On July 18, Vietnam's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism officially announced the reappointment of the Australian golf icon as the nation’s Tourism Ambassador for the 2025–2030 term. The decision honors his valuable contributions during his first term (2018–2021) and marks a strategic move to elevate Vietnam’s image as a luxury destination on the global golf map.
Born in 1955 in Queensland, Australia, Norman developed a passion for sports at an early age. Before turning to golf, he played rugby and cricket, popular sports in his homeland. It wasn't until the age of 21 that he took up golf professionally. His aggressive, fearless playing style soon earned him international fame and the enduring nickname “The Great White Shark.”
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Legendary golfer Greg Norman (Photo: Christian Berg) |
From 1983, Norman joined the PGA TOUR, a renowned golf tournament in the U.S., and went on to dominate the global golf scene throughout the 1980s and 1990s. He held the No.1 spot in the Official World Golf Ranking for a total of 331 weeks, a feat achieved by only a few legends, including Tiger Woods. Over his career, Norman won more than 90 championships across various continents, including two Open Championship titles, one of the four majors in professional golf.
Beyond his career on the green, Norman has built a reputation as a savvy entrepreneur. After stepping away from competition, he launched his own brand, expanding into golf course design, real estate, wine, and sports fashion. According to Wealthiest, his net worth is estimated at USD 350 million.
To date, he has designed over 100 golf courses worldwide, from the U.S. and Dubai to Vietnam. He first visited Vietnam in 2006 and immediately recognized its potential for golf tourism. KN Golf Links Cam Ranh, one of his designs, consistently ranks among the most beautiful golf courses in Asia. Norman’s other projects in Vietnam include BRG Da Nang Golf Resort and The Bluffs Ho Tram Strip, both located in Vietnam’s top tourist destinations of Da Nang and Ba Ria – Vung Tau.
In 2018, at a time when golf tourism in Vietnam was still in its early stages, Norman accepted the role as the country’s Tourism Ambassador. In an interview with CNN Travel, he remarked, “Vietnam has the potential to become Asia’s new golf paradise, but it’s essential to preserve its natural beauty while delivering world-class service.” Under his ambassadorship, Vietnam was named “Asia’s Best Golf Destination” for three consecutive years and claimed the title of “World’s Best Golf Destination” twice, in 2019 and 2021, by the World Golf Awards.
Norman’s influence extended beyond course design. He played a central role in bringing high-profile tournaments to Vietnam, notably the International Series Vietnam under the Asian Tour. Hosted at KN Golf Links Cam Ranh, this marked the first time a regional tournament has been held on a course he personally designed, signaling Vietnam’s growing status on the global professional golf map.
Norman now resides in the U.S. with his wife and two children. Off the course, he is a car enthusiast and is often seen with his signature Aston Martin.
At 69, Norman remains committed to promoting Vietnam’s golf tourism. During his second term as Tourism Ambassador, he plans to expand the country’s global golf profile through his social media platforms, which boast over 175,000 followers. He also aims to bring more international tournaments to Vietnam, develop world-class golf academies, promote women’s golf, and link golf with cultural heritage through events like the Heritage Golf Festival, which will take place in Hue, Quang Tri, and Da Nang.
At the official appointment ceremony, Norman expressed pride in continuing his journey with Vietnam. "I’m honored to serve again as Tourism Ambassador," he said. "I’ll do everything I can to help international travelers see Vietnam not only as a golf destination, but as a land of culture, natural beauty, and hospitality."
According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, reappointing Norman is a strategic move to popularize Vietnam’s tourism and build “golf diplomacy,” a soft-power bridge linking Vietnam with the international business, tourism, and sports communities.
Source: Vnexpress
Translated by Tran Hoai