First public university to offer golf as subject

For the first time a public university in Vietnam will offer golf training to its students. This will be a subject that students can choose to practice besides football, swimming, badminton, table tennis, and other sports.

Hanoi National University plans to introduce golf to students in the next academic year.

Mr. Nguyen Viet Hoa, Director of the Center for Sports and Physical Education of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU), said the Center was cooperating with a golf academy to invest in facilities and training for lecturers.

Golf courses will be piloted from the 2021-2022 academic year. After about one year of evaluation, the subject will be put into general teaching. Students can choose to study this subject similar to other sports.

From the 2021-2022 academic year, golf teaching will be piloted at Vietnam National University, Hanoi. Photo: VNU

“Studying this high-end sport at school will help students feel more confident, because golf is a specialized sport. If other sports require competition, golf is primarily based on the score set by oneself. This subject also helps people learn how to surpass themselves. On the other hand, golf will also be useful for the future, to help students communicate and expand social relationships,” Hoa said.

As the first public university to introduce golf training, Hoa said that VNU encountered certain difficulties.

“In many countries, this is a popular sport. However, in Vietnam, golf has not really developed. This new approach will bring about difficulties, especially in terms of facilities. In addition, teacher training will also take time, but most physical education teachers have a good background as they are sport practictioners, so it is not too difficult to approach golf," Hoa said.

When golf is officially introduced, VNU’s Center for Sports and Physical Education will provide all equipment and training tools for students. Tuition fees are the same as regular credits and students do not have to pay additional fees.