Caddie service is a standard part of golf in Vietnam. At both Vinpearl Golf Club and Eschuri Vung Bau Golf on Phu Quoc, a caddie is included with every green fee — you are not playing without one. This page covers what to expect and how tipping works.
What a Caddie Does
Your caddie will carry your bag (or manage it on the buggy), clean your clubs after each shot, position the flag, and rake bunkers. Beyond the practical tasks, a good caddie will also read yardages for you, advise on which club to take based on the hole layout, and offer course knowledge on where to aim and where to avoid.
Caddies at Phu Quoc's courses are assigned at the pro shop before your round. You will typically be paired with a female caddie — this is standard practice across Vietnamese golf courses.
Do Caddies Speak English?
Most caddies at Vinpearl and Eschuri have a working knowledge of golf English — they understand distances, can communicate club suggestions and will let you know the direction of the hole and any hazards ahead. Conversational English varies between individuals. Communication on the course is generally straightforward for most visiting golfers, particularly around the practical elements of the round.
If you have specific questions about a hole — wind effect, carry distances over water — most caddies will do their best to help and are used to working with international visitors.
Caddie Tipping Guide
Tips are not included in the green fee and are paid in cash, directly to your caddie at the end of the round. Tipping is expected and is a meaningful part of caddie income.
Standard tip for a full 18-hole round: 200,000–300,000 VND per caddie. For a caddie who went above and beyond — excellent course reading, great communication, helped you recover a tricky situation — 300,000–500,000 VND is well received.
Tips in USD are generally accepted at the courses if you do not have VND. Most visiting golfers carry some small denomination VND for tipping — you can exchange currency at the airport or at major hotels on the island.
Buggy Service
A shared buggy is included in the green fee at both courses. Your caddie will typically ride on the back of the buggy and meet you at the ball. You drive the buggy yourself between shots. On hillier sections at Eschuri, the caddie may navigate separately on foot across some fairways.
Caddie Tips for a Better Round
Let your caddie know your typical carry distances early in the round — they will quickly calibrate club suggestions. If you have a tendency to slice or hook, mention it — a good caddie will adjust their read of the hole for you. Caddies know the course far better than any yardage book, especially in terms of how the ball runs out on certain greens and how the local wind patterns affect specific holes.
Is a caddie compulsory at Phu Quoc golf courses?
Yes. Caddie service is mandatory at both Vinpearl and Eschuri. You cannot play without one — it is part of the golf experience on the island and the cost is built into the green fee.
Can I request the same caddie for both courses?
Caddies work at their assigned course only. If you are playing both Vinpearl and Eschuri on separate days, you will have a different caddie at each. You can request a specific caddie by name at the pro shop if you played with them previously.
When do I pay the caddie tip?
Tip your caddie at the end of the round, after the 18th hole and before you leave the course. Cash only. The standard amount is 200,000–300,000 VND.
Do I need to bring cash for the caddie tip?
Yes. Tips are cash only — there is no way to add a tip through the booking or at card payment points. Most visitors exchange some VND at the airport or hotel on arrival. ATMs are available in the main town on Phu Quoc.