Hoiana Encapsulates Everything We Love About Travelling To Vietnam

Hoiana is an interesting proposition, as far as luxury travel goes. We’ve waxed lyrical about it as one of those resort destinations that, in and of itself, is reason enough to visit a certain city or country. And we’ve already visited it three years ago. In our last visit, former AUGUSTMAN Malaysia Deputy Editor Stuart Danker noted immediately the expansive lobby, its vastness a result of extraordinarily high ceilings and large swaths of space. That has remained the same, but the resort as a whole has been steadily growing and carving a unique space in Vietnam’s tourism landscape.

Today, Hoiana is no longer just a “promising project” on a quiet stretch of the Central Coast. It has matured into a nearly 1,000-hectare behemoth that challenges the traditional definition of a “resort.” While most luxury stays in Vietnam pride themselves on being boutique escapes or heritage-mimicking villas, Hoiana has embraced the “Integrated Resort” (IR) model with a scale and architectural audacity that makes it a veritable enclave.

The architectural diversity within Hoiana allows it to cater to distinct archetypes of luxury, ensuring that every guest finds a space that aligns with their specific rhythm of travel. For those seeking a high-octane experience, the Hoiana Hotel & Suites serves as the resort’s glamorous anchor, offering a sophisticated, all-suite environment with dedicated butler service and direct proximity to the vibrant casino floor. In contrast, the New World Hoiana Beach Resort leans into a contemporary “coastal calm” aesthetic, prioritizing sustainable design and family-oriented luxury with expansive lagoon pools and an impressive 2,700-square-meter kids’ club. Travelers seeking a more localized, value-driven retreat often gravitate toward the New World Hoiana Hotel, which emphasizes “Asian dynamism” through urban-inspired interiors and social spaces that feel deeply connected to the energy of Central Vietnam. Finally, the Hoiana Residences cater to the long-term guest or families requiring independence, providing fully-equipped apartments that blend the comforts of a private home with the seamless amenities of a five-star integrated resort.

What makes Hoiana rare in Vietnam isn’t just the sheer acreage, but the intent behind its sprawl. In a country where luxury often translates to quiet and secluded, Hoiana offers grand and multi-faceted experiences. It is one of the few places in Southeast Asia where a world-class championship golf course and four distinct luxury hotels coexist with a four-kilometer stretch of private, untouched beach. The resort has recently pivoted under new leadership to a destination-first strategy, creating a lifestyle powerhouse that bridges the gap between the region’s business utility and its inherent cultural charm.

The Hoiana Shores: A Links Masterpiece

For those of us who prefer the green to the felt, the Hoiana Shores Golf Club remains the resort’s crown jewel. Designed by Robert Trent Jones Jr., it is a true links course—a rarity in Southeast Asia where tropical parkland styles usually dominate. The course plays through massive sand dunes with holes that hug the coastline, forcing players to contend with the shifting winds of the East Sea.

As we look toward the 2026 season, the resort is already moving into Phase 2 of its development. This US$1.1 billion expansion will introduce a second golf course and a professional training academy, further cementing the resort’s status as the “St. Andrews of the East.”

Hoiana Shores Golf Club is designed by the legendary Robert Trent Jones Jr., it is Vietnam’s first true links course, a Scotland-meets-the-East-Sea masterpiece carved out of pure, white sand dunes. The lack of artificiality is what truly sets it apart, as the land dictated the holes rather than the other way around. There are no imported materials here, and the course relies on native vegetation and the natural contours of the dunes, earning it status as Asia’s first GEO Certified sustainable golf property.

The golfing experience is defined by the elements, particularly on the back nine where holes play directly along the water’s edge. In a poetic nod to the heritage of nearby Hoi An, the pins are topped with lanterns rather than traditional flags. When the coastal breeze picks up, the game transforms into a strategic battle of risk and reward, creating a golf symphony where the rhythm is set by the crashing waves and the shifting sands.

If the golf course represents the resort’s soul, then NOX Beach Club is its high-energy heartbeat. Spanning 5,000 square meters of prime beachfront, NOX has effectively redefined what entertainment looks like on the Central Coast. It is a multi-experiential gastronomy hub centered around a massive freeform lagoon pool, flanked by cozy cabanas and sun loungers. The venue features six innovative culinary spaces, ranging from the Seafood Shack’s South American crudo techniques to the authentic Italian flavors of Osteria and a high-end reimagining of local street food classics.

As day turns to night, the atmosphere at NOX shifts into a sophisticated party spot. Saturday pool parties with live DJs and fire shows illuminate the shoreline, while curated events like mid-week social nights ensure the energy remains consistent. Adding to the golf and luxury offerings, NOX is the social anchor of the entire complex.

Beyond the Gates: The Magic of Hoi An

While it is tempting to never leave the air-conditioned vastness of the Hoiana lobby or the poolside comfort of NOX, the resort’s proximity to the UNESCO World Heritage site of Hoi An is its greatest geographic asset. A fifteen-minute shuttle ride transports you from the ultra-modernity of the resort to a town frozen in the 17th century. For the luxury traveler, Hoi An offers a slow-burn cultural experience that perfectly balances Hoiana’s high-energy offerings.

The town’s tailoring tradition remains a primary draw, where bespoke silk blazers and traditional garments are crafted with world-renowned speed and skill. As dusk falls, the Hoai River becomes a mosaic of floating lights, offering a meditative experience during the monthly Lantern Festival. If you choose, you can go on round bamboo boat rides. They sit two people (minus rower) and cruise downstream to one of the river’s confluences, where a festival atmosphere unravels: floating karaoke platforms, stunt performers on boats, and even boats selling candy, drinks or souvenirs.’

At Hoi An, visitors can also wander into ancient merchant homes like the Old House of Tan Ky to witness a unique blend of Japanese, Chinese, and Vietnamese architecture, or dive into the local culinary scene to find a new wave of slow cuisine that elevates regional ingredients. We recommend seeking out Cao Lau (thick rice noodles) or Banh Mi Phuong. For a more contemporary take on local ingredients, restaurants like Mùa or tok. are leading a new wave of “slow cuisine” in the region.

By 2029, when all development phases are slated for completion, Hoiana will be a multi-billion dollar testament to Vietnam’s luxury ambitions. It is a project that understands that luxury in the modern era is about variety. It is the ability to challenge oneself on a world-class links course in the morning, lose oneself in the labyrinth of ancient yellow-walled alleys by noon, and end the night with a signature cocktail at NOX. Hoiana has grown up since our last visit, finally providing a destination that matches the immense scale of its own architecture.