certificate (IRC) at the Department of Planning and Investment or the Economic Zone Management Board.
Carry out procedures for land allocation or lease at the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
Apply for a Construction Permit and a Certificate of Eligibility for golf course business in accordance with regulations of the Ministry of Planning and Investment.
In each phase, legal dossiers need to be prepared carefully, especially the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and the detailed investment project. Errors in the dossier may cause extended appraisal time or rejection.
Legal advice for foreign investors: Solutions accompanying DEDICA Law
Foreign investment in a specialised sector such as premium golf courses and resorts requires in-depth understanding of Vietnamese law. This is the reason why many investors choose to cooperate with DEDICA Law to receive full-service advice from legal due diligence to project implementation.
Benefits of having legal counsel from the very beginning
DEDICA Law boasts a team of business and foreign investment lawyers with extensive experience, having advised many companies and corporations in numerous investment projects across fields.
With legal counsel accompanying, investors are supported to:
Assess legal feasibility and viability of the investment location.
Draft and review licensing dossiers, ensuring full compliance with legal regulations.
Advise on optimal legal structure to protect foreign investor rights.
Represent the investor in dealings with state agencies to shorten procedure time.
Specialised legal services of DEDICA Law in foreign investment sector
Beyond investment procedure advice, DEDICA offers comprehensive legal services for investors such as:
Advising on establishment of foreign-invested enterprises.
Drafting and negotiating investment cooperation agreements (MOU, Joint Venture, PPP).
Supporting the application for, and adjustment of, Construction Permits, tourism licences, golf business licences.
Advising on tax, profit repatriation and resort brand protection in Vietnam.
With the motto “Legal Partnership – Protecting Success”, DEDICA Law not only helps investors fully comply with regulations but also optimises legal cost and project implementation time.
Foreign investment in the field of premium golf courses and resorts in Vietnam is opening great opportunities, but only for investors who master the legal framework and have a suitable legal strategy.
If you are preparing or have already initiated a project in this sector, do not let legal risks slow your progress.
Contact DEDICA Law – a professional legal advisory firm, accompanying foreign investors in every phase of the project.
📞 Hotline: (+84) 39 969 0012 (Support via WhatsApp, WeChat and Zalo)
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