Our final stop was on the outskirts of the wonderfully chaotic Ho Chi Minh City at the oldest golf course in the country: Vietnam Golf & Country Club.

This 36-hole complex features two good-quality golf courses, which are divided by mature palm trees and other native vegetation. Lee Trevino designed the newer East Course in 1997, while Taiwan’s Chen King Shih was the man behind the 25-year-old West Course.

We opted to play the original layout and were immediately impressed by the strategic nature of the tree-lined design.

“Laguna weaves its way through trees, over rice paddies, along the beach and around natural streams and rock formations.”

One of the highlights of the par-72 – apart from its night-golf capabilities, abundant birdlife and true-rolling Bermuda greens – comes midway through the round, at the par-4 11th.

The 397-metre task doglegs left and features an imposing palm tree in the middle of the fairway, something that should generate plenty of conversation within your playing group as it did ours. The slightly-elevated green is wide but quite shallow, so correct club selection becomes vitally important for your approach shot.

Vietnam G&CC also offers on-site accommodation, insightful caddies, restaurants and spacious locker rooms, which served as an excellent place to reflect on my entire week before rushing to the airport and sitting down next to my new friend, Beryl.

Laguna Lang Co. PHOTO: Supplied.

WHERE TO EAT

The population of Vietnam has doubled in size to more than 95 million since the end of the war in 1975. Its people are warm-hearted, welcoming and enthusiastic about sharing their unique culture, which has been heavily influenced by the Chinese and the French. Perhaps that’s why food is spoken about with such passion.

Throughout our journey – visiting Hoi An, Ba Na Hills, Da Nang and Saigon – we sampled everything from banh mi (baguettes) and pho (noodle soup) to Vietnamese spring rolls and fish cakes.

Mai Fish, in Hoi An, is situated in a heritage house on the banks of the Thu Bon River and serves most of the aforementioned, classic Vietnamese dishes.

So, too, does the Racha Room in Ho Chi Minh City. It also doubles as an intimate cocktail bar and serves modern interpretations of South East Asian cuisines.

Meanwhile, in Da Nang, you will find what seems like an endless selection of rooftop bars, jazz clubs and restaurants.

WHERE TO STAY

•          Located south of Hoi An, Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An covers the coast of Binh Minh beach and features everything from luxury villas, restaurants and bars to theme parks and safari tours. The five-star resort is also home to Vinpearl Golf Nam Hoi An.
www.vinpearl.com

•          Should you wish to extend your time atop Ba Na Hills and take in everything the 19th century French Village has to offer, Mercure Danang French Village Ba Na Hills offers elegant, four-star rooms with panoramic views over the city of Da Nang.
www.mercure-danang-banahills-french-village.com

•          The four-star Monarque Hotel Danang is situated just two minutes from the iconic My Khe Beach and features comfortable rooms and an impressive rooftop swimming pool.
www.monarquehoteldanang.vnhotel.site

•          Anybody planning on playing the Faldo-designed Laguna Golf Lang Co should really consider staying in Hue, at the spectacular Vedana Lagoon Resort & Spa – which offers luxury rooms and the first over-water bungalows in Vietnam. The resort also boasts extensive spa treatments, an indoor gym and numerous places to wine and dine.
www.vedanalagoon.com

•          In bustling Ho Chi Ming City, Hotel Nikko Saigon offers five-star luxury and spacious rooms within the CBD of HCMC. The hotel is just 20 minutes’ drive from the international airport.
www.hotelnikkosaigon.com.vn