The new Faldo Design course at Laguna Lang Cô in central Vietnam is open for play.

The course, part of a US$200 million resort development by Banyan Tree, is the first in the country to have zoysiagrass fairways. Tifeagle ultradwarf bermuda has been planted on the course's greens.

Sir Nick Faldo will host the official debut in March, but meanwhile the course is in a soft opening phases, with golfers able to access discounted green fees.

“We are really pleased with the way the course is coming along,” said director of golf Tim Haddon. “Sir Nick wanted a hard bump-and-run type of surface and that’s how it will play.”

Starting from an open rice-paddy-style environment beside a large lake, the layout moves towards the edge of a mountainous forest area before swinging towards the beach at the ninth hole and heading home through coastal duneland.